Page 24 of No More Lies

Steve picked up his water. “Hopefully, we can talk when she gets home later, and Megan is asleep.”

“You know if you need me to watch Megan, you only have to ask. Give you guys some space.”

“I appreciate that. By the time she gets home, Megan will be in bed. Plus, you all are likely wheels up soon.”

“I guess. Don’t know much about it. Team brief is tomorrow. It’ll be weird going without you, brother.”

“It will be weird staying behind, but I got to do this Donnie. I have to try.”

“I get it.”

Megan came bouncing back as Taylor Swift burst into song. Donnie groaned. “Not Taylor Swift.”

“Yes,” Megan replied proudly. “And I hit repeat three times.”

“Oh, no, kill me now!” Donnie faked stabbing himself in the heart and Megan laughed.

Carly brought their food, and they chatted nonsense as they ate. Steve was glad Donnie was here. His daughter was having a great time with him. She loved spending time with the team. Going to Dex’s team barbecues had become one of her favorite things. As the only kid of a team member, his buddies all spoiled her, and she loved it.

When Carly had cleared their plates, Jerry walked over.

“Hey, Steve, can I borrow Megan?”

“You know child labor is illegal, right?”

“Now you tell me. But I think Megan might like this task. You see I just got two new ice cream flavors, and I need a tester.”

“I’ll do it! Please, Daddy?”

“Go ahead, but not too much.”

“I promise.”

“Thanks, Jerry. And I don’t just mean for this.”

“You’re welcome.”

Donnie raised his eyebrows at him. “Did you get that pissed?”

“Yeah, he took my truck keys and called Dex.” Steve took a sip of water. His head was finally feeling normal.

“Ouch. Fuck, man. We’ll have to tell him to call me next time.”

“There won’t be a next time. I forgot how bad hangovers are.”

“What happened? It’s been a long time since you got that wasted.”

“I went to surprise Diane at work. Things started off well, then went to shit, and I said some stuff I shouldn’t have.” He raked a hand through his hair. “I needed to blow off some steam.”

“Then you should have called me.” Donnie raised his beer to him. “You know I’d have come right here.”

“To be honest, Donnie, I thought you and Mackie might be here, but you weren't, and we’d just got back. Didn’t seem fair. So, I befriended a bottle of whiskey instead.”

“Shit. How was Dex?”

“He was cool. I crashed at his place. He wouldn’t let me go home until I sobered up.”

“Good call.”