Page 95 of Unlikely to Stay
“That I do.”Brant held out his hand.“Shall we?”
She took the hand he offered, loving the feel of how well hers fit in his.“We shall.”
They were finally officially goingout in Parker together.As a couple.Brant knew it was a big deal for CC but it was something he had wanted to do for a while.She had become such an important part of his life he wanted people to know it.The only problem was caring for her the way he did seriously made his decision of what to do when his time at Parker had ended that much more complicated.Her life was here.His mom was in the city.Since he didn’t see either of them moving, he had no clue what to do.
They hopped in his Honda and drove the short distance to Griff’s.“Are you ready to give them something to talk about?”
She nodded.“Ready.”
They walked into the bar hand in hand.All the heads of people enjoying lunch turned their way and the bar…well, it went totally silent.
“Well, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.If it ain’t the doc and the hair cutter.”Marty Samson was sitting in the corner, a huge plate of chili cheese fries in front of him.His partner in crime, Burt Gallagher, was sitting in the booth opposite him.
“Didn’t I tell you my woman caught them neckin’ in that gym she’s building?Apparently, they were right in the throes of almost doin’ it before Kelda caught ’em,” Burt said, loud enough for every patron of the bar to hear him.
Brant rolled his eyes.It appeared their luck had ended.“Burt.Marty,” he said, waving to the old men.“How are you doing today?”
“I can see I’m not doing as good as you,” Marty said with a wink.“Colleen, when are you gonna cut my hair again?I’m gettin’ shaggy.”
Brant hid a smile behind his hand.Marty had a thin ring of hair above his ears.That was it.He didn’t think it could even be cut.But Freckles just smiled and said, “Whenever you want.Marty.You know I take walk-ins.”
“Just don’t want to interrupt anything with you and the doc,” Marty said with a waggle of his eyebrows.“If you’re doin’ it in the gym you might be doin’ it on the—”
“Well, well, well,” Griff walked up to the duo and wrapped his arm around Brant’s shoulder, interrupting what Marty was about to say.Brant really tried not to laugh as Marty flipped not one, but two birds, at Griff’s back for the interruption.“If it isn’t CC and BB, two of my favorite people.”
“BB?Really, man?”
Griff grinned.“Cees is Colleen Chandler, so CC.You’re Brant Billings.Figured I’d give you a nickname, BB.It makes sense.”
“Oh, if you want a nickname, I’ve been calling him—”
Before CC could announce her ridiculous nickname for him to the entire bar, he covered her mouth with his hand.“BB is fine, man.But only if you’re the only one who uses it.”
“CC’s nickname for you must bebad,” Griff said with a knowing smile.“Come on over here.I’ve got the back corner booth so maybe you’ll have some privacy.”
Brant and CC followed Griff to the empty booth.Griff hopped in next to CC and grinned.“So, guys.Out in public for the first time?”
“I take it Breckin told you about us,” CC said, rolling her eyes.
“Of course.Did you expect her to keep it a secret?”
“No.Neither of my friends can keep their big mouths shut.”
“Well, Iamprettycharming,” he said with a laugh.“She doesn’t stand a chance.Besides…it’s been what?Three months already?I’m surprised no one has called you out yet.The entire town knows.”
“They do?”
Griff nodded.“Absolutely.I hear everything in here.”
“Like what?”Brant asked.
“Cees is moving to the city with you, you’re buying the clinic and staying here, you knocked her up…”
“I am mostdefinitelynot knocked up!”CC said indignantly.
“No offense, but I’m glad.Can you imagine two of your trio being pregnant at the same time?”Griff shook his head.“Y’all are scary enough as it is without adding pregnancy into the mix.”
CC smiled.“Are you still talking to Breck’s belly?”