Tacker (Arizona Vengeance #5)(33)

But that’s all stuff I’ve kept compartmentalized because I knew the importance of appreciating her as a counselor.

Fuck Dominik, but now he’s making me wonder.

He swings his legs out from the picnic table, tapping his knuckles on it for effect. “Not even going to tell you to think about it, Tacker. Just keep an open mind.”

Lifting my chin in acknowledgment, because he owns the team and I don’t want to be disrespectful, I make it seem like I’ll do just as he asks. However, there’s no fucking way I’m going to think about Nora like that.

No way.

No how.

Dominik leaves, heading in Nora and Raul’s direction. They both stand and shake hands with him when he gets there, which indicates he’s going to be leaving soon. While his words unsettled me just now, I still can’t help but be extremely impressed by his personal interest in this team. Coming out here, bringing Nora that tractor… I hate to admit it because I’m pissed about where he just went with Nora and me, but damn it… he’s a good guy.

Regan walks by, pausing to ask if I need anything. I still haven’t eaten much yet, so I take a seat at the table and a rib in hand, I shake my head. “Just five minutes to eat, and I’ll be ready to get back out there.”

“Okay,” she says, starting to move off.

But then something strikes me. Something I’d been thinking about for a few days but had been struggling with. “Hey, Regan.”

She pivots. “What’s up?”

“I actually need some help baking something tomorrow morning,” I say.

Regan moves a few steps closer, frowning at my statement. “Baking?”

“Yeah… a cake,” I clarify. “And well, I suck at anything involving baking or cooking. I could use some help.”

“I can’t tomorrow,” she says with heavy regret. “I’m pulling a shift at the clinic.”

“Oh, okay,” I say. “No worries.”

She smiles and leaves, heading over to where Dax stands with Aaron and Legend. She wasn’t allowed to work with us today—Dax’s orders—given her hospitalization last week. She’d stayed up here at the barn, helping with food and just chilling with the other wives and girlfriends. Regan’s assimilating into the team family well.

“We’re heading out, Tacker,” I hear Erik say, and I twist to look his way. He’s pushing Billy’s wheelchair, Blue walking behind them. “He’s tired, and we’re going to get him back.”

I knew they wouldn’t stay the entire day, but I’m so appreciative of them coming out for a bit.

Leaning to the side, I reach my hand out to Erik. He leans over to shake mine. “Thanks for coming out, brother.”

“Thanks for inviting us,” Blue says with a smile. “Billy had a wonderful time.”

Billy’s smile is wan. He’s totally whipped. I reach out to him, closing my hand into a fist. “Got a bump for me?”

His smile gets a little bigger. While he can’t extend his arm all the way due to contractures, I’m close enough that our fists are able to touch.

“Fist bump,” I exclaim. Opening my hand, I make an explosion sound. “Blow it up.”

Billy rocks with laughter, grinning broadly now before yawning.

They start to move off, but then another thought hits me. “Hey, Blue.”

She turns to me questioningly.

“You know how to bake?” I ask.

“Um… yeah,” she replies, her head tilting. “What’s up?”

“I really need help tomorrow morning with making something. I’m going to screw it up if I don’t have help, and I can’t afford to screw it up. It’s important.”

“No, no, no,” Erik answers for her, taking three steps toward us while pulling Billy’s wheelchair with him. “You promised tomorrow to me, babe, remember?”

Blue looks torn, because I apparently just intruded on their plans. But fuck it… I really need the help and it’s super important.

So I pull out a card I had not ever considered playing, pinning Erik with my gaze. “You remember when you needed a favor and I came through for you without hesitation?”

Erik’s shoulders slump, and he nods. He’s remembering back when things had gone to hell between him and Blue, and he asked me to go check on Billy for him. I’d been on suspension and hadn’t minded in the slightest, but still… he’d told me he owed me one and I could collect at any time.

“I only need her for maybe an hour, dude,” I tell Erik. “And we can do it early, so it shouldn’t interfere with your plans.”

“I’d love to help you,” Blue says with a reassuring smile, putting her hand on Erik’s shoulder. She squeezes, adding to me, “Six AM okay?”

Fuck, that was early, but yes… that works for me. “Sounds awesome. Thanks.”

“What are we baking?” she asks.

“Shendetlie,” I reply.

“What’s that?”

“No clue, but I’ll figure it out tonight and buy all the stuff. Can we do it at your house? I don’t really have anything to bake with at my place.”

“Sure,” she replies, looking very intrigued.

I hope I’m doing the right thing by trying to make this for Nora. It has meaning for her, but I also know tomorrow will be a rough day for her. I want to do something nice as a means of thanking her for sharing her pain with me, and so she knows she’s got a friend to lean on.