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The fact that Dalton was willing to growl and push, though? That melted his butter. Like better than the stuff on his pancakes, which he was looking forward to.

Dave ordered an omelet, they all got another round of coffee, and the pancakes showed, along with bacon and eggs and sausage and hash browns.Fucking A.

Tank fueled up. He would want a corn dog later, but that was as heavy as he could go right before he went to work. It was quiet for a full five minutes, and Buick even let Dave have a few bites until his food showed.

Dalton’s phone started going off, the texts and calls coming constantly once it turned ten.

He glanced at Dalton, then pressed a hand against Dalton’s thigh. “You need to head back? I can go.”

“You know how it is.”

Yeah, he did. Deb, Dalton, and Dustin were the heartbeat of the rodeo, and it was game day.

“I got you.” He nodded at Buick. “Y’all holler at me. Maybe around noon, noon thirty?”

“We’ll tear it up, buddy. I can’t wait.”

“Cool.” He grabbed their bill, then ate the last piece of Dalton’s sausage. No sense leaving it there.

“See y’all this afternoon. Make sure to stop and see Dustin. You can’t miss him.” Dalton raised a hand to the guys.

“Nice to meet you” came in a chorus.

“Y’all have a good one.” Dalton grabbed his hat.

Tank led the way out after paying the bill at the register. Once they made it outside, he glanced sideways at Dalton. “You okay?”

“I am. Dustin’s stressing the lineup, and Deb doesn’t love the setup of the chutes. You know how it is.” Dalton winked at him. “I think they want tacos and coffee and gossip.”

“I bet they do. You haven’t been alone together in weeks.” That was a long time for the Jakobys.

“We’re all eager to get home for a few weeks, you know?”

“I bet. Hell, your dad stayed.” He thought Pops Jakoby was looking forward to letting his kids take more and more of the business.

“Yeah. He’s happy to be there with Momma, I think.”

“She’s something else.” He loved that woman. “What a surprise, them showing up.”

“Yeah… sorta killed the afterglow, but that’s okay. You… they going to be staying with you here?” Oh, that was carefully asked.

“I was hoping to stay with you, baby.” He wasn’t gonna mince words. “I mean, they’re great guys, but they’ll want a hotel. I want to be with you.”

Oh, look at that smile, like the sun coming out from the clouds. “Well, you know I’d love that. You can meet my dogs.”

“I would really enjoy that.” He would. He missed having animals.

“Then we’ll head home Monday morning and be home in time to eat supper at Momma’s.”

“Sounds so good, baby.” It did. God, it sounded fine. Buick and his guys could figure shit out on their own.

“Yeah. Yeah, it does. Dustin will give your buddies a list of events and hotels.”

“Good deal. I love those guys. I do. But Lord they make me feel old.”

“You’re not a bit old. You turn me inside out.”

“Well, you inspire me.” Tank chuckled, pressing his hand over Dalton’s for a moment. “I mean, they’re still out partying every event. I like a beer and a meal and some TV, you know?”