Page 78 of Skin Game

“Hey everyone, this is my brother Mickie and his—” Casey hesitated for just a second—“his partner, Pedro Morales.”

From the smiles plastered on Mickie’s and Pedro’s faces, Casey knew that he’d said the right thing.

EPILOGUE — GABRIEL — MAY

“Gabriel?” Casey called his name, managing to pack exasperation, confusion, and affection into just three tiny syllables.

Gabe was in their new-to-them kitchen, putting the vintage dishes that he’d just unpacked and washed into the cabinets where they now belonged. Nothing matched, the plates weren’t the same sizes, and a few were irreplaceable if they got broken. Gabe loved them all.

Three short weeks ago, they’d closed on their house. The very same house that Shay and Claribel had rented. Was it a bit big for two people? Maybe, but they’d already proven that they had plenty of room for guests. It was close to Greta and Abby, as well as Pedro and Mickie. There was a big yard for Bowie and lots of nooks and crannies for Keith. Gabe had declared Casey in charge of the outdoor stuff while he had dived into putting their stamp on the inside.

“What?” Gabe replied, knowing full wellwhat. That’s why he had picked up two packs of paper plates at the store yesterday.

Casey was returning from a last-minute trip to Norskland General Store because Barry had called to let them know a shipment with brand-new flavors of Jewel Creamery ice cream hadarrived. Since Casey was the very best partner, he’d volunteered to pick up a pint or five for the housewarming party. Guests were expected in two hours.

Gabe listened to the sound of Casey’s footsteps coming toward the kitchen. When he came through the door, he was carrying the bag with the ice cream in it.

“My hero, again,” Gabe said dramatically.

“Barry said he’d see us soon. Are he and Mercy coming? Do I want to know who you haven’t invited?” Casey asked as he crossed to the fridge and popped the ice cream into the freezer.

Gabe pretended to think about it. “The only people not invited are those who are behind bars. I can’t say who’s coming. Maybe no one.”

“As if. Barry and Mercy are for sure. They said Brooklyn might stop by with her new boyfriend.”

“Good, so at least two plus. I hope we have enough food. There’s nothing worse than running out of snacks.”

Casey stood there for a minute, then shook his head and leaned in to give Gabe a quick buss on the cheek. “So, the whole island is coming over?”

“I don’t think Deputy Eagan will make it, not now that she’s officially been tapped to be the sheriff.”

The Piedras Island relations were coming too, but Gabe and Casey were both ignoring that fact. They weren’t something a person could prepare for. They just happened, like a major storm system.

“A win all around,” said Casey, leaning one hip against the counter, directly next to where Gabe had been working.

“Damn right.”

Did they have time to head upstairs and test out the new mattress again? He figured not, but a guy could dream.

“When does this thing start again?” Casey asked, twisting to grab a glass out of a cabinet and fill it with water from the pitcher they stored in the fridge.

“Oh, Casey, babe, it’s already started. Haven’t you realized that it’s always a party when I’m around? Twenty-four seven.” Gabe shook his hips, mimicking a cheesy disco move, and sauntered close enough to trap Casey against the front of the refrigerator and plant a real kiss on his lips. Maybe they did have time to go upstairs after all.

The doorbell interrupted them, sending Bowie into a fit of barking.

“Bowie, quiet. Who’s that?” Casey asked.

“I think the only way to find out is to answer the door.” Releasing Casey, Gabe spun on his heel and headed to the front door. “Maybe we need one of those porch video things,” he said over his shoulder.

Pulling the door open, Gabe was surprised to find the island’s newly minted sheriff on the other side.

“Sheriff Eagan, are your ears burning? We were just talking about you. Official congratulations on the promotion by the way.”

He noted that she’d parked her cruiser across the drive as if she was in a hurry, and there was a serious expression on her face.

Shit. His heart started to race. “What’s up? Did something happen? Elton?”

Elton was as healthy as an older senior could be, but Gabe worried about him. He was as close as Gabe was going to get to a father figure.