Page 41 of Wild Card (Foster Bro Code #2)

Dalton

I held up my phone, using the selfie mode on my camera in place of a mirror to check my hair. Axel’s bathroom was tiny and primarily used as a storage closet, and I didn’t want to hog the brothers’ bathroom over at the house.

Frowning at my image, I flicked my short strands, trying to make them less unwieldy after rolling around in bed with Axel.

He wrapped his arms around my waist, hooking his chin on my shoulder. “I thought I was the vain one who cared about his hair. I don’t know if this relationship is big enough for two of us.”

I chuckled, heart fluttering at Axel so casually referring to this as a relationship. It hadn’t come easily to him, and I treasured every time he called me his boyfriend or said he loved me .

“You’ve got reason to be vain,” I said, turning to nuzzle his cheek. “Your hair is gorgeous. Mine is…stubborn.”

“Just like you,” he teased. “Strong-willed, a little stuffy, and sure that it’s right where it should be.”

My jaw dropped. “Rude!”

His phone rang, and he grinned as he reached for it. “Truth hurts. Don’t worry, Dalton. You look like the sexiest sheriff in town.”

Well, I’d take that. I gave up on my hair and smoothed my button-down shirt. We were going out to officially celebrate my appointment as sheriff. I’d still have to run for election in May, but there were no opponents filed, so it was a formality.

“No shit,” Axel said into the phone. “Already? Damn. That’s fantastic. Thanks so much, Allison. Yeah… Okay, I’ll get with you to formalize plans.”

He disconnected the phone, a grin stretching his mouth wider than I’d ever seen. “Word just came in that I’m going to get a grant for the foster program. I guess Allison submitted the application weeks before I agreed so we wouldn’t miss the deadline.”

“That’s amazing. How much are you getting?”

“Ten thousand. It’s not a ton, but it should be plenty to get started. Plus, the Riverton Community Foundation is kicking in extra funds for ‘Safe Surrender’ signs on the highway pointing folks to me, so I can take possession of the animals safely before finding them foster homes.”

“That’s great news.” I pulled him into a hug. “I’m so proud of you.”

He drew back. “You should be saying that to Allison. She made it all happen.”

“But you will do the real work,” I said. “And it’s only happening at all because you saw a need and tried to fill it. Give yourself some credit.”

He ducked his head, looking almost bashful. “Okay.”

“Looks like tonight’s dinner will be a celebration for both of us.”

“Oh, no,” he protested. “Tonight is about you. Being sheriff is a big deal.”

“Helping animals in need is a big deal, too.” I kissed his forehead. “Come on, we better get going, or we’ll be late. Your brothers know where to meet us?”

“Yep, they’ll be there.”

We headed out to the El Camino. Axel drove us over to the Fieldhouse.

He’d decided he better not show his face over at the pool hall for a while, and my family would be more at home in a sports bar anyway.

I’d only started going to Ball Breakers to avoid all the townspeople who wanted to talk shop whenever they saw me.

The guys at the pool hall just wanted to be left alone, like me.

That’s where I’d first seen Axel and been unable to look away. It felt like a million years ago that our eyes had met across the room, electricity crackling between us.

“Well, hello, Sheriff Harvey!” My sister pulled me into a big hug as I stepped through the door.

Mom was right after her. “So proud of you, honey! You deserve this.”

Dad slapped my arm. “They can’t keep a good man down.”

Bodie grinned. “You’re the top boss now. So cool.”

His little sister stood beside him, clinging to Camille’s arm, looking shy. “Good job, Uncle Dalton.”

I smiled and nodded, my heart still a little conflicted. My family was ecstatic about the news I’d taken the sheriff gig. It meant I wasn’t going anywhere. To them, it probably also meant that I’d put Shane’s death behind me.

But I’d always carry what happened with me, always feel a burden of responsibility to keep my deputies safe. But Axel had been right; it was the best possible way to honor my former partner.

I slipped an arm around my boyfriend, who was quieter than usual, and tugged him forward. “Everyone, this is my boyfriend, Axel. We’re celebrating him tonight too. He just landed a grant to start an animal foster program.”

“Oh, that’s great!” Camille said. “Congrats.”

I’d shared a few pics, so none of them were shocked that I’d gotten myself a bad boy.

He wore black jeans, chains hanging from the belt, a formfitting blue button-down that made his eyes pop, and a leather jacket.

For him, it was nicely dressed up. His hair was pulled into a knot behind his head, but I fully intended to set it loose as soon as we were alone.

“We’ve heard so much about you,” my mom said with a small smile. “Dalton sure is taken with you.”

Axel chuckled nervously. “The feeling’s mutual, even if I’m probably the last guy he wanted to fall for.”

My sister grinned. “I can tell you’ll keep him on his toes. That’s just what he needs.”

Axel relaxed. “I’ve been told I have that effect on people.”

She cackled. “Perfect!”

Bodie just gazed at him with wide eyes. Then he said in a hushed whisper to his mom, “He looks like a total badass.”

Maybe my nephew would finally transfer his hero worship to someone else. Though Camille wouldn’t thank me if he decided to cover himself in tattoos.

We made our way to a group of tables pushed together in the center of the room. Gail, the owner, was setting out menus. “Congrats, Sheriff. I’ll be right over to take drink orders.”

“Why don’t we just get a couple pitchers of beer to make it easy on you?” I suggested. “Plus one of soda for the kids.”

“Bless you, honey, that would be fantastic.”

“Just whatever’s on tap,” I said. “If anyone is picky, they can order something else.”

She nodded. “Okay, will do.”

Axel’s brothers and Gray’s boyfriend, Emory, joined us just as we were pulling out chairs.

“Sorry we’re late,” Holden said. “Had a last-minute business call.”

Axel wiggled his eyebrows. “Was it business time?”

Holden frowned. “Yes, Ax. I just said that.” He paused, gaze flickering around the table. “Nice to meet you all.”

Camille hopped up, offering her hand. “I’m Dalton’s sister.”

Holden hesitated a beat, then gripped her hand briefly. “Hi.”

Gray pushed forward, shaking the rest of the hands offered as Holden dropped into a seat and crossed his arms. Bailey reached forward, grasping any hands that Gray missed.

Axel hadn’t told me everything about his brothers, but he did say that Holden had trouble with touch, a result of childhood abuse.

I couldn’t even imagine how difficult that must be in a setting like this.

I’d seen him shake hands at community meetings, so he obviously could push through it sometimes, or maybe only to a certain extent?

Watching now, I could see how his brothers tried to step in and create a protective bubble around him.

I envied their closeness, and I was really glad they’d welcomed me into the fold.

As everyone got settled and exchanged introductions, my chest warmed to see them all come together.

My biological family had stood by me and loved me through some of my worst days.

But I had a feeling that Axel’s brothers would be my new Riverton family.

Hopefully the one that would be there for some of my best days ahead with Axel.

I clasped Axel’s hand on the table, gaze dropping to the tattoo on the inner side of his wrist, an infinity symbol with the words Bro and Code in each loop.

I brushed my thumb over it, thinking how lucky I was to have found a place among these guys.

Gail returned with the pitchers of beer and soda, and Dad took charge of pouring out drinks for the kids.

“Sheriff Harvey!” a deep voice called. I turned to see Chuck Pacer approaching. “Heard you’re the big dog now!”

“Looks that way.”

He pumped my hand. “Good, good. I’ve been trying to tell Hale for years about the noise nuisance that my neighbor is…”

So started the parade of townspeople who wanted to congratulate/complain. Axel put in an order for me, or I might have never gotten any dinner.

When the food arrived, he stood and cleared his throat. “The sheriff appreciates your congrats, but you all need to let him eat in peace now. You know his office hours. You can find him at the station.”

More than one eyebrow raised at his tone.

I smiled, planting a kiss on his cheek. “You all know my boyfriend, Axel Wilder, don’t you?”

“Unfortunately,” one person grumbled.

“He’s rude, isn’t he?” another whispered as they turned away.

“I can’t believe our sheriff’s gay!”

Axel grimaced when the last of them had drifted off. “Did I overstep? I don’t want to make things difficult for you.”

“Nope,” Camille answered for me. “Dalton is too nice. It’s good to set boundaries.”

I nodded. “She’s right. It’s tough for me to tell them to leave me alone, but you’re welcome to tell them to shove off anytime.” I dropped into my seat. “Damn, I’m starved.”

We tucked into an assortment of burgers, chicken strips, rings, and fries. It wasn’t nearly as good as the food at Jerkers, but we compromised for the sake of beer.

Bailey and Bodie hit it off, talking about TikTok and other shit I didn’t follow. Holden was charming the heck out of my father by the intent expression on his face. Gray and Emory were whispering together, caught up in their own world, while my mother looked on with a sappy smile.

We finished up the food, and gradually, my family said their goodbyes so they could make the drive back to Granville.

“Make sure you bring Axel to dinner next weekend,” Mom said as she leaned in to kiss my cheek. When she repeated the move on Axel, his eyes shot wide. “I want to know everything about how you got together!”

“Uh…” Over my dead body would my mother ever hear that story.