Z chuckled. “Right. ’Cause I do silence so well.”
“You should try it sometime,” RT muttered.
It didn’t look like the night was looking up. Another attempt to get close to RT had failed, though Z knew that when all of his attempts were added together, he was making progress. RT might not think so, but Z knew better.
It was only a matter of time before this thing between them ignited, and no amount of water would be able to put it out.
Z was just waiting for the opportunity.
Until then, he’d simply have to hone his patience.
THREE
One week later – Friday
COYOTE RIDGE WAS THE SAME as it had been four months ago, when Ryan had last visited when they’d come to assist Brendon Walker apprehend Cheyenne Montgomery’s stalker. Only this time, instead of being in stealth mode, trying to draw out a man intent on hurting Cheyenne, everyone was getting ready for the big event on Saturday—the wedding of Brendon’s twin brother, Braydon.
The pulse of the town was certainly more upbeat. Excited even.
Having grown up in Dallas, Ryan found it interesting to sit at a table in the small diner and hear bits and pieces of conversation at the surrounding tables, all talking about the event. Not something Ryan was used to, that was for sure.
“I can’t believe he’s finally tyin’ the knot.”
“What I can’t believe is that they’re all gonna be married soon.”
In a small town, everyone knew everyone else, just like the saying went, and Coyote Ridge was no exception. And they knew Z, as well. He was somewhat of a celebrity, in Ryan’s opinion. When the waitress had been taking their drink order, she’d briefly reminisced about high school, and a couple of other people had stopped by the table to say hello, welcome him back, tell him how great it was to see him.
Ryan wasn’t sure he would’ve survived in the microscopic bubble that wrapped around this place. He much preferred the big city. A lot more anonymity.
They’d just received their drinks when a boisterous voice sounded from behind Ryan.
“Well, how the fuck are ya?”
Glancing over his shoulder, he saw a familiar face walking toward them, dark eyes locked on Z. Before another word was said, Z was on his feet, his burly arms wrapped around his brother, hands pounding each other’s backs as they said their greetings.
When the two broke apart, Z smiled. “Reese, you remember RT?”
“Of course I do.” Reese held out his giant hand. “How are ya, man?”
“Not too bad.” Ryan got to his feet and shook Reese’s hand. “You’re lookin’ good.”
Reese tugged at his T-shirt, white teeth flashing as he smiled. “Ain’t I? It’s the hometown air. Does wonders for the complexion.”
Reese Tavoularis was as outgoing and laid-back as his brother, with the same quick smile and wit. In fact, the two men looked so much alike, if it hadn’t been for the apparent difference in their ages, they could’ve probably passed as twins. Reese was just as tall as Z but without so much of the bulk. He was leanly muscled, with the same dark hair, but his eyes were several shades lighter than his brother’s.
The two men took a seat. Z squeezed Reese’s shoulder once before releasing him. It was clear that Z had missed his brother. Ryan could understand because his job took him away from his siblings time and time again, but he was lucky enough to see them more often than not.
“What’s it like to be home?” Z asked Reese as he reached for his tea glass.
“A little surreal. Not sure I’m ready for this.” Reese situated the plastic utensils on the paper napkin, spacing them perfectly before noticeably realizing what he’d done.
“Settling back in?” Ryan asked.
“Yeah.” Reese’s smile appeared slightly more forced than a moment ago. “You’d think it would be easier than it is. It takes some getting used to, not having the structure I’m so familiar with. Not to mention, I’ve got too much time on my hands.”
Ryan looked at Z, not sure where to go with that. Thankfully, the waitress chose that moment to come back and take their order, her smile radiant when her eyes landed on Reese. After the three of them placed their order and the flirtatious woman stopped running her fingers over Reese’s closely cropped dark hair, they resumed their conversation.
“Have you given any thought to what we talked about?” Z asked, his question directed at his brother.
“The job, you mean?” Reese glanced at Ryan briefly, then flicked his gaze back to Z.
Z nodded, taking a sip of his tea, his big hands making the glass look smaller than it was.
“I have,” Reese said solemnly. “A lot, actually.” Reese’s gaze darted over to Ryan once more. “And keep in mind, I’m not goin’ off any assumptions that it would’ve been a done deal or anything.” His attention returned to Z. “But I kinda like it here.”
Ryan tried to hide his confusion. He wasn’t sure what the two men were talking about.
“So not interested in movin’ to Dallas, huh?” Z appeared disappointed, but it was obvious he was trying to hide it.
That was when Ryan figured it out. Z had been hoping Reese would come work for Sniper 1 Security so he could see more of the guy.
“Not yet,” Reese admitted, shifting when the waitress set his glass of water in front of him.
“What’re you gonna do for work?” Z asked, his worry for his brother’s financial stability evident in his tone.
“I’ve actually got two interviews,” Reese said, his grin widening. “One with Jared Walker. I ran into him a coupla days ago at Moonshiners. He said he was lookin’ for someone to help out at Walker Demo.”
Z looked interested. “And the other?”
“Jared’s cousin CJ owns his own construction company. He’s lookin’ for a foreman. They told me one way or another they’d have somethin’ for me. Oh, and if I want, they’re lookin’ for another volunteer at the fire station.”
“That’s great,” Ryan said when Z didn’t speak. “Not back a week and you’ve already got two jobs lined up.”
“Is that really what you wanna do?” Z asked, his tone solemn.
Reese studied Z for a minute, the two brothers clearly communicating on a different plane than the one Ryan was on. Taking a sip of his tea, he glanced around the diner, suddenly uncomfortable with this family conversation. Had it been a topic Ryan could contribute to, he might’ve thought differently.
“It is. Momma’s still got the house down here. I’m gonna stay there, take over payments until I figure it all out.”
Ryan discreetly looked at Z, wondering what he’d say to that. It was obvious Z wanted to have Reese closer to him.
“Well, if that’s what you want…” Z’s mouth turned up in a huge grin. “Then I’m fuckin’ happy for you, bro. That’s great.”
Reese looked slightly off-kilter, and Ryan knew how he felt. Sometimes Z threw him for a loop, too, without even trying.
THE FOOD AT THE DINER had been the closest thing to home cooking that Z had had in quite some time. For the most part, he stuck to a clean diet that consisted of a lot of grilled chicken and vegetables, though he did give in to his craving for pizza at least twice a month. But his favorite—country fried chicken, corn on the cob, and fried okra—wasn’t something he could’ve passed up if he’d wanted to.
Since he didn’t come back home to Coyote Ridge often, Z tended to let go a little more than usual. And twice a year at most wasn’t enough for him to worry. But damn, it was good to be back there. Like the last time, there was a sense of nostalgia that came with being in his hometown. He’d missed the place, and though he could never imagine himself living there now that he’d expanded his horizons outside the small town, that didn’t mean he didn’t have fond memories.