So he turned his head to look at the deck and froze solid.
This was because she was curled in the loveseat, legs bent and fallen to the side, heels tucked close to her ass, beer in hand resting on the side of her thigh, head thrown back because she was laughing.
And stretched opposite her in that loveseat was an enormous black man who was turned away from Walker, in profile but Walker could see him smiling.
Lexie righted her head, caught sight of him, her face grew bright and she aimed a shaft of her blinding light right a him as she cried, “Ty! Look who’s here!”
Then, his fucking wife, total fucking goof, like an excited teenager bolted up to her feet on the loveseat, walked to the footstool and hopped down, running through the open door to him as he forced himself unstuck and walked toward her.
In her excitement, she hit him on the fly, her soft body colliding with his, her arms, even with one hand holding a beer bottle, sliding around him, her feet bare necessitating her bending her head way back to beam her smile at him.
“Julius!” she declared elatedly yet unnecessarily.
He looked down at her face then lifted his head to see Julius had angled out of the loveseat and was grinning at him as he sauntered into the house.
Such was their bond, anytime, anywhere, it was safe to say he would be happy to see Julius Champion. Happier by far to see him for the first time wearing faded jeans, a tee and breathing free.
Except that time.
He tipped his head back down and muttered, “Kiss, mama.”
Her smile went brighter, if that could fucking be believed, she went up on her toes, he bent low and touched his mouth to hers as her arms gave him a squeeze. When he lifted his head, she let him go, took a step away and he turned to Julius who had made it close and also had a beer in his hand. He extended his other one and Walker took it.
“Walk,” he muttered as they gripped and locked eyes, no shaking, no hug, the strength of the grip and the communication through their eyes was all they needed.
“Champ,” Walker muttered back.
Julius grinned. Walker grinned back.
“Oh shit, I’m gonna cry,” Lexie announced and the men let go and both looked to her to see she did look like she was going to cry.
“Get a handle on it, Lex,” he murmured, still grinning.
She nodded and visibly deep-breathed, whispering, “Right. Right.”
Walker shook his head and looked to Julius to see Julius was now smiling at Lexie.
“Okay!” she announced on a clap and Walker looked back at her. “Time for dinner!” Her eyes came to him. “You doing a shake, honey, or are you going to eat with me and Julius?”
“Powder and water then I’ll eat with you,” Walker answered.
“Excellent!” she approved, tossed a dazzling smile to both of them, turned and headed to the kitchen.
Walker looked back at Julius. “Gonna hit the shower, brother. Be right back.”
Julius jerked up his chin and replied, “I’ll keep your woman company while you’re gone.”
Walker bet he would. He had three women, each constant, each committed, each had been in his life for years but that didn’t mean he wasn’t still recruiting. But Walker also knew he’d try nothing with Lexie. That said, he was not a man who wouldn’t take an opportunity to enjoy a beautiful woman even though he knew it was look but don’t touch.
Walker headed to the stairs. Julius headed to the kitchen.
He was nearly done in the shower when she came in. He watched through the glass as she put the big, plastic cup with the screw on lid filled with protein powder mixed with water on the vanity. Her eyes came to him before she left then she took herself four feet out of the way just to press her hand flat to the glass and give him another smile.
No physical connection through that glass but a connection, the kind of shit she did all the time. The smile was brilliant; she was pleased as fuck for him his friend was there. The protein drink delivered was yet another way she gave. She did that all the time too, mix him a drink or blend him a shake and it was sitting on the vanity by the time he got out if she wasn’t in the shower with him.
She waited for it, he gave it to her, jerking up his chin then, with no words, she headed back out.