"I asked your mom to take Emma with her to Florida next week when she goes to see your dad. Come to Nashville with me. Better yet, I'll put off rehearsal until the next week. Let's go somewhere. Just you and me."
"Why?" There was an odd look in Quinn's eyes. A neediness Nathan hadn't seen before.
"Damn it, Nate, does there need to be a reason? I want to go away with you. Somewhere no one knows us. I want to lie on a beach or climb a mountain or just stay in a dive motel somewhere and make love. I don't care, as long as it's just the two of us."
"I didn't say no, Quinn, for fucksake. It's just that was sort of out of the blue, you know."
"But with these murders, you can't go. And next week something else will come up and you won't take the time off. I'm going to be gone all summer. I just thought … "
"I'll take the time. Plan something, I don't have anywhere I want to go. Surprise me." The ants were crawling again. God, he hated this feeling. He hated arguing about nothing. "The Keys. Let's go back. Key West this time."
"Oh, baby, that sounds good. Just me and you and sand in sensitive places." The stress finally left Quinn's eyes. He smiled a real, almost vulnerable smile, and Nathan realized it had been a long time since he'd seen one. "Making love on the beach at midnight."
Nathan pulled him close, and not caring who saw, he leaned his face in snagging Quinn's lips. "I remember you and me and the moon. God, Quinn, I love you so much."
"Break it up, lover boys." Natalie slapped him on the rear, startling him enough that he stepped guiltily out of Quinn's embrace. "Dinner's ready, and here you two are making out instead of watching the steaks."
"Bite me, Nat." It was Quinn, his voice sheepish, the look in his eyes almost shy. Since when had Quinn ever been shy around Natalie?
"No, thanks, honey, but I'm sure if you ask him nicely, my big brother will. He loves me enough to not let bullies like you push me around." Natalie danced around them with a bowl full of what looked like salad.
"Go bite Walker, he looks like he needs it," Quinn said, teasing. But Natalie went still, her gaze turned somber as she looked out to where Drew was playing with Emma.
"No, baby, as tempting as that sounds, that boat sailed a long time ago." Her voice was far away but not wistful. She seemed sad … or maybe … resigned.
"Hey, Nat, I'm sorry, sweetie. I didn't mean to upset you. You're my favorite sister." Quinn wrapped his arms around her and lifted her in the air, planting a kiss on her belly. The look he gave her when he set her down baffled Nathan.
"I'm not your sister."
"Sister-in-law, then."
"I'm not that either. Wish I was, though. And, Quinn, don't match-make, okay? There's nothing between Drew and me. Just let it go." Worry crossed her forehead, but she smiled as if nothing bothered her.
"Okay, I promise. Scout's honor and all that stuff Nathan and I did as kids."
"We were never scouts, not that I remember anyway. I didn't have time with football practice, and you were too bitchy even then to go camping and crap."
"Hey, I like camping. Did I ever tell you about the time-"
"Honey, that was Brokeback Mountain. You have never been camping in your life." Ann Truman patted Quinn on the shoulder. She kept walking as if she hadn't just shocked the shit out of Nathan balancing a steaming pan of cheesy potatoes and a covered basket of what smelled like garlic bread.
"Aww, can't a man have his fantasy?" Quinn whined playfully in response.
"You've had more than your fair share of fantasy, I suspect." Drew came up behind them on silent feet.
"Okay, so I may not have ever slept in a tent, but that doesn't mean I'm not an expert on pitching one."
Nathan wrapped his hand around Quinn's mouth and pulled him back against him, trying not to flinch when Quinn licked his palm. "You have to forgive him, he's out of his effin' mind right now. Dammit, Quinn, don't spit in my hand, you pervert."
"Serves you right." Quinn danced away before Nathan could wipe the moisture on his shirt as he had intended. "Quick, Walker, hide me. I think my boyfriend wants to kill me."
Nathan lunged around Drew catching Quinn by his collar and dragging him back, but he didn't anticipate Quinn dragging Drew with him. Somehow the three of them ended up tumbled in a pile on the lawn with Quinn on top, laughing.
"You two are morons, you know that, don't you?" Drew rolled off Nathan and onto his back, his head resting on Nathan's shoulder. Nathan could feel Drew's laughter rumble against his chest. He smelled nice. Like spice and something forbidden.