So Far Gone in You(Primal Heat 2)(25)

Karidon tossed Coop’s bag in the back, and then they climbed in. Olin kept Coop’s travel kit in his arms. It was silly, but having the bag close to him made Olin feel better.

It might be the fact that it smelled like Coop.

Olin settled in the backseat as they pulled from the driveway. He could see Coop scanning the mirrors and the road ahead. He wanted to comfort the guy in some way, to let Coop know that he wasn’t indifferent to the man’s suffering. Olin reached between the side of the seat and the door and ran his hand over Coop’s upper arm. Coop’s gaze slid to the side mirror, and their eyes locked.

Olin thought Coop understood what he was trying to convey because the guy nodded, as if to say that things would be okay between them.

That understanding nod took some of Olin’s guilt away, even though he had nothing to feel guilty about. But Olin wasn’t heartless—standoffish, sarcastic, and even loudmouthed at times, but not cruel.

Coop used his left hand to reach around the seat and grab Olin’s. He pulled Olin’s arm forward, and their fingers intertwined as Olin rested his weight against the back of the seat so they could remain that way for a good while.

Coop’s touch was warm, and his grip felt strong and comforting. Olin closed his eyes and rested his cheek against the back of Coop’s seat. Another crack worked its way around the protective wall Olin hid behind.

He dozed off, and the next thing he knew, Coop was squeezing his hand gently and telling Olin to wake up because they were there. Olin pulled his hand free from Coop’s, surprised that the guy had kept hold of it the whole ride. Olin stretched and yawned and smiled when he spotted home. Staring at the yellow-and-white ranch made him feel as if everything would be all right, that things would work themselves out.

Aunt Mya’s flower garden was in full bloom, and the sidewalks looked as though Uncle Fester had just hosed them down. The grass was freshly cut, and the garage door was wide open, showing off his uncle’s workbench and his aunt’s plethora of garden tools.

It was damn good to be home.

Karidon and Coop grabbed their stuff, and Olin led them through the garage and into the house. Uncle Fester was sitting on the couch, remote in hand, when they walked in. He was watching his favorite television show, Downton Abbey, but turned to see who had come in.

“Hey, fellas,” Uncle Fester said, and Olin was glad the man was sober. Everyone who met Fester just thought of him as some boozehead. They didn’t know the reason behind him getting lost in the bottle, and Fester wasn’t one to tell his business.

But the family knew that he drowned his demons because he’d lost the love of his life years ago during a bank robbery, where the gunman thought it better to shoot everyone than take hostages.

Fester was the one who was supposed to go to the bank that day, but he’d been working on his car at home and had asked his wife, Thea, to go instead.

He hadn’t forgiven himself since.

His sister, Mya, had brought her brother to her home after the tragedy, and Fester had been punishing himself ever since then.

“Hey, Fester,” Coop said and patted the man on his slim shoulder. “Good to see you.”

Karidon smiled and gave a short wave.

“There you fellas are,” Aunt Mya said as she hurried into the living room, tendrils of her blonde hair slipping past the messy bun on her head. “Since Talyn’s phone call, I’ve been worried sick. Did you get here without incident?”

“Sure did, ma’am,” Coop said, and in Aunt Mya fashion, she hugged both men tightly and then patted their cheeks.

“Olin will get the two of you settled into the guest room, and then I want you fellas to wash up. Dinner is almost ready.”

There was only one spare room, but it did have a king-sized bed. Olin smirked at the idea of Karidon and Coop grousing at each other at bedtime. Olin shared a room with Ollie. It was the biggest room in the house and large enough that their beds were far enough apart that they didn’t feel like sardines packed in a can.

Olin had asked for the guest room, but Aunt Mya had insisted that it remain a room for overnight guests. Ever the hostess.

At that moment, Olin was thankful she hadn’t given in and let him have the room. That would have meant that Coop would have shared it with Olin. With the guy going through Primal Heat, there would have been no resisting him.

Olin took them down the hall and opened the door to the guest room. Aunt Mya had aired it out. The windows were open, and the sheer white curtains were billowing softly.

“One bed?” Karidon asked. He arched a brow as he set his bag on the floor by the dresser.

“I’d offer one of you the couch, but my aunt has a fit whenever someone uses it as a bed.”