But first, I’d take a little rest on the couch.
***
“Spicy meatballs and too much golf.” Jensen’s laugh came through the phone loud and clear and thank God for the Excedrin, because the sound didn’t completely spear my brain. “Can you believe that? They sent Dad home with a muscle relaxant for his shoulder and a roll of Tums.”
“I’m glad he’s okay,” I said, squeezing my eyes shut until they watered. “I was worried for you.”
“I don’t understand how anyone could mistake heartburn for a heart attack. I’m not going to let him live this down.”
I smiled. And hey, it didn’t hurt. Much.
“Which means–”
Jen laughed softly. “I’ll be giving him a box of antacid for his birthday. And a stockingful at Christmas.”
“You could sign him up for auto-shipping from Amazon.” The sound of my own voice was almost not painful.
She giggled, and that didn’t hurt, either. “He’ll kill me. So I have to do it.”
“Remind me not to get sick around you.” What do you know, I was feeling almost completely better since answering my phone.
“Oh, you’re fair game and you know it.”
“You’d be that cruel to me?”
“It’s one of my charms.”
“Your many charms,” I replied, my voice dropping lower. “But I like some of your other ones better.”
I heard her breathing speed up. “Do tell.”
“Maybe. Where are you?”
“Sitting in my mother’s kitchen.”
“Then I’d better keep it PG.”
“I could move.” She actually sounded eager to.
“Too late. Now, where to begin?” My pulse was pounding in my ears and my voice had taken on a rough edge that I couldn’t keep in check. “I know. I’ll start with your eyes. Did you know they have tiny flecks of green that sparkle when you smile?”
I heard a tiny gasp, and I guessed she was hearing the same hoarseness I was. “I never knew you noticed them.”
“They’re beautiful. So’s your smile. I never understood the saying ‘lights up a room’ until I saw you smile. Now I’ll never hear that phrase without seeing your face.”
“You sound... different,” she breathed, “God, Tack, it’s...” She trailed off and I wondered if someone had walked into the room.
“You like it? This is my Talking to Jensen voice. It shows up when I’m around you.”
“I don’t think that’s the only thing that shows up.”
“Do you really want to go there in your parent’s kitchen? ‘Cause I’m touching myself right now, and I’d be happy to share the details.” I wasn’t, but I wanted to hear her reaction.
“Oh.” It came out more like a sigh.
Now I really was getting ready to take a grab at Tack Junior. “You’re killing me here, Jen. I’m not going to be able to keep this PG if you keep making noises like that.” And that was the truth, so fuck me God. If she really wanted phone sex… score another Tack-first for Jen MacKenzie. I’d be happy to give it a go with her whispering in my ear.
“In that case, it’s best if I hang up, Tack.”
Dammit.
Chapter 14
*Shot Through The Heart*
“Your dog is weird,” I said as I sped down the freeway onramp after leaving the airport. “I woke up this morning and freaked, ‘cause I couldn’t find him.”
“Was he under the blankets by your feet?” She laughed and said, “It’s his favorite place.”
“Last I’d seen of him, he was next to me on the bed. I thought I’d squished him.”
“Nah, he’s good at keeping himself out of the danger zone. After tonight, though, you won’t have to worry about where he’s sleeping.”
“Yeah, well, about that,” I said. “The exterminator came by the house this morning.”
“On a Sunday? That’s strange.”
“That’s what I thought, too. Until he showed me the wood samples they’d taken. He wanted to make sure, as he put it, ‘you were making an informed decision before ever going inside again.’”
“What?”
“That’s pretty much what I said.” I reached over and gave her fingers a squeeze before spilling the rest of the news. “I looked at the plugs of wood, Jen. It’s a wonder the place is standing. I’m sorry.” I had really wanted to wait with this until we were home and I could show her what that condo was made of. It was little more than sawdust glued together with termite spit.