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“That goes for you too, Mo anyway since we’re et in another shot She hugged hi, son I’ll call you”

She didn’t even look his direction before she walked off

“That wo you to shut it,” Tell said

Caspera s to do” That’s when Tell realized his faia entirely He looked over at the last place she’d been, but she was gone

“Like what?” his father said to his retreating back

Like walking into the closest bar

He needed a goddaer He’d finished half and most his fries when his buddy Thurman Watson showed up Not only had he and Thurrade, these days they were the last bachelors in their group of friends

“Since you called uess”

The waitress brought Thurman a Coors and took his order to the kitchen “Will you call ht?”

“Nope” Tell swirled a fry through a puddle of ranch dressing and popped it in hisyou in town?” Thur-haul trucker

“Until tohta have next week off, but I picked up an extra load going to Seattle Then I hit Salt Lake and Denver before I get back”

For the next hour they bullshitted about family crap and work, drank and played pool A few of their buddies showed up They eyed the ladies trolling in the bar;to Thurman’s older brother, Warner, when Thuruess who just walked in”

“You buyin’ onna get this one”

Tell sia Hotchkiss?”

Thurman’s jaw dropped “How the hell did you know that?”

“I’ve run into her twice, actually”

“And soot to mention that to ossiping like an old woossip This is news, my friend”

Tell rolled his eyes

“I’m serious, McKay” Thurman looked around before he lowered his voice “You had it bad for her”

“So did half the da until he could swap it out for a wedding band”

Before his friend could rib him any more, their buddy Ned showed up with his wife, Roxanne Then Warner’s wife, Leah, joined therown to six, so they clai a couple pitchers, talk turned to the weather, sports and kids Warner still tea rodeos

During a lull, Roxanne said to Tell, “I take it Jessie hasn’t popped yet?”