Free Ever the Same by BA Tortuga

service here.”
    “Be nice, asshat. I pay your gas.”
    “Totally. Where’s the rugrat?” It was something, those guys looked nothing alike. Nothing.
    “She’s watching cartoons. Right up your alley, Dal.”
    “Dude, Ben 10 ? I can hear it. Rock on.”
    “You’re bizarre and inappropriate.” Dixon was grinning, though.
    “I’ll get Randi,” Gracie said, rising and heading inside.
    “Do you want me to pick you up, or will Dalton bring you and Randi over tomorrow?”
    “Dude. Friday night. You totally know the rules.” Ah, to be a teenager again.
    Dixon rolled his eyes. “Do you mind picking me up?”
    “Not at all. I can drop Randi off here, and we can go, huh?” He couldn’t bitch at Dalton. Friday night rules were probably the reason they were doing lunch with the family instead of supper, and Dixon was free.
    “Cool.”
    “Thanks, man. I got a date with Joanne, and she…. I am totally into her.”
    “Of course you are.” Dixon grinned. “She’s a nice girl, Dalton.”
    “Dude. Don’t. ‘Nice girl’ from the queer big brother? Totally kiss of death.”
    Audie snorted. “Hey, I thought Gracie’s husband was a good guy, and even told her. Of course, I was the younger brother.”
    “Yeah, but what does a queer guy know about girls?” Dalton could roll those eyes.
    “Good point.”
    “Uncle Dalton!” Randi came running, her little boots pounding. She was so proud of those cute pink beauties. “I have a horse now of my own!”
    “No shit?”
    “Dal!”
    “I mean, really?”
    “Yep. Mr. Audie says so. Daddy, Mr. Audie, can I show Dalton Sarge?”
    Dixon looked panicked, but Dalton looked pretty at ease.
    “Sure honey. You need me to come whistle him up?”
    “Please!” Randi danced. “Daddy, come too!”
    Dixon stood, and Audie put the man’s hand on his arm. They were getting good at navigating the steps, and he’d taken Dixon all over the property.
    “Wow, look at your daddy go. He’s motivating.” Dalton sounded surprised.
    Randi cackled like a miniature bird. “Audie is good for him.”
    Audie’s cheeks burned. Oh. Oh damn, man. Dalton could no doubt see his hot face, unlike his brother.
    Thank God, Dalton didn’t say a word, which he appreciated. They headed out to the pasture, Randi climbing up on the fence. “Sarge! Sargie-Pargie!”
    Audie waited to see if Sarge would come for her, having just been let loose half an hour ago. Damned if the big old gelding didn’t come trotting right up to the fence, letting Randi breathe into his nose.
    “Oh, Uncle Dal. See? See, this is my goodest boy.”
    “Dude, he’s huge.”
    “He knows who’s boss, though. He adores her.” Audie felt like Dixon needed to know that.
    “Daddy, give me your hand.”
    Dixon reached for her.
    “Now, you have to pet careful. He likes it when you stroke his nose.” She moved Dixon’s hand so gently, and Sarge took it like a champ, half-dozing.
    “He’s the prettiest and best boy ever, and he’s so sweet.”
    “He has a great nose,” Dixon agreed.
    “Granny is going to shit a pink twinkie at the size of him, Randi.” Dalton wasn’t helping.
    “She doesn’t have to see him.” Randi got mutiny face. “He’s gonna live here still.”
    “Don’t tease, Dal. It’s not nice.” Oh, Dixon had Big Brother voice.
    “Yeah, yeah.” Dalton moved carefully, sliding up to Sarge to hold out his finger. “Hey, big guy. You are so not a llama.”
    “Nope. He’s a horse, silly.”
    “Well, he’s neat. You guys ready to go, Dix?”
    “Yeah. Yeah, I’m sure Mom wants us for dinner.”
    “You know it. Thanks for showing me the horse, Randi. Thanks to Audie too.”
    He had to say, Dalton was polite.
    “I get to spend the night here tomorrow too. Did you know?”
    “I might have heard.” Dalton took Dixon’s hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm. “Come on, Bro.”
    “Holler about tomorrow,” Dixon called.
    It was surprisingly weird, not being the one to lead Dixon. Audie had