“You saying I’m a chick?”
“Saying you think like one at times.”
For the first time since the conversation started, Carl cracked a smile.
I let out a chuckle. “Okay, so what about Perri?”
“She’s probably read something on some dumbass website about how this is supposed to work. I’m just gonna trust my gut, and my gut says this is a good idea.”
“I don’t know, Carl. It’s a big step. The biggest step, really. The only thing you can do more than that is have kids.”
“Yeah.”
“You talked about kids?”
“She mentioned she’d like kids someday. I’m in no hurry, but if she wants them sooner, I won’t care either. Besides …”
“Besides what?”
Carl snorted. “I’m tired of a being a pussy.”
“You’re not a pussy.”
“Sure, I am. I want the woman, love the woman, but I’m not gonna ask her to marry me? What am I waiting for, a better option? Perri’s been talking about us all getting together on Saturday anyway. I’m gonna do it then.”
“What, at the Wild Mustang? Not exactly romantic.”
“This isn’t about romance. This is about love, and yeah, why the hell not? She’s not fancy.” Carl locked eyes with me. “I need your support, bro. I don’t know if I would have been able to do this if it wasn’t for you coming back and helping me expand the ranch. I know I can offer Perri a future now. That was the only thing holding me back before.”
I stared back at him. Most of my brain wanted to shake him and tell him he was being a dumbass, that he didn’t have true love with Perri. They were just two friends with a lot of benefits.
But what the hell did I know? Carl hadn’t spent years running away from everyone who cared for him, and I hadn’t been in town to watch them date. It had to mean something that they always came back together in the end. All I wanted was for my friend to be happy.
I clapped him on the shoulder. “Promise me one thing.”
“What?”
“You won’t start crying. If you do, then you are a pussy.”
Carl burst out laughing. “Sure thing, bro.”
* * *
Now, I watched him as he was ready to do what I was never able to manage: just follow his damn feelings.
“Perri, you’re the best woman I know,” Carl said, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a ring box. A chorus of oohs and ahs filled the room.
“Carl,” Perri squeaked out, shaking her head.
“You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved. So I want you to be my wife.”
“I can’t, Carl,” Perri said, tearing up.
Every man in that bar winced together. Several women gasped.
I closed my eyes and let out a quiet sigh. I saw a lot of beers on Carl’s porch in the future. He promised he wouldn’t cry, but I wasn’t sure he could keep that promise.
Joe watched impassively.