“You don’t think he can see it? I can only speak for myself, but if I was in the same predicament, the last pair of eyes I would want to see pity in would be Darby’s. He’s probably hoping you of all people won’t treat him differently, and you losing Matt adds a whole new level of clusterfuck.”

I sat up, bending one knee to rest my elbow on. “You’re right. I’ve been so worried I’ve been babying him. It just pisses him off more.”

“So when you’re ready, go home and hash all of this out. If he’s being a dick, tell him. Yell at him. Make it feel like an equal. Dating you would not be easy.”

“Thanks,” I said, glaring at him. My features softened. “How’s the baby? Did you get the loan?”

Trex smiled. “Maddie is growing. Rolling over. You should try it someday.”

“Rolling over?” I teased.

He ignored me. “I thought there was nothing better than being with Darby. Nope, parenting with her, being Maddie’s father. It’s everything, man. It’s everything. And we got the loan. Everything has been smooth so far.”

“How is Stavros taking it?”

“He’s relieved. He’ll still manage the hotel and bartend. He said Darby being his boss won’t be much different from before. But she’s going to pull that place out of the grave. She has all these great ideas. She’s amazing.”

“Wow. You guys will own a fucking hotel. That’s nuts.”

He grinned. “Yeah. So… I saw you in the weight room this afternoon talking to Bennett. It looked tense.”

“We’ve been fighting a lot.”

“About?”

“He’s getting a divorce. He’s still in love with me … or, what he thinks is love which is really him not being able to let go or be alone. He’s unhappy about my relationship with Zeke. He was pissed off that I didn’t tell him when Spenser and Kansas visited the past two times. Zeke thinks he has something to do with the Forestry Department’s decision. It’s just”—I sighed, feeling tired just explaining it—“it’s a mess, Trex.”

“Why are you here?” he asked.

“What?”

“You have no kids. Zeke has to find another job anyway. Get away from Bennett. He can’t control everything.”

“You won’t have a job if I leave.”

Trex thought about that. “You think so?”

“I know so.”

“We don’t trade one for another, Naomi. If you’re unhappy here, go. We’ll figure it out. I have the hotel and my family. Sloan, Kitsch, and Martinez can go wherever. Harbinger might have a tougher time since his kids haven’t even been here a full year, but…”

“The guys will have to go back into contract work, Trex. I’m not doing it.”

“Then you have to set boundaries. I’ll talk to him.”