Page 112 of Gone for You

“Nope.”

“Or the reason behind it?”

I keep my eyes closed, head tipped back on the cushion of the small couch I’m sitting on. Physically, I don’t look affected by his words. Inside, though, is a different story.

“Mm hmm,” I hum, hoping he drops it.

“It’s like that, then, huh?”

“Like what?”

“How long are you going to keep this shit up, man?”

That gets my attention. I sit up, groaning at the stiffness in my muscles and lean forward. I polish off the last of my bottle of water and look him in the eye.

“Get cleaned up and come up to my place. We’ll grill some burgers.”

And then he’s gone, leaving me to wonder if I’m about to walk to my beating.

It doesn’t take me long to shower and throw on a pair of sweats and t-shirt. I slip on my socks and shoes and make the short walk to get to his apartment above the lodge. It’s not really an apartment, rather the entire second floor. It’s spacious and has one of the single best views I’ve ever seen. Similar to the one I have at the cabin but from higher up, it’s even more incredible.

I climb the stairs on the backside two at a time. The glass of the sliding door is open, leaving just the screen door closed. He must have heard me coming up the stairs because he shouts for me to come in, but it comes out distant like he’s far from the door.

Looking around, I notice he hasn’t changed much since I was here the last time, which has been almost a year. The dark gray sectional sits in the center of his living area, facing a large TV that hangs from the wall. In the corner stands a large black wood burning stove with a glass door, which I know is what he heats his home with in the cold months.

Under the TV is a small stand with a gaming system set on it and a basket of what looks like DVD’s and games. His dining table is tall and square with a few papers spread around on its top.

There’s a platter of hamburger patties on the counter, along with a package of buns, a bag of chips and a can of beans. Seeing the baked beans reminds me of Liv and her most embarrassing story. I smile, remembering how easy it was to talk about everything and nothing. Clearly we forgot to include talking over the important things, though. My smile drops. If only we’d been more honest about our fears of commitment, we wouldn’t be here right now.

“Want me to start anything?” I say a little loudly, figuring he must still be in his bedroom.

“I’ll be right there. Just putting clothes on. You know, so we don’t have another naked man experience. Just ‘cause I saw yours doesn’t mean I gotta show you mine.”

The corner of my mouth ticks up. “Why? You got something to be ashamed of?”

“Asshole!” he shouts but amusement laces his tone.

A few seconds later, he comes out dressed the same as me, sans socks and shoes.

“Grill’s started, I’ll go throw the hamburgers on as soon as I start the baked beans. It’s pretty basic around here tonight.”

“Doesn’t bother me, actually it all sounds pretty good. Can I help?”

“You can grab us both a beer. Or did your pansy ass have too much last night?”

“I’m good.”

He opens the can, pouring it into a sauce pan and adding a little extra brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and some chopped onion he had sitting on the counter before stirring it while I get us each a beer. I open mine and hand over his then lift the platter and follow him out onto the deck.

After the burgers are on the grill, we settle in the patio chairs. We’ve barely sat down when he launches in, “So how much longer are you going to deny you’re in love with my sister?”

Chapter 46

Ethan

Beer spewsout of my mouth and I choke. I look at Owen who’s completely relaxed, albeit a bit smug.

“What?”

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