Page 18 of The Mechanics of Lust

Any chance to avoid cooking was fine by me, and I nodded. “Six it is.”

Charlie whoop whooped in the back and when she chanted, “Douggie and Luke sitting up a tree.K I S S I N G.” I belatedly realised that my side of the conversation had carried through the microphone.Dammit.

I heard Zach mutter for Charlie to shut up, which only served to make her laugh louder.

Doug remained focused on me. “Cool, it’s a date then.”

I winced inwardly at the word and said, “A drink.”

He grinned, acknowledging the clarification, and then turned to Zach who was sitting directly behind me and winked. “Andyoubetter be shouting drinks with that tequila you won, mate. Just saying.”

Zach remained silent. But a quick glance in the mirror we used to check on our backseat tourists confirmed that scowl was still firmly in place. Doug grinned again, clearly finding something about the whole interaction amusing, and then he closed the door. And as the skids lifted off the ground and we headed out over the crystal blue waters of Lake Tekapo, I realised I was smiling.

For all that Doug came on a little strong for my tastes, there was no denying his raw, uncomplicated appeal, and the idea of meeting up with him was strangely growing on me. I’d been rattling around the rental on my own for a few weeks and had gotten into the habit of sinking a couple too many beers of an evening while staring at my favourite photo of Callie.

It wasn’t rocket science to understand that wasn’t high on the list of healthy grieving behaviours, and changing the geography of where I lived wasn’t going to miraculously ease the pain that sank me to my knees more nights than not. Only time and my attention was going to do that. Widening my horizons and forgetting about a certain auburn-haired spitfire who’d spent way too many hours in my messy head was a safer option for everybody concerned.

“Very smooth, Mister Nichols.” Charlie’s teasing voice came through the headset and roused me from my musings. “Hooked and landed all in a day, you little hussy. Nice work.”

I chuckled and started the climb to skirt the top of Champion’s Peak, its deep green tarn looking dull under a ceiling of gathering clouds. “Get your mind out of the gutter. I’m just trying to get to know people, that’s all.”

“Yeah. Yeah.” She laughed. “Pull the other one. It’s got bells on.” She gave my shoulder a light shove. “He’s clearly hot for you. But you wanna watch yourself. He’s left a trail of broken hearts, both men and women.”

“Put a lid on it, will you?” Zach grumbled sharply enough to have me look up from the jagged terrain and check the mirror. He was staring out the side window, his jaw tight, his face set in a deep frown.

Interesting.My gaze flicked on and off the mirror, wondering if I could possibly be reading things right.

Charlie’s smile slipped and she elbowed Zach gently. “Hey, are you okay?”

Zach shrugged. “Just tired. Sorry. I didn’t mean to snap.”

“’S okay.” She patted his arm and I pulled my gaze back to where it belonged.

Other than me radioing Gil to tell him we were about six minutes out, the rest of the flight passed in silence until the skids touched down on the Miller Station airfield and Jojo and Hellboy set to whining their excitement at being home. How they knew from inside their tin can transport torpedo, I hadn’t a clue.

Holden and Gil were already there to meet us, along with Spider who sat quietly at Gil’s side. After the slightly weird conversation about them with Zach earlier in the day, seeing the two men with their arms wrapped around each other as they squinted into the residual wash of the chopper blades, I realised I didn’t feel the familiar pang in my chest that I’d almost gotten used to.

Iwashappy for Gil, I realised. Happy for them both. I’d said the words so often in my head and aloud to friends and family, but it suddenly struck me that maybe I was only just beginning to mean them.

Self-preservation was a thing.

I powered down the chopper and ditched my headset. Then I spun in my seat just in time to catch Zach watching Gil and Holden in much the same way as I imagined I’d been doing. Our eyes met and he flushed a fetching shade of red before looking away.

Charlie glanced between us and a crease formed between her brows. “Jesus Christ, what the fuck is up with you two sour pusses?”

“Nothing,” Zach muttered as he opened the side door and jumped out, taking his pack with him. He lifted the lid on the carrier and Jojo leapt free and made for Spider who was clearly up for a game and chased her into the open hangar. The minute he was released, Hellboy raced to join them.

As Zach walked over to Gil and Holden, Charlie touched my arm. “Jesus, what rat climbed up his arsehole?”

I laughed unconvincingly. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

She stared at me for a moment, narrowed her gaze, and then shook her head. “Nope. I’m not buying it. But whatever. You gay boys are way too fucking complicated.” She slammed shut the door and headed for the others.

Holden took one look at Zach’s pissy expression and laughed. “Oh boy. Don’t tell me you lost your number one spot.”

“Shut up,” Zach grumbled. “And no, I won, as it happened. But just for that, I won’t be sharing my tequila with your sorry arse anytime soon, best mate or not.Aaaandit was actually Charlie who nailed the first find. Ta-da.” He swept an arm Charlie’s way and her cheeks pinked in pleasure.

Holden gave a low whistle. “Well done. That’s two to Miller Station, then.”

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