Page 41 of Flare Up
“You went out and found yourself some side bacon, right?” Aidan asked. “I mean, a guy’s got needs.”
“I did not. I loved my wife and didn’t run around with bacon behind her back.” He chuckled. “And we ended up divorced anyway, so I should have had the damn bacon.”
They all laughed, except for Scott, who looked as if he was still in shock over the concept of going months without a food because Jamie couldn’t tolerate the smell.
“Cheer up,” Grant told him. “Maybe it’ll be vegetables she can’t tolerate.”
After they’d cleaned up, they got a little downtime before they’d be out on the streets again. Some of the guys hit their bunks and a couple went into the workout room, but Grant chose to chill on the couch. He wasn’t surprised when Gavin joined him, taking the chair closest to where he was sitting.
It had been a while since they’d talked one-on-one. He supposed that was natural. Gavin had Cait now, and Grant had Wren. More or less. But the wingman days were definitely over.
“Catch me up,” Gavin said. “Cait’s being surprisingly close-mouthed about any gossip she may or may not be privy to.”
That was a surprise. Grant had just assumed Gavin knew everything that was going on, since he thought Patty would tell Cait and Cait would tell Gavin. That’s how the relationship chain was supposed to work.
“Not much to tell, I guess. We’re a couple. We’re working on it.”
“I’m kind of surprised you haven’t moved her into your place.”
Grant gave him a sideways glance. “It’s only been a couple of weeks.”
“This time. But you were together before. Five months ago, you were as good as engaged. If you’re just going to go back to where you were, you were getting ready to do that, anyway.”
“We’re not doing that.” Gavin gave him a skeptical look. “Going back to where we were, I mean. We’re getting to know each other again, but without stuff between us.”
“But you’re going to end up in the same place.”
“You think it’s a mistake.”
“I didn’t say that. I like Wren. You know that. I know how happy you guys were together, but I also remember how wrecked you were when she took off. It was rough, man, and I worry about how you’d come through if she does it again.”
“She doesn’t have any reason to do it again.”
Gavin nodded but he wanted to say more. Grant could see it on his face. “What?”
“Nothing. If you’re happy, I’m happy for you, plain and simple.”
“Just spit it out.”
“Okay, fine. When you get right down to it, she didn’t really have a good reason to do it the first time.”
“No, she didn’t. But she thought she did.”
Gavin nodded. “I guess I can see that. As long as you’re good, man. That’s all I really care about.”
“I’m good.” The words rolled off his tongue, but this was his best friend. “Mostly. She got a call on her cell from an unknown and it spooked the hell out of her.”
“She think it was that Mitchell guy?”
“She doesn’t know. But not knowing scares her, too. And when she gets scared, I get... I pull back, I think. Not a lot, but it’s a reservation. It’s there. Know what I mean?”
“You just told me she thought she had a reason to take off, and we’re supposed to accept that. But it sounds to me like you’re afraid she might think she does again.”
He didn’t want to admit to that—to say it out loud—so he shrugged. “The difference this time is that I know about him. I know what she’s afraid of. I’m hoping that’s enough. And she did tell me about the phone call this time.”
“I hope you’re right.” Gavin leaned forward, leaning his forearms on his knees. “And I hope she knows you’re not the only one she can depend on. We’ve all got her back if she needs us.”
“I appreciate that. And I’ll keep telling her that until it gets through her head.”
