Page 75 of Flashback
“After what? I’m not planning for there to be an after unless you’re talking afterlife.”
“Oh?” Gray’s eyebrows shot up his forehead. “That serious?”
“Yeah. I’m all in, and so is Maz. Although there’s a bit of baggage we need to work through. I’m confident we’ll unpack that and throw out the crap sooner than later.”
“Well,” Gray said and clapped him on the back, “I wish you luck. If anyone knows about unpacking baggage and tossing out the shit, it’s me. And if I can do it after my level of shit, I have faith you and Mazey will too.”
“Thanks.” Rylan knew Gray had gone through a tough time before he and Sidney had gotten together. Should he ask him how long it took to work everything out? “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“It’s personal, and you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”
“Go ahead,” Gray said, bringing his mug to his lips and taking a sip.
“How long did it take you to move past . . . whatever you had to get through?”
Gray cocked his head in thought. “I’d like to say I was smart enough to work out Sidney was it for me quickly, but I can’t. We both made mistakes, and for a bit there, it didn’t seem as though we’d be more than a passing thing. Honestly, I can’t say how long it took us, and I have to admit Luke stuck his nose in with help from my brothers because I was a dumbass.”
“But it was worth the effort? Worth the pain?”
“One hundred percent. Sidney is one of the best parts of my life. I’d be seriously missing out if we hadn’t worked our collective shit out.”
“Okay. Thanks for being candid with me.”
“No problem. And if you need someone to stick their nose in, let me know.” Gray grinned. “I’ll get Luke on the job.”
Rylan laughed. “Why is it kids seem to see the heart of things quicker than adults?”
Gray shrugged. “Maybe because they don’t have to worry about all the other adult stuff. I wasn’t just protecting myself, I had Luke to think about, and he’d been through more than any kid his age should have to deal with. Then again, maybe it’s that they haven’t experienced some of the pain and betrayal that comes with adulthood, they don’t have the scars that make us cautious. Speaking of kids . . .” He gestured with his mug. “They’re here.”
He turned to see a bus pull up outside the hanger. He’d be sure to take note of how these kids behaved, how their teachers dealt with them. In a few years, it could be his son or daughter climbing down from the bus.
Smiling, he followed Gray outside.
Yeah, he could see that. His kids—yes, plural—on an excursion to see the ins and outs of Mercy-Life.
Would he and Mazey still work here then? In thirteen years, he’d be in his early fifties. He couldn’t see himself retired at that age and couldn’t imagine spending his days doing anything other than flying choppers.
Wouldn’t that be a kick?
Standing here and waiting for his son. Or daughter.
Would they look like him or Mazey?
He couldn’t wait to find out.
33
Mazey folded the last of Rylan’s T-shirts and placed it in the drawer. He’d told her to leave the load in a basket, but she was folding her own things, and it seemed stupid not to do his at the same time.
And if she got a little thrill out of doing laundry, out of taking care of this simple thing for him, then she didn’t have to admit it to anyone except herself. She shouldn’t feel guilty about throwing the few things in his dirty clothes basket in with her load either. Or the fact that she’d tidied up a little here and there.
Again, no one else had to know she was enjoying all these domestic chores in Rylan’s house but her.
Smiling, she glanced at the time and frowned.
Where the hell was the furniture delivery? Rylan had messaged to let her know to expect them around ten, and it was almost eleven. Grabbing the empty clothes basket, she headed out of his room.
