“I know.”
Fletch had listened to my tale of the balaclava masked intruder, showed him my still healing arm, and told him of Jacy hitting the dude with the Taser. “She’s got guts, Fletch, I’m telling you. I wish she was one of us.”
“How do you know she isn’t?”
I gaped. “Uh.”
“Right. We can’t go around asking one another if we’re fully human or not.” Fletch chuckled into his beer. “Hey, man, we should create a secret sign. Like the Masons. You know, flash a sign only we know and if the other responds, we’re cool.”
“Suggest that to the council.”
“No way. I’ll have nothing to do with those assholes. You do it.”
“Why would they listen to me?”
“I dunno. I don’t even listen to you.”
“Yeah, yeah, eat me.”
“You said you weren’t gay.”
“You said you were.”
“I ain’t,” he protested. “I just want sex without the risk of making babies. That’s not gay.”
“Give yourself a hand job.”
“What do you think I do every morning in the shower?”
I rolled my eyes. “Ireallydon’t need the details.”
“So, I’ll give ‘em to you.” Fletch leaned towards me, his expression conspiratorial. “First, I –”
I slapped my palm over his mouth. “Don’t. Just don’t.”
“I thought I’d give you instructions.”
“Don’t think, Fletch. You might hurt yourself.”
“Yeah, that’s a possibility.” He drank his beer, watching the game on the TV. “You can do my thinking for me.”
“I’ll just fuck up your life along with mine.”
“I say bring her flowers, offer them from your bended knee.” Fletch smirked. “Guaranteed to melt her heart.”
“I checked her browser history on the laptop,” I replied. “She’s looking for jobs in Montana.”
“Hoo, boy, you arereallyand truly fucked.”
“Don’t I know it.”
The one most hurt by all of this drama was Declan. I ached for him, knowing full well he loved Jacy as he would his mother. Not just was she good for him, the knowledge of her departure upon my arrival home had him moping and crying frequently. Nothing I did or said made any difference at all.
I have to convince her to stay. Somehow.
“I could fall in love with her,” I murmured over my bottle.
“I know, man.” For once, I heard no laughter in his voice. “Don’t give up, Avery. You found a good one in her. Don’t let her go.”
