The bike ride was uneventful, which was exactly what I had hoped for.
When Brock parked the bike at my place, he let me sling my arm around his shoulder so I could walk to my door. In many ways, the moment could have looked romantic. My arm around him, having just ridden the bike, us being old lovers…
But the truth was, there was none of that. I felt great affection for him, yes, and in a way, I still loved him, but that love was not the erotic, thrilling kind that had kept us going in our youth. It was more quiet appreciation, a love that was more about an admiration for each of us going through what we had than anything else.
In any case, it was not a love that would interfere with Brock and his woman and me and Mason.
When we got inside, I sat on the couch and stretched out my leg to a comfortable spot. Brock pulled up a chair and took a seat.
“How are you and Mason?” he said with a gentle smile.
His look suggested I could avoid the topic if I wanted. But I didn’t.
“We had a great time together a few days ago before everything went to hell,” I said. “I’d want to try it again.”
“As I know he would too,” Brock said. “I’m sorry that we didn’t take care of the Bandits before. I’m pissed it took us a decade to kill them all—”
“Don’t be.”
Brock looked at me in surprise.
“You did what you could. When did you grow to the size you are now?”
Brock shrugged.
“Couple years ago, probably.”
“Right, exactly. Nothing you could have done before. You saved so many more lives down the road.”
Brock smiled. He had such a nice smile.
And once again, it was nice to be able to compliment him and appreciate him without having any doubt about where we stood. Times had changed, and in this particular case, it was for the better.
“Well, I suppose better late than never,” he said.
A brief silence fell on us.
“Do you need anything else before I head out?”
Perhaps Brock felt more awkward than I did. It was understandable. Just because I felt at ease with how things were didn’t mean that Brock wasn’t also the same way. I had no doubt he wouldn’t cheat, but I also had no doubt that there was some confusion in his head.
“Just a promise that you’ll have Mason reach out to me,” I said. “I want to take what we have as far as we can.”
Brock gave his best smile yet as he rose.
“For you, I’d do anything.”
He nodded to me, calmly walked out the door, and shut it behind him.
Complicated? Who knew?
But actions mattered most, and his actions were more than I ever could have expected at this point.
Now, if I could just figure out a time to get the private care for my foot at some point…
Mason
Iwoke up at the clubhouse.
