“I wanted to,” I tell Andy. “As a thank you for ... well, for everything. Plus, we can’t just keep eating takeout.”
“Sure we can,” Ben chimes in. “But this is really nice Charlie, thank you.”
We all sit at the table and dig in. I’m happily listening to Ben and Andy talk about their day but before I know it, the conversation has turned to fishing.
“Did you guys notice how cold it was today?” Max asks. “I think we’re good to go tomorrow.”
“Go where?” Who would want to go somewhere when it’s this cold?
“Ice fishing!” Andy exclaims.
“I’ve never been ice fishing,” I respond with a shrug.
“What kind of Canadian has never been ice fishing?” Ben looks at me incredulously.
“The kind who prefers indoor hobbies,” Andy answers for meand I giggle.
“We’ll rectify this immediately,” Max grabs his phone and starts typing.
“I have no clue how to fish. I’ll probably just get in the way. Plus, it’s super cold outside, and I am a wimp.”
I also really just don’t want to embarrass myself. There is no way I’ll be good at fishing and the idea of needing to touch a worm or some other creepy crawly in order to bait my hook is nauseating.
“It won’t be so bad,” Ben says. “We have a tent we use as well as a portable heater. I won’t lie, it’ll still be a little cold, but I don’t think it will be as bad as you are thinking.”
It feels really nice that Ben actually seems to want me to come with him even though we both know I’m just going to get in the way. I can’t imagine it’s fun for him being the ‘extra guy’ when all four of us hang out together.
“I could just stay here and read,” I counter. “And let you guys have your fun.”
“Too late. I bought you a fishing license,” Max tells me as he sets down his phone. “Besides, you can bring your book. If you really hate fishing, you can just hang out with us and read.”
I roll my eyes. “So basically, you’ve condemned me to freeze to death?”
“Don’t worry gorgeous, I can just warm you up the way I usually do while you read,” Max winks at me.
“I don’t think Ben would appreciate you eating me out in front of him,” I say boldly. Ben chokes on the bite of garlic bread he just took, and Andy leans over to give him a good slap on the back while he laughs.
“What about me, sweetheart? What if I don’t want to see that?” The fake pout on Andy’s face is adorably ridiculous.
“Andrew, not only do I think you’d want to see that. I’m sure you’d join in.”
Max laughs, and Andy flops back into his chair with a big grin. “Oh, most definitely.”
“Perhaps we can keep the bedroom stuff in the bedroom andlet the ice fishing tent be for ice fishing,” Ben coughs out, his face still red from choking.
“Bedroom stuff?” Max asks, quirking his eyebrow at the exact same time Andy goes, “Whatevergrandpa.”We all laugh.
"No funny business in the tent Ben, I promise.” I tell him with a smile. He smiles back at me, and I can feel my cheeks heat a little. Ben doesn’t smile often, but when he does it could light up a room.
“So, what are we thinking? 5 AM start?”
It’s too fucking early.
“It’s too fucking early,” I voice my thoughts out loud with a groan.
Max is driving and Ben turns from his spot in the passenger seat to glare back at me. “All you had to do is get dressed this morning. I’ve been up since 3 packing everything up!”
“And I am sure you did an excellent job,” I yawn. “But it’s still too early.”
