“Before you were born.Before your brothers were born, in fact.Your mom and I were just married, and didn’t have a dime in our bank account.A contract came up for me through a friend, and I couldn’t say no to the money.It was for six months.Your mother and I didn’t like the idea of being apart that long, but we made the decision that I should go.It was hard.We certainly couldn’t video chat back then.But we knew it wouldn’t be forever, and that money came in handy.Because of that money, we were able to put a down payment on our first house.So, yeah, I hated not being able to see her every day, but we made it work.”
“You’re full of secrets, aren’t you?”
“I did have a life before you boys came along,” his father joked.“Listen, it seems to me the long-distance thing isn’t really your problem.”
“No?”
“Nah.It’s just a matter of logistics, and you can sort that out.I think your real issue might be this whole ‘keeping it casual’ thing.I know it’s what a lot of young people today want, and that’s fine.As long as you and Claire agree on how you’re going to handle it.But if it’s not working for one of you, it’s not working, period.”
Nick nodded.“I really do like her.”
“I can see that.”
Nick had always been able to separate sex from emotions before, but with Claire, he didn’t have it in him to remain detached.Every touch brought him closer to her.Every kiss made him want to find out even more about her.He wanted to hear every story from her past, and create new ones with her.
He was pretty sure he was falling for her, and he was plunging fast and hard.
He’d never experienced anything like it, and it terrified him.
“You need to talk to her, Nick.You need to lay it all out.”
“But what if I lose her in the process?”
“I can’t promise you that won’t happen.But if it does, maybe it’s better it happens sooner, rather than later.”His dad patted him on the shoulder and headed back inside.
His mind in a fog, Nick followed.
* * * *
Nick had another coffee for Claire on Monday morning.When she saw him coming, a vision of strong thighs, flexing biceps and tousled hair, her breath caught in her throat.
He handed her the coffee cup, leaning in to give her a quick kiss.“Good morning.”
The rasp of his stubble on her cheek made her want to cling to him.However, considering that there were about twenty-five crew members and sanctuary volunteers currently milling about, she refrained.“Good morning.Thanks for the coffee.”
“My pleasure, friend.”He drank from his cup, eyeing her.
The way Nick said ‘friend’ in those low, rumbling tones let her know he was thinking thoughts that were so much more than friendly.
Her body responded in ways that were so much more than friendly.“How was dinner with the family?”
“Nice, actually.I had a talk with my dad about, you know, life.”
“Ah.Was it a good conversation?”
“Yeah.I’ve had a lot on my mind, and he helped me see things in a different way.”
“Good.”
“Oh, and I had a chance to talk to my brothers at the end.I told them I was ready to start playing gigs with them.”
“Nick, that’s amazing!”
“Thanks.I decided it was time for me to start taking life by the horns again.Anyway, Eli called one of our buddies on the spot.He owns a bar in Toronto.We’re booked for Friday night.”
“So soon?”
“Well,” said Nick, laughing, “we don’t exactly play high-class gigs.And, like I said, we’re friendly with the owner.He squeezed us in.”
