Nate and Andy’s favorite.
Nate releases me to peek into the sack. He reaches inside and pulls out a tub of cookies and cream ice cream. His smile—a rarity but warmer than the sun—is wide enough to chase away my self-loathing.
“I haven’t had this in forever,” Nate says, tawny eyes twinkling as he fawns over the store-brand container in his beloved flavor.
Not since our birthday when we turned thirteen. It’s been five years since we lost Mom and it still hurts.
“Special occasion,” I tell him. “I got Andy’s favorite too.”
He pulls out another container, this time vanilla bean. “Where’s yours?”
“Don’t need it.”
His smile fades and his brows furl. “Dex…”
“It’s just ice cream,” I say with a shrug.
“We’ll share ours.” He hardens his gaze, daring me to argue. I don’t. “What’s the special occasion?”
I was going to tell them the good news, but then Andy tore me a new asshole the moment I stepped in the front door.
“Got a raise.”
“No shit?” He grins again, making me feel less of an asshole than ten minutes ago.
“For real. Bert says I’m kicking everyone’s ass at the shop as far as moving vehicles out. He’s been making more money and said it’s only fair to pass it down my way.”
We’ve been in this dinky-ass town for four months now. But it’s within walking distance to the community college and the auto repair shop that was hiring. This town is more like home than anything we’ve ever had. Finally, it feels like we’re starting to move up a little.
Speaking of…
“He gave me a bonus too,” I reveal, unable to hold back my own smile now. “I had a little left over for ice cream. I’d say don’t get used to it, but I think we can. Things are looking up.”
Aside from Andy being disgusted with me.
“A little left over? What did you buy?”
I can barely contain my excitement, but I hold it back. This surprise will be revealed when Andy is speaking to me again. It’s the nicest thing we’ve ever had.
“Come on,” I grunt, clutching the back of his neck. “Help me get Andy to forgive me and I’ll tell you both.”
He puts the ice cream in the freezer and then follows me to the one and only bedroom in our trailer. I’d wanted to spring for something bigger, but my income barely puts food on the table and keeps the utilities on. Well, until now.
Andy is lying face down on his air mattress. I can tell he’s still pissed by the way he breathes heavily, his entire body trembling. It guts me all over again. I’m such an idiot.
“Dex got ice cream,” Nate says, leaning his head on my shoulder.
Andy tenses but turns his head to peek at us. “What kind?”
“Our favorites,” Nate reveals, “but Dex forgot to buy himself some.”
I drink in Andy’s facial features, willing them to soften and for him to give me his easy smile. It hurts not receiving it from him considering it’s often been the only thing to get me through some of my darkest times.
“You’re trying to buy my love,” Andy grumbles, but his amber eyes are bright with excitement.
“Is it working?” I manage to ask, my voice soft and filled with shame.
He sits up and runs his fingers through his dark hair. “I’ll let you know.”
