Ridge turns toward me. “You flyin’ out of Sitka or Salt Hollow?”
Sitka is the larger airport on the coast of Alaska. It’s typically where I fly from, given Salt Hollow is super small and doesn’t fly everywhere. It’s a mini airport without all the luxuries most major airports have.
But in this case, South Carolina is one of the places it flies to.
“Salt Hollow, actually. Glad I checked ’cause I wasn’t sure South Carolina would even be on its route.”
The guys nod, Suede looking toward me in question. “You are coming back, right? Just gotta know if I need to have your bucket cleared out.” He laughs, fucking with me.
“You touch my tools, I’ll kill you.” I point the tip of my bottle at him.
He holds his hands up in surrender. “No touching will be done. Just never seen you like this, man.” I cut him a look. “Not a bad thing. It’s good to see you excited about something.”
When rock bottom hit after Ben died, these guys were my fucking lifeline. Never ask questions, just showed up for me without even having to ask. My bills were paid, when to methey weren’t even a thought. Meals were sent for me and Syd. Anything and everything they could do to be there, they did tenfold.
In linework, we’re taught about the brotherhood between linemen. You are your brother’s keeper. The one looking out for your buddy on the hotline, but also out of the field.
Life lessons I take with me everywhere.
“I’m gonna be honest,” I draw out. “I’m fucking terrified. But I’m even more terrified not to try. I could get there, and she could tell me she doesn’t want to be with me. It’d kill me, but I gotta prepare for it, ya know?”
Although we have only spent two weeks with each other in person, these past two months getting to know each other from a distance have been just as incredible. I’ve never connected with anyone the way I do Collie, and for the first time in all my life, I’m ready to put myself out there.
For me. For her.For us.
Nods surround me. They’re all in very different seasons of life, yet there’s a mutual understanding. There’s always a risk to putting yourself out there. Ridge has three young boys at home that he raises on his own. Talk about a shit ton of work for a working Dad to do. I admire his tenacity because I’ve seen how challenging it is.
Those boys look up to him more than anything, though.
I want that someday. A family. A fruitful life with the woman I love.
“And she might do that. But there’s no harm in trying. At this point, what do you have to lose?” Grey asks.
“Absolutely nothing. It’s a risk I’m willing to take.”
Suede pops open another bottle. “At this point, I’m just stoked to see you open to new things, brother. Ben’s death fucked you up. After everything with Syd and the wedding…shit, sometimes I don’t know how you’re still standing.”
It’s grace. Grace from another human being who didn’t know a lick there was to know about me and gave me the best gift she could give—acceptance. I’m grateful for that.
“I think I always could do better,” I tell him honestly. “But something had to wake me up. Being in Yellowstone taught me that. Collie taught me that. Ben would have wanted me to be happy and not alter my life for him. I know that now.”
“It would have been nice to know it sooner, but whatcha gonna do?” Grey chuckles.
“Tell me about it,” I groan. “I’m gonna make it count this time. I can promise you that. I’m gonna make him proud.”
Suede’s hand finds my shoulder. “You already have, my man. I believe that.”
Gretchen delivers our burgers and asks if we want to go ahead and put in our dessert orders. “Four slices of peanut butter pie, pretty lady,” Grey tells her.
He’s such a fucking flirt.
“So, what’s the plan when you get there? You gonna proclaim your undying love for her and whisk her away into the sunset?” Ridge asks.
“What kind of Disney plan is that?” Suede blurts.
“If it were any other woman, maybe. But not with Collie. She’s a bit of a wild card.”
“Makes sense why you like her so much,” Suede says assuredly.
