Arlo
Daydreaming about phone sex with Rina was not on my bingo card this year.
Keeping our … activities open-ended was one hell of a surprise too. I’m not sure what’s changed for Rina, but I’m not questioning things right now. If it means I get a little more of her, I’ll take it, even if I know it’ll eventually break my heart.
The office is quiet today because I gave Audrey the day off. Oakley should be here soon so we can head to Lennox’s house, and I’ve actually gotten some of the paperwork I’ve been procrastinating on finished.
I take a peek at my clothes and see my standard uniform of jeans and a graySheriffT-shirt is looking a little worse for wear, but it’s not like Lennox will give a shit. It’s suitable for a guys’ night or whatever we’re calling this.
Can we call it a guys’ night when our primary connection is Tennison? It feels wrong somehow.
“Hey, man, you ready?” Oakley’s voice startles me, and he grins like he knows exactly why I was distracted. Joke’s on him. No one would know a certain Hutton who hates me has my mind spiraling through a million possibilities.
“Yep. Do we need to pick anythingup on the way?” I ask.
He holds up a six-pack and a paper bag, and I’m happy he didn’t get any more. I rarely drink because I’m essentially always on duty, and I’m not sure if Lennox is drinking at all because of any pain medication he’s still on.
“Alright, let’s go.” I lead him out to my truck, and we climb in to head to Lennox’s cabin.
Oakley knocks on the door without preamble as I stand back and shift on my feet.
Lennox cracks the door before opening it just wide enough for us to walk through.
“Brought the sheriff. Hope that’s okay. Thought we could do a sort of guys’ night.” Oakley chuckles.
“What do you know about a guys’ night?” Lennox asks as we walk through the door.
“Not a damn thing, but there’s a first for everything. This one’s been bugging me about getting more friends, so that’s why I dragged him here.” Oakley tips his thumb over his shoulder to me as I grunt in reply.
He’s not wrong, but this wasn’t exactly what I had in mind when I told him to start forging friendships.
“Well, grab a seat. You want anything to drink?” Lennox asks as he hobbles to the couch.
“I can grab a water. Oakley brought some beer.” Walking to the kitchen, I grab a glass after searching through the cabinets and fill it up. I hear the crack of beer cans as I join the two of them in the living room.
I’ve been to Lennox’s cabin a few times, but I never realized how much space he has out here. His little cabin isn’t so little, with what looks to be a couple of bedrooms and a roomy living area and kitchen. He’s made quite the home here. Everything is updated and modern, and somehow still feels lived in and homie.
“I’ll get the elephant in the room out of the way. How are you doing, Lennox?” Oakley asks.
“I honestly don’t know.” He sighs. “I’m still processing shit.”
I nod at his vague answer. The whole reason we came over here was to not bring up all the shit he’s been through, so I’m not shocked at his lack of an answer.
“Sweet. Now that that’s out of the way, I brought food.” He sets down a bag I now realize is paninis, and my mouth starts to water. I recall I haven’t eaten since my protein shake this morning.
I reach out, and snag the one Oakley offers me and practically inhale it.
“Jesus, do I need to feed you as well as Willow?” Oakley asks with a chuckle.
“It’s been busy lately. Got a lot on my mind,” I say.
“A lot on your mind. Wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain Hutton sister, would it?” Oakley asks, and my head snaps up as soon as he says it. Lennox and Oakley laugh at my reaction, and it’s good to hear Lennox laugh, even if it is at my expense.
“I didn’t say anything,” I mumble.
“You didn’t have to. It’s in your reaction,” Lennox says as he takes a sip of beer.
“So, how’s Grind Time been since it re-opened?” I redirect the conversation.
