“So fucking busy. I don’t even understand how because it’s not like we have a huge influx of people in town. I saw Kelly when I stopped at Sal’s Diner the other day, and she was giving me shit for stealing all her customers.”
“She’s just giving you a hard time. Sal’s is still as busy as ever.” I roll my eyes.
Lennox slowly starts eating his sandwich, and relief hits my chest. The guilt is a little less heavy knowing he’s interacting with us. He’s still covering up the worst of his cuts with a long-sleeved shirt, but hopefully those are healing as well. I’m going to have to talk to Oakley about making this a weekly or bi-weekly thing. It’s good for Lennox and probably for me as well.
Who knew I’d ever want to continue guys’ night willingly?
Headlights shine through the front window, and Lennox’s brow furrows as his shoulders stiffen. I unilaterally decide to have a chat with whomever it is and tell them to fuck off so Lennox can have a little peace. I’ll do it nicely, of course.
Heaving my stiff back up from the couch, I walk to the front door and open it just as Rina walks up the front steps.
“Umm.”
“What are you doing here?” I ask at the same time.
“Checking in on my brother, asshole. What are you doing here?” Her normal snark hits me square in the chest.
“Guys’ night with Oakley.”
“You? At a guys’ night?” She smirks, and a smile cracks my face.
“I know, hard to believe, but here I am.” I open up my arms.
“You going to let her in or just stand there in this weird version of flirting you guys do?” Lennox calls out.
“You’re busy. I just thought I’d check in,” Rina says awkwardly, rocking back on her heels as her cheeks turn a subtle pink.
“I’m good, Marina. I promise,” Lennox says.
Rina’s eyes narrow at his use of her full name, and I see the instant her fire gears up.
“Well,Lenny,excuse me for wanting to be a good sister and check in on you. I was going to see if you needed a grocery stock-up, but you’re on your own now.” She crosses her arms. I know if Lennox said he needed anything, she’d drop the act in a heartbeat, but it’s wonderful to see the two of them bantering, considering how unsure we all are around Lennox. This normalcy is needed for everyone.
“Aww, Rina, you know I’m fucking with you,” Lennox says in his best “annoying little brother” voice.
“I know. Seriously, I was just making sure you were stocked up. Since you’ve got ‘the boys’ here,” she air quotes, “I’ll be on my way. Text me if you need me to pick up any groceries, though.” She spins on her heel and throws up a hand as she skips down to her truck.
I stand in the doorway, watching as she climbs in and reverses down Lennox’s driveway.
“Damn. He’s whipped already,” Oakley murmurs.
“Another one bites the dust.” Lennox sighs.
“Shut the fuck up,” I grumble as I join them back on the couch.
We spend the rest of the evening watching a hockey game and talking about nothing of consequence. Oakley may have been onto something with this.
Too bad my next decision negates all the good I’m feeling.
On my way home from Lennox’s, I pull up Rina’s number and hit dial. After seeing her at Lennox’s, I know I need more of her today. This time, I want to see if we can have an actual conversation before we fuck each other’s brains out.
“What?” she asks.
“Meet me in an hour?” I ask without preamble. We both know the current score, even if I wish it were different.
“Where?” she clips, and I get the feeling she’s mad about something. At least she’s intrigued enough to meet me.
“The falls,” I say impulsively. The falls—or Bluebell Falls—is our spot. It’s where we snuck away when we were younger. Hidden from the town, it was where we were allowed to just be us. It’s where we fell in love.
