“I tried to warn you!” I was backing away too, because more ducks had joined the assault and they were moving in formation like a well-trained military unit. “Why are they so angry?”
“I don't know! Maybe they had a bad day!”
One of the ducks went for Rook's shoelace and started pulling on it with a determination that was honestly impressive. Another one decided my ankle looked like a good target and started pecking at my jeans with enough force that I felt it through the denim.
“Retreat!” I shouted, already turning to run. “Tactical retreat!”
We took off across the field like we were being chased by zombies instead of a gang of pissed-off ducks, and the absurdity of the situation hit me halfway through and I started laughing so hard I could barely breathe. Rook was laughing too, that full-body kind that made him stumble over his own feet, and we didn't stop running until we were a safe distance away and the ducks had apparently decided we weren't worth the effort.
We collapsed onto a park bench, both of us breathing hard and grinning like idiots, and I couldn't remember the last time I'd laughed this hard at anything.
“That was ridiculous,” Rook said between gasps. “We just got chased off by ducks.”
“You're a professional athlete,” I pointed out. “Captain of a hockey team. And you got outmaneuvered by a bird.”
“So did you!”
“Yeah, but I'm not the one with the athletic reputation to maintain.” I was still grinning, chest warm despite the cold air. “This is going to haunt you forever.”
“Don't you dare tell anyone about this.”
“Oh, I'm absolutely telling everyone about this.” I leaned back against the bench, feeling lighter than I had in weeks. “This is going in my permanent memory bank under 'Times Rook Kincaid Was Defeated By Nature.'”
He shoved my shoulder lightly, but he was smiling, and the expression was so open and genuine that I felt my chest tighten with want I couldn't afford to feel.
We sat there for a while longer, just breathing and existing in the aftermath of duck-based chaos, and I let myself pretend for a minute that this was normal. That we did this all the time. That this easy warmth between us wasn't going to end the second reality came crashing back in.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out to see a text from Talia asking if I'd be home later to grab the rent money. Right. Because real life didn't pause just because I was having a good time.
I called her instead of texting back, and she picked up on the second ring.
“Hey,” I said. “Yeah, I'll be home in a bit. Can you send me your half now? I'm going to swing by and pay it on the way back.”
“Sure, give me a sec.” I heard her moving around in the background, probably grabbing her phone to transfer the money. “Done. You good?”
“Yeah, I'm good. Thanks, Tal.”
“Love you,” she said, and hung up before I could say it back.
I stared at my phone for a second, watching the notification come through that she'd sent her portion of the rent. Then I looked at Rook, who was watching me with an expression that was too perceptive for my own good.
“Rent?” he asked.
“Yeah.” I pocketed my phone and tried to figure out how to explain this without sounding pathetic. “Talia sends me her half every month, and I pay the landlord.”
“That's responsible of her.”
“It is. Except her half doesn't actually go to rent.” The words came out before I could stop them, and Rook's eyebrows shot up. “I put it in a savings account for her. She thinks she's contributing, but really I'm covering the full amount myself.”
“Soren—”
“Before you say anything, I know it sounds stupid. But she needs that savings more than I need her to help with rent. She's drowning herself in overtime at that finance job, and one day she's going to want out. So I just let her think she's helping, and I handle the rest.”
“That's not stupid,” Rook said quietly. “That's you taking care of your family.”
“Yeah, well. That's kind of my full-time job.” I stood up from the bench because sitting still was making me feel too exposed. “Come on. I need to actually pay this before the landlord starts sending passive-aggressive emails.”
Rook followed me without question, and we made our way out of the park and back toward where he'd parked his truck. The drive to my place was quiet in a way that felt comfortable instead of awkward, and I directed him through the streets until we pulled up in front of my building.
