Page 11 of Vaughn

I'm not willing or ready to discuss this with anyone, much less these guys. "See this." I mimic locking my mouth andthrowing away the key. "Y'all might be into gossiping about your love lives, but I'm not."

Boone comes back out with what he needs to make the meal for us. He eyes the group, no doubt picking up on the vibes that are flowing between us. Like he always does, he somehow manages to make things less tense. "Are you on call for later in the week?" He looks over at me, eyebrows raised. "I saw the weather forecast, and it seems like it's going to get bad to the north."

"Yeah." I take another drink from my beer. "I volunteered, but I hope I don't have to go. I'd rather stay here. I'm not into being there for a few weeks with potentially no electricity and sweltering temps, but it is what it is."

I hope they can't read between the lines, that I don't want to leave Val. Back when I volunteered and I didn't have much going on in my life, the money was worth it. Now I don't care about the money.

"I'll keep my fingers crossed for ya." Abel flicks his hat onto the table in between us.

That move and the sentiment says more than words ever could. Just like that we're back to zero, as are me and the rest of us.

"How many burgers y'all want?" Boone grins, as he stands at the Blackstone.

"As many as you've fuckin' got." Jasper yells.

"God, I'm glad y'all aren't growing anymore. I about went broke trying to feed y'all when you'd come over as teenagers. Thought for sure I'd have to pawn some video game system once or twice."

Jasper gets up from where he sits, and goes over to put his arm around Boone. "I don't think any of us have ever really thanked you for the safe space you gave us during that time inour lives. You did more than our own parents did, when you obviously couldn't afford it easily. We love ya, big guy."

It got serious real quick, but it's true. Boone Wilson has been a part of our lives since we were kids, and sometimes he doesn't get enough credit for that. We're quiet until a few seconds later, Abel speaks.

"Way to make me look like shit."

It's the break in the heaviness we need to continue having a good time.

Four hours later, I'm a bit tipsy and slightly sunburned from sitting out on the back porch at a weird angle, when my phone buzzes in my pocket. Reaching in, I grab it out, fully expecting it to be work, verifying that I will be on call.

Instead, I'm surprised to see it's Val.

Hot Baker: Are you up for watching some TV? I don't wanna be alone tonight.

I glance around at my friends. Everyone is starting to pack up and head home.

Me: Sounds good, I can be there in about fifteen? Want me to bring anything?

Hot Baker: Just yourself.

Me: I'm fixing to leave, see you soon.

"It's been fun tonight, we'll have to do it again, but I gotta head on out."

Jasper glances at my phone, and then back up at me, smirk on his face. "Have a good time."

No one else says anything, but everyone is offering me smiles, and I know that they know. As long as they don't say anything, I'm not rising to what they want me to. Heading out to my truck, I open the door and get in. Before I press the button to start it, I grip the steering wheel. "Keep your shit together." I whisper to myself. "She's inviting you over because she trusts you. Remember that."

The ride over is quicker than I remember, or maybe it's because I'm looking forward to being with her, but when I pull into the back of Get Baked, I blow out a breath and then get out. Taking the steps two at a time, I stand in front of the door, and before I can knock on it, she's opening it to me.

"Hey." She smiles, pulling the door back so that I can see inside.

"Hey yourself. What are you doing up so late?"

She wrinkles her nose. "When I don't have to be at work early in the morning, I do stay up later than normal. I took a nap this afternoon, which is why I invited you over. I wanna watch some TV, and I didn't want to do it on my own."

"I'm glad you invited me." I stand around, swinging my hands back and forth.

"I know it's not much, but it's mine." She raises her shoulder, in an almost embarrassed gesture.

For the first time I take a look around. It's a studio, with the only delegation being a folding partition, that I imagine her bed is behind. There's a small kitchen with a tiny countertop and a full stove, there's only one basin for the sink. The couch and TV are in the corner, but there's enough room for at least two people to sit on it comfortably. There are little touches all over the place that remind me of her. A colorful picture adorns one of the walls, on another one there's an inspirational quote. "This is very muchyou, Val, at least from how much you've allowed me to get to know you so far."

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