Page 51 of Wandering in Darkness
“My balls are perfectly sized,” Devon says as we damn near bump into him when we enter. Though Lt. Allen is in charge of the operations, he generally doesn’t go on scene. That’s when Devon Jefferson takes over.
We head over to a large booth where I’m squished between Grayson and Eddie, who is still trying to start shit. I guess throwing his body against Grayson’s car wasn’t enough for the day.
“Order whatever you like, it’s on me,” Lt. Allen announces.
“Except for Eddie, of course,” Devon adds.
“That should go without saying,” Audrey says with a grin. I notice that grin is aimed at Grayson, and I can’t help but wonder if she doesn’t know he’s gay… or maybe he’s bi? It’s not like my chicken ass has brought it up. Instead, I just smile at him too much, try not to blush, and do my best not to think about him whenever I’m not around him.
“Does that mean I get his food too?” I ask.
“You’re like Lt. Allen’s prized child. You can do no wrong,” Eddie says. “You could piss on his tires and everyone would pat you on the back.”
“That’s what happens when you weren’t born being a pesky shit,” Devon deadpans, and everyone laughs.
Eddie shakes his head like they’re all wrong. “My mom loves my pesky ass. Favorite child sitting right here.”
“I’d hate to meet your siblings, then,” Audrey teases.
That’s when I see Tate walk in and hurry over to our table. “Sorry I’m late,” he says before giving me a smile. He’s always been really nice to me ever since we joined together. It wasgreat having a friend since I came in knowing no one, and we’d thankfully stayed near each other until I left the military. But even now, he’s happy to give me a ride like he did this morning, and seems eager to hang out. “I got held up by my girlfriend.”
“Are you rubbing it in or something?” Eddie asks.
“Ha. Funny. I got held up because her cat got outside and we just spent an hour searching for the damn thing only to find that it was sunbathing two feet from where we’d spent a frantic hour searching for it.”
Eddie grins. “I want a cat.”
“I feel like you can’t even take care of yourself. Taking care of a cat would be very hard for you,” Devon says.
“All y’all are just jealous of the great Eddie. That’s what I’m hearing,” Eddie declares.
“I’ve only been here a minute, and I’m already well aware Eddie’s making shit up again,” Tate says.
“It’s what Eddie does,” Grayson agrees. “I’ve known that man for years and I bet eighty percent of what comes out of his mouth are badly timed jokes.”
“Badly timed, my ass. There’s no way all of you would be hanging out with me if they were badly timed. Perfectly timed is what you mean.”
“How about a shot every time Eddie says something foolish?” Tate suggests.
“We’d be wasted within minutes. Maybe a sip of our beer,” Grayson says.
“I can drive so you can drink,” I offer.
Grayson shakes his head. “Nah, you enjoy yourself.”
“Honestly, I’m not much of a drinker, and even if I did, I’d maybe have one beer. I have an early class too.”
“I guess I won’t fight you on it,” he says.
Evidently, the team sees everything that comes out of Eddie’s mouth as foolish because they lift their glasses everytime he speaks. Of course he gives them shit for it, but there’s no way they’re stopping; they’re loving every minute of it.
By the time they’re done for the night, everyone but Tate and me are wasted. Lt. Allen had left after about an hour, so Tate is tasked with getting Audrey, Devon, and Eddie home. I’m tasked with Grayson since I have his car. My plan is to drive him home, then borrow his car for morning classes since he said he doesn’t need it until after lunch.
All I know is this means I get to see him multiple days in a row.
We walk out to the cars, and I can’t help but laugh as Tate struggles to get Eddie into the back seat. Devon, who I swore drank just as much, seems completely fine and just watches without helping. But then again, I’m also watching without lifting a finger.
“I’m glad I got this car,” I observe.
