Page 10 of To Teleport, or Not to Teleport?
He dropped my hand without turning, his jaw and shoulders tensing.
The hardness that came over him had me searching for the cause of his discomfort. My mouth opened to ask what was wrong, but I heard voices in the distance.
“Why did King Mac even let him return?”
“Forget King Mac. How the hell did he not go to the pokey like his father?”
Grayson’s words came out tight. “I wonder what special Wanda and DeeDee have for us tonight?” he asked, referring to the diner’s owners. Wanda was a raccoon Shifter, and DeeDee was a deer Shifter. Both women were beloved among the townspeople of Assjacket.
“Gray—”
“Let it go, Lee. I know not everyone is happy to have me home.”
He didn’t give me the chance to respond, which was great since I had no idea what to say to him.
Grayson opened the diner door and ushered me inside. Pointing at a heavy, dark-wood table covered in a shabby-chic tablecloth, he placed a warm palm on my lower back and guided me toward the corner. He helped me into my seat and rounded the table in a display of manners I didn’t remember him having before. I was also not oblivious to the fact he’d shielded me from the lookie-loos and was facing the townsfolk himself.
The whispers died down quickly, and it took everything in me not to turn around and see why. I grabbed one of the mismatched napkins and breathed in the delicious aromas flowing from the kitchen.
“Grayson!” DeeDee said, appearing at our side and setting down a tea kettle.
I grinned as she enveloped him in a warm embrace. Seeing someone other than Cami, Mrs. Troop, and I showing him the kindness and respect he deserved warmed my insides.
“Hello, DeeDee,” he said.
DeeDee pulled back and retrieved the tea kettle. “I’m so glad you’re home. All of us are,” she said, with a pointed look at her customers. “Tea?”
I flipped my floral teacup onto its saucer. “Yes, please.”
Once she’d poured the hot water, I grabbed a tea bag from an assortment on the table and dunked it.
“Want something heavier to go in there?” DeeDee asked.
“W-what? Why would I need something heavier?” I stammered.
DeeDee cast a side glance toward Grayson and offered me a wink. “If you change your mind, just give a holler.” She pulled two menus I’d not noticed from under her arm, set one before each of us, and walked away.
Wanting the fortification from the warm chamomile tea, I lifted the saucer to my lips, my pinky in the air. Grayson chuckled.
“What?” I asked as he opened his menu.
He shook his head, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Pinky up?”
“Look around. It’s kind of hard not to drink from these saucers without an extended pinky,” I hissed before bringing it to my lips. I winced a second later, realizing too late that the tea kettle was a fresh pot.
He dropped his menu and stared at me with concern. “Are you okay?”
Okay? No, I was not okay. Having my childhood best friend leave town—leave me—with little to no explanation made menot okaya long time ago. Having him return, while grand, had left my mind, heart, and especially my body in the worst case of spins I could ever recall. Up was down and down was up, and had I ever wanted to kiss Grayson as much as I did right now?
Unable to trust myself, I nodded before blowing on the hot liquid. Only a week ago, anything regarding Grayson McCune had been put into a box at the back of my mind labeledThe Past. The teen—who still lived somewhere inside me—who’d been half in love with her best friend was ecstatic to have him back. The woman who bore the scars of his departure wasn’t sure if she could handle a second round with abandonment.
Dinner was delicious at Assjacket Diner. I had expected as much, and Grayson’s happy sigh coupled with a belly rub told me he was also satisfied with his meal.
Shoulder to shoulder, he guided me back the way we came, and we turned down a side street. Grayson was explaining the struggles he’d had when learning to weld. He was in the middle of a story that involved him throwing out terms like porosity and gas shielding, but he’d lost me early on.
The sun had set, and the temperatures had dropped some. In my rush to not make him wait any longer, I’d forgotten to grab my light sweater. I crossed my arms over my chest and rubbed heat into my exposed arms, focusing on his excitement.
“Here I am, going on and on, and you’re chilled to the bone,” Grayson said.
