Page 58 of Slow Ride

Him.

They’d been waiting for him.Holy shit.

“If there weren’t a bunch of kids around, I’d drag you behind that shed and rectify this situation right this second.”He stepped closer to them, then admitted, grudgingly, “Look, I don’t have all the answers.I don’t know how to fix everything between us.I still have the same issues as before.The only thing I’m sure of is that I missed you two a hell of a lot and I don’t want to pretend like nothing happened between us.I couldn’t stand it if this was goodbye forever.”

“That’s a good place to start.”Wren kissed his cheek.

He took her hand and one of Jordan’s as he began to walk toward Van’s truck, where his friends were waiting for him to wrap things up and get on the road.

When they were a few feet away, Jordan imparted a last bit of wisdom.

“I think that’s how I fucked up before,” he said quietly.“I couldn’t see a solution, so I didn’t attempt to work on the problem.Why don’t we take it little by little and see what we can unravel together, okay?If it becomes too much or it’s too hard, then we can always decide to give up later.We shouldn’t quit before we start.”

Van and Kyra exchanged a glance at that.Kason thought the same would apply to them.If it was easy to see about his friends, he was probably missing the obvious himself.So he went for it.

“We have three more shows and then there’s a gap in the schedule to give everyone a break so they can go home, see their family, whatever…” Kason looked over to Van and Kyra, who smiled at him encouragingly.

Wren clasped Jordan’s hand and squeezed.Kason realized, maybe for the first time, that this was important to them too.They were finding their way and giving him a chance.He didn’t want to blow it.“Would you guys like to come check out my place?The one I told you about, Wren, where I write new music?It’s actually not that far from here.”

“Hownot far?”Jordan asked, as if he had very keen Spidey senses.The man was a special agent, after all.

“Let’s just say I agree with you about the fishing on Lake Logan.I’ve enjoyed it myself many times.”Kason couldn’t help but grin at their widened eyes.They were cute when they were surprised.“That’s how I heard about Hot Rides in the first place.”

“You said the week after next?”Jordan confirmed, shaking his head.

“Yeah.Could you guys maybe find some time to spend with me?”He sounded like he was begging, but fuck it, he was.

“That’s my last week of leave, so yeah.I’m good.”Jordan nodded, then looked at Wren.

“Let me talk to Quinn.Things are busier every day and with Gavyn preparing to be a father, I think we’re going to have to hire some more people.It’s still a long way away, but Amber has her own business to run, so Gavyn’s planning to be a stay-at-home dad for a while and let Quinn take on more responsibility for the shop.He’s been interviewing a couple of guys so we can have more coverage.Anyway…what I’m trying to say is, I think we can figure something out.”

“Great.”Kason grinned.“I’ll see you then.”

He waved, then headed toward his waiting bike, parked beside Van’s truck, thrilled to be riding it home even if it was only because of the illusion of freedom it gave him.

When he was nearly out of earshot, Wren shouted to him, “Hey, Kason!You remember my phone number, right?”

He gave her a thumbs-up.“Talk to you tonight.”

“Drive safe!”Jordan shouted right before Kason put his helmet on.

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