Page 107 of Reeves

“You could probably strengthen the surrounding muscles and take some strain off the joint,” I say. “Stability work. Controlled movement.”

“Are you giving me homework?”

“Free advice.”

“That sounds suspicious.”

“I’m serious. I'd be happy to take a look more closely, or send you some exercises to help strengthen the area around the shoulder to better support it."

For a moment, he just watches me, as if he’s trying to decide if he wants to take the bait. I may not have been in his life for the last six years, but I know Reeves Stone well enough to know he doesn't take help easily.

“I might have to take you up on some of your suggestions if you're offering.”

The acceptance catches me slightly off guard, even though I meant the offer.

“Of course,” I say. “Tell me how you want me to help you.”

His gaze drops briefly to the counter between us, then back up.

“Guess I’m not used to someone offering to fix me instead of telling me to tough it out.”

Neither of us says anything after that for a few seconds. How do we not know how to be alone together?

The dishwasher hums behind me, and I hear a car passing slowly down the street outside. Reeves shifts his weight and rolls his shoulder once.

I push away from the counter.

“Want to step outside for a bit?” I ask. “It’s a nice night.”

He glances toward the back door, then back at me.

“Yeah,” he says. “I’d like that.”

Before heading out, I open the refrigerator and glance at him. "Beer? Or I think I have a bottle of wine somewhere."

"Beer's great."

I pull out two bottles of Abita and hand him one. Our fingers brush when he takes it, just like they did when I handed him his clean clothes earlier.

Stop noticing things like that.

But I can't stop. Because everything about tonight has been different. The easy way he talked to Benjy. How he fixed the treehouse without being asked. The quiet concentration on his face when he read that bedtime story.

I twist open my beer and take a sip, watching him do the same. I love the way his strong hand twists it off so easily, how the veins run up his tattooed arm.

"Patio?"

He nods and follows me to the back door. I flip off the outside light and step onto the deck, letting the warm night air wash over me.

There are two chairs and alittle table where Benjy and I eat breakfast sometimes when the weather's nice. String lights hang along the edge of the roof, casting soft circles of light across the space.

I settle into the chair across from Reeves, the metal still warm from the day's heat. The grill beside us ticks as it cools, and I can smell the lingering scent of charcoal and grilled meat.

"Benjy's two-burger request." I shake my head. "That was funny. I think he was showing off for you."

"He's getting ready for his teenage years." Reeves takes a long pull from his beer. "It takes a lot of protein to grow a boy into a man."

The string lights cast gentle shadows across his face. He looks different out here. Less guarded than he was on Thursday night when we met for the first time.