Page 46 of Tanner

“Yeah.”

Tanner’s fingers tightened around the mug. “So what’s this?”

“A drink.” Cody spread one hand. “And me trying to make sure you know there are people in this town who remember you as more than just a problem or the kid that disappeared.”

Tanner sucked in a breath. He could still picture this place from years ago in strange, disconnected pieces. People who looked at him for too long and people who looked away too fast. Cody had been part of that town too. So had Orsen. So had everybody. But the two men sitting across from him now weren’t acting like they wanted anything from him.

Orsen put his cup down. “You don’t owe us anything.” Tanner looked over. “We asked you for coffee,” Orsen said. “That’s all.”

It should have been simple and maybe it was, but Tanner still didn’t know what to do with it. It all seemed so simple, but simple had disappeared from his life a long time ago.

They talked a little longer after that. Cody mentioned a barbecue at his place that weekend, casual enough that Tanner almost missed the shift until Cody pointed at him with his spoon.

“You should come.”

Tanner blinked. “Why?”

“Because there’ll be food. Savannah can run around the yard. You can leave early if you hate it.”

Tanner gave a short laugh before he could stop it. “That’s a terrible sales pitch.”

“It’s honest.”

Orsen chuckled. “There’ll be food and Cody can cook.”

“Are you trying to sell it to me?”

“You can come and leave if it gets too much.”

Tanner shook his head, then glanced at the clock over the counter. He needed to go and do some jobs before he collected Savannah. He should say no now and make his life easier, but somehow he heard himself say, “Maybe.”

Cody grinned. “That means yes in terrified person. I know all about that.”

“It means maybe.”

“I’ll take it.”

By the time he stood to leave, the awkwardness hadn’t gone away entirely, but it had changed slightly. He still wanted distance from people he didn’t know. He still didn’t trust either of them enough to relax around him, but he didn’t feel so guarded either. Cody paid before Tanner could argue, and Orsen only said, “Pickup’s at noon, right?” when they stepped outside.

Tanner nodded.

“Then you’ve got time.”

“For what?”

Orsen slid his sunglasses on. “To stop looking like you’re about to run from us.”

Cody laughed. “He’s working on it.”

Tanner muttered something under his breath that made Cody laugh harder, which was irritating enough that it almost covered the fact Tanner didn’t leave immediately. He stood there for another minute, talking about nothing important, before Cody said, “Pete’s looking for someone to clear junk out of the side yard at his old rental. Couple of hours’ work if you want it. He’ll pay cash.”

Tanner looked at him. “I’m not taking a favor.”

“Good,” Cody said. “Because I’m talking about work.”

Orsen added, “You’ll probably need gloves.”

Tanner exhaled heavily. A couple of hours and some money in his pocket sounded better than sitting around thinking. “Fine.”