Page 34 of Statler

“I’ve got one,” Blue chirped.

“Me, too,” Sherbert confirmed.

Pipes also agreed, which probably meant that everyone else did, too.

“But we’ll char-up those steaks tomorrow, before I head to the bar, right?” Pipes looked for verification.

“We will. Before you head to the bar,” Statler agreed. “Now, I’m going in.”

He strode over to Hazard’s truck and quickly grabbed the groceries he’d bought specifically for himself. “I’m saying goodnight, now,” he let them know. “But is anybody up for a morning run at say, zero five hundred?”

Blue was the first to raise her hand, just as Statler had expected.

The woman was always game for physical activities, and for kicking the rest of the team’s ass, which she often accomplished.

Tonka also grunted his willingness to participate.

“Anyone else?” Stat raised a brow and got groans.

“How about you let us settle in for a day or two,” Hazard offered diplomatically. “Then we’ll come up with a fitness schedule.”

“Fine, you slugs,” Statler teased, because in reality, none of them were even close to being out of shape. “Just don’t expect me to go easy on you.”

“You never do,” Dizzy grumbled, but it was all said in fun. Normally, nobody minded getting sweaty before breakfast.

The group split up, each going to their own quarters.

Statler, once inside his own little cottage, lost his boots at the door, then quickly went to the kitchen and pulled the small casserole from the fridge. He popped it into the microwave, after which he shed his sweatshirt, then glanced at the phone as he dropped it on the counter.

Eliza.

Should he call her and give her an update on how their afternoon had gone? It wasn’t necessary by any means, but his fingers practically itched to make contact. Before he could talk himself out of it, he picked up his device and hit her name.

It rang twice.

“Hello?” her voice sounded tentative but warm.

“Eliza. Hi. It’s Statler.”

Duh. She would have known that from the caller ID.

“I hope I’m not bothering you?” he added.

Gah. This was a really dumb idea. He started apologizing before she even got anything out. “I just thought I’d fill you in on… You know what? I’m sorry. Maybe I should⁠—”

“No, Statler. It’s fine,” her sweet voice cut him off with reassurance. “I’d love to hear about your day.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

Eliza was trying not to read anything into it, but Statler had called her both Thursday and Friday nights to update her on his progress, and simply chat.

She knew it wasn’t necessary.

He had to know it wasn’t necessary.

Therefore, it made her feel a bit…special that he was reaching out.

After some awkward starts, they’d talked about his work and hers. He’d regaled her with anecdotes about his crew, and she’d given him some more colorful insights into the town of Liminal.