Page 34 of Absolution

They glance at each other. "Dibs!"

"I'll hit it, and I don't even know her name." Quinn boasts.

"Since when did you ever need to know their names?" Lee chides.

Mark slaps Quinn on the back, then flexes. "Dude, bigger is better."

"Hell will freeze over before I repeat her name. You're not running her information." I cross my arms in defiance.

"Scarlet. The vet at Cherry Grove. Not into him." Mark runs down the details I just shared with him and Lee.

Quinn smacks his hands together. "This is going to be sweet."

"I give up!"

"It's a fucking date! Man the fuck up and ask her." Mark scoffs. "Damn, I sound like your Dad."

"You're old enough to be, you old fucker."

Quinn chuckles. "He's not wrong."

"Didn't you say that the visit with your parents went well?" Lee cares about everyone and always wants to help.

"Yeah, we had a good time, there was no pressure, and I have to admit, they're pretty cool."

She sighs. "So, go back. Relax, have fun. If you run into Scarlet, ask her out. If you don't, nothing to see here."

"This is why we need women; you know that don't ya?" I cock my brow.

"Because they're smarter than us." Liam slips his arm over Lee's shoulder.

"Oh, I thought he meant sex." Liam backhands Quinn in the stomach, taking his breath. "Damn, man."

I lean in, kissing Lee on the cheek. "Thank you."

"Anytime..." she hesitates. "well, anytime the Dynamic Duo isn’t here."

"You can say that again." I roll my eyes and head out the door.

As much as I hate to say it, they're right. Again. I have to stop letting my past define my future. I've allowed fear to control my life for far too long. It's time for me to live.

"No time like the present." I pull out my phone, scroll until I find the number and hit call. My nerves start to get the best of me, and I start pacing the parking lot.

"Creed?" Crawford's voice is low. "Are you okay?"

I swallow hard, finding my courage. "Hey, Craw…ford. Yeah, we're good. I didn't mean to worry you."

"Okay. Well then, how can I help?"

"I was wondering... hoping I could visit again. Like, this weekend. Maybe. If that's alright if not, no worries." I rub the back of my neck. I'm making a mess of this thing.

"Absolutely." His only word. No questions, nothing but acceptance.

"Does Friday afternoon work?"

"Perfectly but Creed, you never have to ask to come here. The door is always open."

I drop my head with understanding. "You can say home, Craw. I know where I'm from."