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“I want to, but I need to check back in on base before it gets too late. I promised the senior chief I’d see him.”
“Oh fine, be responsible.” Canaan’s laugh made it clear there were no hard feelings there. “I’m probably going to sleep until I have to be at work tomorrow anyway. Stop by if you get free? I’ll make you something special.”
“I can do that.” Maybe it really was going to be this easy. Maybe they would figure it out. Maybe, just maybe, they wouldn’t make a mess of things, and if he was truly lucky, he wouldn’t end up with a heart full of emotional shrapnel.
“I’m not sure I trust that SEAL of yours.” Canaan’s grandfather was in a fine mood as Canaan fixed them both some pasta for a late dinner. They’d both been eager to get back, so he and Renzo hadn’t stopped for food after Barstow. And he’d only gotten a rather fast kiss in the driveway, so he was already on edge, even before Grandpa started in. He was at the stove, Grandpa at the table, and Grandpa had been grilling him about how exactly he’d come to spend the night in the desert on a cliff ledge.
“Grandpa. He saved my life.” Canaan added a jar of sauce to the meat he’d browned in the skillet. He might not be the best cook, but he’d get some hot food into Grandpa, maybe calm him down. Maureen had texted last night after she’d stopped by that Grandpa seemed to be doing okay, but she’d checked on him again in the morning too. And medication wise, Grandpa did seem okay, but emotionally, he was still worked up. “He kept me safe.”
“I get that. And I’m grateful. But he’s used to danger like that. You’re not.”
“Which is why I’m glad he was with me. I...” Canaan wasn’t sure how much to admit, even to himself. “I care about him. A lot. He’s probably going to be coming around a lot more, so I need you to be nice.”
“Oh, I can be nice. I respect the hell out of the young man. But I worry about you, this hero worship thing you’ve got going on. I’m not sure you really get what you’re in for.”
“It’s not hero worship.” Canaan bristled as he drained the noodles. “And I guess I’ll learn on the job. So to speak.”
“I just don’t want to see you with a broken heart.” Grandpa took off his glasses, polished them. “Maybe hold something back?”
“Is that your convoluted way of telling me not to give the milk away free?” Canaan had to tease, try to lighten the mood. And indeed, it had the desired effect as Grandpa went light purple and sputtered.
“Uh. No. I’ll...uh...let you handle that.”
“Good.” Canaan served up the pasta with some salad from a bag. “And for what it’s worth, I worry about you too. Next time, maybe don’t give me such a hard time about having Maureen come check on you?”
“She’ll make a nice nurse,” Grandpa allowed.
And that led to safer dinner topics like Canaan’s week of classes and work and how nursing school was going. The issue of Renzo still loomed large, but shelving it for the moment seemed like the sanest course of action. Not that Renzo was far from Canaan’s mind while he ate.
Once he was back at his little apartment, he sat on the couch and dug out his phone, trying to figure out an appropriate goodnight text that wouldn’t seem too needy but might get a response.
Buzz. Thank God. Renzo had texted first, saving him the trouble.
Is your bed bigger than this stupid twin I’ve got in the barracks? Please say yes.
Canaan chuckled to the empty room and typed a fast response. Yeah, it’s a queen. With a sturdy headboard. Just saying. And you’re welcome to see it anytime. Tonight even.
Hoping that wasn’t too eager, he hit Send. And didn’t have to wait too long for a response either. I wish on tonight. But I really should take care of some stuff here. And just had epic conversation with my mom, so I’m not great company.
He wanted to keep the message thread going, so he was quick with his reply. Was it as bad as mine with Grandpa? Maybe she was just super worried about you. And I understand about tonight, but give me fifteen minutes and a phone call and I’ll take your mind off things...
Renzo’s reply had him laughing again, almost like he was there in the room for Canaan to banter with. I suck at phone sex. And I need way more than fifteen minutes with you. Use that energy thinking up a drink for me tomorrow, and I’ll see what I can do about coming to see that bed of yours later in the week ;)
