Drew strolled over to the cooler and grabbed a bottle of water. He downed it earlier than answering. “Why would I inform you knuckleheads if I did, hmm?”

Fortunately, Sophia, Romeo’s spouse, selected that second to deliver a big platter of meat outdoors. Dialog just about turned nonexistent as everybody centered on the meals.

His reprieve didn’t final lengthy, although. About 5 minutes into the meal, the consuming slowed, and the dialog resumed. After all, his telephone name was nonetheless on the prime of the topic listing.

“At the very least inform us if it was a lady? It was a lady, proper?” This time it was Baily who chimed in.

Drew sighed. Not answering would solely work the fellows up extra, however he didn’t need to say an excessive amount of both. His relationship with Beth, no matter it was, was personal. “Sure, it was a lady. Your sister, truly. She wished to know if I used to be free tonight.”

Irwin and Romeo laughed. Baily scowled. “Not humorous, man.”

“Yeah, it actually was,” Romeo mentioned.

With a number of well-placed feedback, Drew was capable of deflect the dialog away from his telephone name. He doubted it will final indefinitely, although.

Certain sufficient, the following day the fellows began in with little feedback. First it was Baily asking if he wanted to take a seat down and have a heart-to-heart with Drew in regards to the birds and the bees. Then it was Romeo with a suggestion of relationship recommendation. The one one who stored his opinions to himself was Irwin.

“Come on, guys. It was only a name.”

“Yeah, ’trigger I’m going operating for privateness when my associates name,” Romeo hollered from the highest of the truck.

“Perhaps I simply didn’t need to make them take heed to all of your whining,” Drew shouted again.

There was a collective chuckle.

Earlier than the fellows might get began once more with the questioning, the alarm went off they usually all deserted cleansing the rig to answer a small kitchen hearth a few blocks from the station. Your entire name took just a little over an hour. It was sufficient to get the fellows’ minds off Drew’s private life, however he knew to not get his hopes up. That’s why as quickly as they have been again on the station, he cleaned his gear as rapidly as he might, after which barricaded himself in his workplace.

All through the afternoon, there have been knocks on his door from not solely his crew, however almost each one of many guys on the station. It was nearly as in the event that they’d developed a rotation and brainstormed excuses to hassle him. He wasn’t positive in the event that they have been ready for him to increase an invite for one among them to come back in and speak, or in the event that they have been hoping to catch him on the telephone once more. Both manner, they have been dissatisfied. He would reply their query after which ship them on their manner. After some time, he started pondering of assignments to maintain them busy. As soon as they realized bothering him was getting them extra work, the interruptions turned much less frequent.

When dinnertime rolled round, Drew grabbed his meals, and headed again to his workplace. He wasn’t within the temper to socialize although he knew doing so would solely invite extra questions. What he actually wished to do was speak to Beth, however he didn’t suppose calling her so quickly can be a good suggestion. He didn’t need her to suppose he was a stalker or something.

Sleep was a very long time coming that evening. He’d waited till many of the guys had gone to mattress earlier than heading for his assigned cot. Even then, he’d heard a few coughs and mumbled phrases as he made his option to his mattress.

Though he wished the fellows would let it go, Drew knew that wasn’t going to occur. It wasn’t the way in which issues have been carried out. He was performing unusual, they usually all knew it. Drew was going to have to determine one thing to inform them. It could be totally different if he and Beth have been already in a relationship. This friendship of theirs was just a little extra difficult to clarify.

If he and Beth did find yourself in a relationship, he was positive she’d meet the fellows ultimately. It was type of inevitable. He wasn’t apprehensive. Beth might maintain her personal. Drew had little doubt about that. It was the worry that if his buddies discovered what Beth was—what he was—Drew had no thought if it will change how they seen him.

It ended up being a gradual evening. They’d been referred to as out just a little after one to a doable coronary heart assault. The EMTs had taken the person to the hospital, after which they’d all returned to the station. Nights like that have been uncommon, so Drew counted his blessings.

5 days later, he walked into his condominium round 9 with an arm stuffed with groceries. Earlier than leaving for his shift the day earlier than, Drew observed his fridge was disturbingly empty. Granted, he didn’t prepare dinner a lot outdoors the station—it was solely him, in spite of everything—however that didn’t imply he wished to eat peanut butter on stale bread for each meal. Plus, he was off for the following 4 days, and the very last thing he wished to do was eat frozen dinners your complete time.

Setting the baggage down on the counter, he went to work placing every part away. Drew positioned a few tomatoes on the counter beside a bag of onions and a few garlic. One among today he hoped Beth would let him prepare dinner for her. After all, there have been plenty of issues Drew hoped she’d let him do for her.

His ideas started drifting into X-rated territory when he heard his telephone beep. Digging it out of his pocket, he checked the message he’d simply acquired. His coronary heart skipped a beat when he noticed it was Beth. He hadn’t heard from her since they’d spoken on the telephone the week earlier than, and he hadn’t been capable of make it to the membership on Saturday. When he hadn’t heard from her once more, he’d debated calling her, however had hesitated. He was attempting to let her set the tempo.

I hope I didn’t trigger you any issues with your mates. – Beth

Drew rapidly typed out a response.

You didn’t. I used to be completely happy you referred to as.

Okay. – Beth

Her reply didn’t give him a lot to work with, however he wasn’t prepared to finish their dialog but—even when it was solely through textual content.

The café is closed right now, isn’t it?

Sure. – Beth

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