Page 29 of Off the Clock
“The next few days are gonna be even worse.” Tony slowed his walk further. Another place and time, we’d hold hands, an urge that made my chest ache as he continued, “Funny how when I was based out of the south, the heat was simply a fact of nature, something to ignore after a while. But back home in Oregon, a few ninety-degree days is cause for mass panic.”
“We’re not equipped to deal with heat. The rental, like most older homes here, doesn’t have A/C. I’m dying at night.” Thinking back to our last few late-night text sessions, I shot him a pointed look. “For more than the usual reasons.”
“Poor baby. You need a way to cool off.”
“Suggestions?” I doubted we had enough time for a shower-for-two before Scotty returned from ice cream with friends, but I’d at least consider whatever sexiness Tony was thinking.
“I have the perfect shaded hike along a creek near Mount Hood. Crystal clear, freezing cold water. You’ll love it.”
Okay. Not a sexy suggestion at all. An outing with our clothes on sounded suspiciously date-like. “You asking me out?”
“Nah.” Tony wrinkled his nose like we’d passed week-old garbage. “Just a suggestion. Something to do on our day off tomorrow. I’m not used to forty-eight hours in a row.”
I made a frustrated noise. I both wanted and didn’t want his offer to be a date. “Well, if it keeps you from being bored.”
“Hey.” Stopping near a blue house with high hedges, Tony turned toward me. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”
“You didn’t.” I hated how defensive I sounded. “I know what this is, even without the complication of our work situation.”
Ha. I was such a liar. I no longer had any clue what we were doing, as this certainly didn’t feel like any casual hookup or friends-with-benefits situation I’d ever known.
“Yeah.” Tony blew out a breath, looking off into the horizon. “So, are we on to hike tomorrow?”
“Sure.” I tried to sound more enthusiastic about the prospect of a day outdoors. After all, I couldn’t be sure how many more days I’d have with Tony. “Might as well. Otherwise, I’ll be home alone. Despite the heat, Scotty is working with the other guys landscaping tomorrow.”
“The work has been good for him.” Tony kept his slow pace as if he too wanted to maximize each moment together, delay reaching our street. “Angel says Scotty has been super helpful. Maybe the routine is what he needed?”
“Yeah. He definitely needed something to do, but don’t go putting stars in his eyes over the military as a similar source of routine and discipline.”
“I, of all people, am not about to hard sell any kid on serving. I don’t regret enlisting, but I won’t sugarcoat the costs and realities.”
“Thanks.” I sighed as we walked on. “And I know you won’t. I just worry because my mom is already a basket case about my work.”
That she wished I’d chosen anything other than a first-responder career was a major understatement and part of why I’d stubbornly stayed away too much when Scotty was younger.
“You both have to let Scotty chart his own course.” Tony’s tone was pragmatic, but I still bristled.
“His course last year was a flaming disaster.” I paused to settle my snappish edge. If I examined the last month or so beyond Scotty’s perpetual crankiness, I had to admit he seemed to be in a better place mentally. “But at least these new friends aren’t encouraging his worst impulses. Things are looking up.”
“They are.” Tony gave me an unexpectedly warm smile. “Literally. Can’t wait to be up in the mountains tomorrow.”
I faked a groan. “IsupposeI can let you drag me away from my window fan.”
“You suppose.” He chuckled. “And I suppose I might let you find a bush we can hide behind to get…better acquainted with nature.”
“Now there’s an idea.” I grinned, walking faster so that tomorrow could hurry up and get here.
Chapter Fifteen
Caleb
“Coffee?” Tony greeted me early the next morning by holding out a steaming travel mug. “I already added enough milk and sugar to make it closer to dessert.”
“Thanks.” I smiled sheepishly. He knew me a little too well. “I’ve come a long way in cleaning up my diet, but my sweet tooth has never fully gone away.”
“Aww. Stay sweet, Caleb.” Chuckling, Tony waited for me to unlock the truck. We’d agreed last night to take my truck since it had four-wheel drive. Tony had his own mug of coffee plus a light backpack slung over one shoulder. I’d already put my pack in the truck after hurriedly tossing in two hydration flasks, my first-aid kit, some trail mix with a dubious expiration date, and a few protein bars. Tony saluted me with his mug before climbing into the truck and putting his backpack next to mine on the back seat. “And I even added sugar to my coffee. Had a hard time sleeping last night.”
“Hard, huh?” I leered at him.