I was in my living room when I saw the dust rising as Ryan’s truck approached. I expected him to come in my door; instead, he went to Emmy’s. A few minutes later, I heard her laughter through the open windows on the back of the house.
“Do you see all those woods out there?” he said as he pulled her door open. “They are filled with bears.”
“Put me down!” she shrieked.
“Not until you apologize for making us worry.”
“Fine, I’m sorry. Now, put me down.” I was a little jealous that Ryan always had his hands all over her. Maybe more than a little, I admitted to myself as I listened to them laughing.
“My grandfather had a heart attack, he’s okay, but I had to go be with my family. My phone got messe
d up, and I forgot my laptop. I left in a hurry.” I was eavesdropping, and I wasn’t ashamed at all. I had to figure out how he did it. How he got her to open up to him so easily.
“We were really worried about you. When we got back and the truck was gone and your door was unlocked, well…”
“I was fine, and I didn't get eaten by a bear. I haven't even seen a bear,” she laughed.
“I bet they have seen you.” Ryan said, his voice getting smaller as he followed her back into the house. The conversation went on for another few minutes before I heard Ryan start talking about the competition last weekend. He was bragging and over exaggerating a little, not that he was ever known to do that.
I stepped onto the back porch and was headed across the yard when Ryan pushed the back door open.
“Luke!” he shouted at me. “Cook out here at seven, you in?”
“Sure.” I smiled back and then walked to my shop. I had to get some work done, and now that I knew she was okay, I could concentrate a little better.
***
“Dude, you stink.” Ryan said as I walked into my house.
“Well that's why I am going to take a shower. You know sweat is what happens when you are actually working and not sitting in a cushy office.”
“First of all, my office is not cushy.” He held up one finger. “Second, my body wasn't made for hard labor.” He held up three fingers.
“Apparently, it isn't made for being able to count either.” I reached out and shoved his shoulder as I walked toward the stairs.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. You know that finger doesn't bend right.” He proceeded to show me and flip me off at the same time. “Go shower, I'm gonna run to grab steaks. I'll be back in a couple hours. Put the potatoes in the oven when you get out.”
I did as instructed and pulled the potatoes out of the oven around the time Ryan’s truck grumbled to a stop outside my door.
“Look at these beauties.” He nodded as he laid three steaks out across my counter. “I made Marley open up the butcher shop to get these. I just wasn't feeling pre-cut grocery store steaks today. “
I grabbed them, ripping each one from its paper wrap. I seasoned them thoroughly and then put them on a plate.
“The grill is already on; it may be a little hot.” I handed the plate of steaks over the bar to Ryan as he walked toward the door.
Chapter Fourteen
Emerson
“Oh eww, do you want some steak with your blood?” I couldn't help but notice as Luke’s steak was bleeding all over his plate. “That thing is going to jump up and run off.” I scrunched my nose in disgust.
“His is the same way.” He pointed his fork over at Ryan’s plate, and sure enough his was swimming in blood too. If I was being honest, it wasn't blood so much as pink colored juices from the steak, but it certainly wasn’t done. Ryan had asked me how I wanted my steak, and I had answered done. Luke had grumbled and complained about city people and cooking things to death to which I had replied with “that was the point.” He didn't like my answer, but he did as I had asked, and I was pleased when there was no pink inside of my steak.
I reached for the bowl of shredded cheddar cheese and pulled it to me, dropping some over the melted butter inside my potato. As I mashed the potato around inside its skin, I realized that everyone had stopped talking, I looked up and found both of them watching me.
“What?”
“Are you trying to murder your potato too?” Luke asked laughing.