Page 4

I survey the common room, tallying the group under my breath. "Twelve, thirteen, fourteen."

Hmm. That's not bad. It's only the third Drop-in Tuesday we've run so far, and the numbers have gone up each time.

"You've done a really good job here, kid."

I turn toward the deep voice coming from my left and see Tex approaching.

He was super supportive of this initiative, and without his help, I wouldn't have gotten even half the turnout.

Former military personnel who live on the mountain aren't the most social of people—something I can totally relate to—but since Tex is one of the most respected guys around here, as well as the Fire Chief of the local wildland firefighting branch, when he summoned these guys to haul their asses in here, they listened.

Well, a lot of them did.

"Thanks." I smile at the man I've known my whole life. He's my dad's best friend, so he's basically like an uncle. Because I feel so safe with him, I've been able to push myself out of my comfort zone and strike up conversations with some of these guys. Me? Semi-social. It's wild.

"I couldn't have done it without you."

"You absolutely could have." He nudges me with his elbow. "You should be proud of yourself, Logan. You've only been working here a few months, and you're already making a positive difference."

"I'm just doing my job," I say, spotting Tex's buddies and my sometimes verbal sparring partners Mitch, Bronson, Lance, and Cliff walking in. "Let the shit talking begin."

He lets out a soft laugh. "We don't tease you that much, do we?"

"You do." I elbow him back. "But I secretly love it."

"Good. I'm glad. That's how I talked most of them into coming."

"By giving them free rein to make fun of me? Nice."

With a hearty laugh, he gives me such a solid clap on the back he almost knocks me off balance. These mountain men don't know their own strength sometimes.

"And now that I know you secretly love it…"

I groan. "What have I done?"

Smiling, he says, "I'll catch you later," then joins his friends, embracing them one at a time, even Bronson, the most standoffish of the bunch.

Just as I'm about to scurry back to my office, having had my fill of peopling for a while, a figure by the entrance catches my eye. I walk over to Wade. "Hey."

"Hey." He tucks his hands into his pockets as he looks around, almost nervously. "Are you free for lunch? If not, it's cool. I can head back to the diner."

"No. I'm free and happy to eat now."

I lead him to the cafeteria next door, and it's only as we're waiting in line to place our orders that I put two and two together about why I'm picking up on a vibe from him. This is his first time back in a military setting since he finished his treatment. It makes sense he'd be in his feelings. But still, he showed up. That's what counts.

"Want to eat in the common room?" I suggest once we get our food.

"Sure."

We go back next door and sit down at one end of the super long dining table. He fills me in on how Hattie is going through a difficult patch—struggling with both Jax being a little shit and the diner, while worrying about Charlie, praying he returns safely—and that he feels guilty for being AWOL while she's been going through all of that.

"I should've come back and helped her." He stabs at his salad. "But what was I doing? Fucking around for the past year, feeling sorry for myself."

"You have every right to process what happened in your own way," I say gently. "And you're back now. That's what matters."

"Yeah. I guess."

When we finish eating, my gaze drifts over to Tex and his buddies kicking back on the couches, engaged in a lively card game.

"Want to meet some people?"

"Uh…"

Sensing his reluctance, I quickly add, "They love to make fun of me."

He grins. "You should have opened with that."

We walk over to the group. "Guys, this is my best friend, Wade. Wade, you know Tex, and this is Bronson, Cliff, Mitch, and Lance."

Wade gives a hesitant wave. "Hey, guys."

"What are you playing?" I ask as Tex begins scooping up the cards, a game having just finished.

"31 Scat," he replies.

"That sounds gross…which is exactly what I'd expect from you guys."

He chuckles. "Well, if there's anyone who knows a thing or two about gross."

The guys all snicker, and I grin. Wade looks like he's stepped into the twilight zone. "It's okay," I assure him quietly. "This is how we talk to each other. Except"—I raise my voice so they can all hear me—"usually I speak slower because, you know…" I tap my temple a few times and then point at each of the group. "Dumb dumbs."

Cliff tosses a cushion at me with his good arm. "Was that fast enough for ya?"

I fumble but manage to catch it. "Now, now," I scold him like I'm talking to a child, placing the cushion on the empty sofa, well out of their reach. "No throwing, please."

"Wanna play?" Tex asks Wade. "It's real easy."

Wade looks at me, seeming slightly unsure. "Go on," I say. "It'll be fun. Plus, I can't overemphasize this enough—they're really dumb." Cliff picks up the TV remote, and I level my finger at him. "Especially no throwing things with sharp corners."

He puts it back down slowly.

"Yeah. Sure," Wade says, easing himself down onto the empty couch.

"What about you, Logan?" Tex asks. "You in?"

"I might just watch. I have to get back to work soon. And, yes, I do real work around here," I say before someone can chime in with a crack about how watching porn at my desk doesn't constitute work.

Tex deals each player three cards and explains the rules to Wade as they each draw a card while discarding one from their hand when it's their turn. Wade picks it up quickly and soon they're playing and chatting away.

It's all going smoothly until Lance asks, "So, Wade, are you a veteran?"

Wade's mood shifts instantly. "Um. Well. Yeah. But not really." The game stops. All eyes are on Wade as he squirms uncomfortably. "I…I never served. I got injured in a training accident, so I'm not a real?—"

"Yes, you fucking are," Tex interjects as the others nod. "The moment you put that uniform on, you become part of something far greater than yourself."

"You are a real soldier," Mitch adds with conviction.

"That's right," Bronson says, his voice as gruff as ever. "Whether you like it or not, you're one of us."

Wade blinks fast a few times, like maybe he wasn't expecting such a strong response.

Me? I'm high-fiving myself on the inside. This is exactly what I hoped would happen when I invited him to lunch here. That he'd meet these guys and they'd take him under their wing a little. It doesn't matter how many times I tell him he is a real veteran, hearing it from these guys carries so much more weight.

Wade clears his throat. "Whose turn is it?"

I glance over at Tex, and he gives me a small, almost discernible nod, like he knows the deal and he's got this.

"I should get going," I announce. "That porn ain't gonna watch itself." A few of the guys snicker. "You okay, Wade?"

His green eyes flick to meet mine. "Yeah. I'll hang out here for a bit." He turns to the group. "If that's cool?"

My heart does a happy dance when I see them all nodding. The first step of my plan to get Wade to stay couldn't have gotten off to a better start.

"Cool. I'll catch you at home, then." I start to leave then stop. "Oh, and go easy on him, fellas. He cries like a baby when he loses."

I manage to dodge the cushion Wade tosses at me.

Just.