Finding Home at Randy’s (Diner Days)

Chapter 14

The Child

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Partner in Crime

No

Graeme

Absolutely not

The Child

But he’s so cute! Look at that face!

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Graeme

You’re not getting a cat, Cal

The Child

You’re sure mean parents

Partner in Crime

Yes. We live to make your life miserable.

The Child

SIGH. Rude

What if, and hear me out, I keep it at Granna’s?

Graeme

Still no

Partner in Crime

Nice try though.

The Child

Worst divorced parents ever. Aren’t you supposed to like, disagree on how to raise me?

Partner in Crime

If we did that, we wouldn’t have had you at all.

Graeme

What he said. Go back to your volunteering, I’ll pick you up in a few hours. Don’t give your granna a hard time.

The Child

SIGH

R olling my eyes at my teenager’s dramatics, I set my phone down and try to focus back on my computer, only to have my phone go off again.

I consider ignoring it, but curiosity gets the best of me, and distraction sounds better than whatever’s happening on my screen.

Partner in Crime

Maybe we should talk about it?

Graeme

We agreed, no pets

Partner in Crime

When he was little. He’s responsible now.

Responsible-ish. Think about it?

Graeme

I will. Gonna go dark for a few hours. Need to get some work done. I’ll pick Cal up from your mom’s when I go get dinner.

Partner in Crime

Okay. We’ll talk later though

Graeme

Yeah. See you tonight

Setting my phone back down, I scowl at my screen, the half-finished sentence taunting me. With a groan, I close out the program and shut the laptop, deciding a change of scenery is what I need. I thought working from home would give me a distraction free place to get some serious words done, but being trapped in my own head hasn’t done anything except frustrate me more.

I’m about ready to put this book in timeout and work on something else for a bit, see if that knocks anything loose. The problem with being creative is that it’s not an on/off switch. My life would be so much easier if it were that simple.

Packing up my things, I decide to head to Randy’s on the off chance that maybe a change of scenery and some people-watching will help get me into the right headspace. It’s either that or tossing this book into the proverbial fire.

As soon as I step foot into the diner, some tension eases from me. The familiar sights and sounds are comforting, moreso than my empty house ever could be. The writer’s corner is currently empty and I breathe a sigh of relief. As much as I need to be around people, I’m not sure I can actually deal with talking to them right now.

Zo drops by the table with a coffee, but I wave them off when they offer to get me food. Opening my document, I reread the current chapter, trying to see if it’s as bad as I think, or if I’m just being my usual neurotic self. Sadly, Rory has a meeting right about now, otherwise I’d make him read it over and tell me what’s wrong, or give me a good kick in the pants—whichever is needed.

I don’t have many people I can trust to read this raw of a version and be honest with me. At least, none that I can trust to actually be brutally honest. I don’t doubt that my beta readers and editors tell me the truth, but when my head gets like this, it’s hard to take their words at face value.

These are the things they don’t tell you about writing; how your overactive imagination can be your worst enemy.

Deleting the last few paragraphs, I decide to start the scene over, trying not to think too hard as I get a few words down on the page.

It’s not until I’m taking a sip of coffee that has gone cold, I realize I’ve been sitting here for far longer than I thought. But, the chapter is done, and that’s all I care about.

Catching Zo’s eye from across the room, I raise my cold coffee in the air. They give me a nod in acknowledgement, so I turn back to my computer, contemplating starting another chapter. I probably won’t be able to finish it before I have to go get Callum, but a start would be good.

“Hey.” Denver’s voice has me looking over the screen of my laptop and I smile at them.

“Hi, it’s nice to see you. Wanna sit?” I motion to the empty chair across from me.

They take a seat and I close the lid on my computer, not wanting to seem rude. Zo comes over with a fresh coffee. “You sitting here now?” they ask Denver.

“If it’s okay with Grae.”

“It’s perfectly fine.” I give them a bigger smile.

“Okay, I’ll bring your food when it’s ready.” Zo whisks off with my cold coffee and I wrap my hands around the new one.

“So, what’s up?”

Denver shrugs. “Not much. Was just going to grab some food before going home. I’ve been out running errands all day, and Luka is working, so here I am.”

The mention of Luka has butterflies erupting in my stomach, but I don’t know if it’s good or bad yet. “How’s he doing?”

Denver’s smile is soft, and there’s something in their hazel eyes that I can’t read. “Good. He’s come out of his shell a lot since we first met, but he’s still painfully awkward about some things. It’s hard at times, watching him doubt himself.”

“I know that feeling well. He has you though, so he’ll blossom soon enough.”

Denver’s cheeks pink a little, and I like that I’ve caused such a reaction in them, they normally seem so untouchable. “You give me far more credit than you should, but thanks. I just wish everyone had it as easy as I did, you know?”

I nod, because I might not know Luka’s story, but I can read between the lines. My own coming out journey wasn’t easy, especially after I got pregnant and my family found out. But I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world. I love my life now. Even if I’m willing to admit I let it get a bit…stagnant.

“I want to clear something up,” Denver says, but before they can continue, Zo comes over and drops their food off. “Thanks, doll.” Denver smiles up at the server.

“No problem. Let me know if you need anything. I’ll go grab you another drink.”

Denver chuckles. “Ah, yeah, I left mine over there.” They gesture to the other side of the diner, where they must have been sitting.

“Are you here with someone? I don’t want to take up your time.”

“Nah.” Denver shakes their head. “Just Tori and her girlfriend, but it’s fine. They both understand. I…may have told them a little about the other day, at the munch.”

I feel my face heat and clear my throat, embarrassment rushing through me. “I’m sorry about that, for making assumptions.”

“It’s fine. I…maybe wasn’t one hundred percent honest with you.”

“You don’t owe me anything, Den,” I try to protest, not wanting to hear whatever might come next.

I’ve already accepted that I can’t have Denver, for so many reasons. I don’t need to hear any more.

“No, it matters to me.” They push their food around their plate for a moment. “I like Luka. We’ve been spending a lot of time together recently, and when he forgets to be nervous, he’s good company.” Their hazel green eyes are filled with something I can’t decipher, and I’m not sure I want to. “But…he’s not the only one who has my interest. And maybe I should feel bad for that, but I don’t.” They shrug, hands splaying out to the side for a moment in a ‘what can you do’ gesture.

A lump forms in my throat and my entire body goes from hot to cold within seconds. I don’t want to believe what they’re saying. After all, they could be talking about literally anyone, but that stupid, wistful part of me hopes they’re not.

I take a long drink of coffee. The caffeine isn’t really needed, but it gives me something to do so I don’t focus on the utterly disarming person across from me.

“Why are you telling me this?” I ask when I can’t stall any longer.

Denver stares at me with hazel green eyes that shine under the fluorescent diner lighting. Their lips that are usually in some perpetual half-smirk, are turned down in a frown.

“Because Luka said some things the other night after the munch that got me thinking. And I can’t go down that path with him without being honest, with myself…or with you.”

“Me?” I can’t hide my surprise.

They smile, their eyes softening further. “Yes, you. Didn’t you know? I’ve had a crush on you forever. It’s kinda pathetic really.”

I’m pretty sure my heart stops beating, and I have to set the mug back on the table so I don’t spill it in my surprise.

“I… You just come right out and say it, huh?”

Denver looks away, their long, elegant fingers squeezing around the fork in their hand. “It’s about time. If I want to continue down the road Luka and I started the other night, I think it’s time to lay all of my cards out there. He saw through me pretty damn easily. No sense in hiding it anymore.”

I swallow, trying to regain my thoughts. “So…what? You and Luka talked about dating, or something to that effect, but you want to keep your options open, or…?”

Denver scowls. “No! It’s not like that. You know it doesn’t work that way. It’s… Maybe crush is too small of a word, but I don’t know how else to say it. I want Luka, but I want you, too. And he knows. He saw it and made me face the truth. I…I’m not good at relationships. I know it seems weird coming from me, but flirting and making friends with people is different than trying to date them.

“We’ve known each other a long time, Grae. But always on the periphery. Maybe now, with the truth out there, I can get over it and move on, but I think it needed to be said, finally.”

“Oh,” I breathe. Denver looks back at me but doesn’t say anything, their expression is guarded, and who can blame them. Taking a deep breath, I decide to be as brave as Denver. “I like you, too. I have for a while.”

They smile a little. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

Teeth bite into their bottom lip, they shift on their chair. “So uh, Luka was right about that, too.”

“Oh?”

Denver nods. “Yeah, apparently we haven't hidden how we feel very well.”

It’s my turn to squirm in my seat. “I see. So…you and Luka?”

“Maybe, it’s… We haven’t talked about it much, but I’d like to try.”

I cradle my mug, letting the lingering warmth soothe my nerves. “And you and me?”

“I… Now that the truth is out there, I’d like to see what happens—friend-wise or other. You?”

Nodding, I keep my gaze locked onto their’s, unable to look away. “I might need time to process that this isn’t a dream, but…I’d like to spend more time with you, if nothing else.”

Denver’s smile lights up my insides, and the anxiety currently twisting my stomach into knots eases a little at the sight.

I…have no clue what I’m doing. But…for Denver, and Luka, since he’s the one who got this ball rolling, and even myself, I’d like to see where it goes.