Wednesday, January 31, 2024

54 – This Gift, This Curse

 

 

The exam came and went, much to the relief of all concerned.

 

When Kevin dropped into the chair at their usual table in the coffee house, he said, "That wasn't quite as bad as I expected."

 

"Or quite as easy as I'd hoped," Charlie countered.

 

"Geesh, you babies." Sue shook her head. "It was a piece of cake."

 

"Uh-huh…not," Charlie muttered. Then turning to Kevin he asked, "Where's Mick?"

 

"No clue." Kevin glanced around, hoping to see Mick coming through the door just because he wanted him to.

 

"Will's probably got him running errands or something," Sue said, patting Kevin's arm. She smiled at him. "So, are you two…?" She let the question dangle.

 

Kevin shrugged shyly. "We're…testing the waters maybe?"

 

"That's a start. First you dip a toe in, then you jump in, and then…"

 

"You drown," Charlie broke in, chuckling.

 

"Charlie. Honestly you have no romance in your soul, I swear," Sue muttered. "Don't listen to him, Kev. He's a philistine." She squeezed Kevin's hand. "You'll swim together into the future."

 

* * * *

 

Mick came into the coffee house at that moment. Looking around, he spotted the twins and Kevin at their table and wondered why Sue was holding hands with Kevin. Probably commiserating with him about the exam. He headed to the counter to get coffee before joining them. As he did, his gaze landed on a man hurriedly leaving. A tall, blond man who didn't look at all happy.

 

Shit!

 

Mick spun around, going after him. He got to the sidewalk just in time to see the man climb into a Mustang and peel out of his parking spot, barely avoiding an oncoming car.

 

Going back inside, Mick decided to forego his coffee for now so he could tell Kevin and the others what he'd seen. Coming to the table, he took the last chair.

 

"I was wondering if you were going to show up," Kevin said.

 

"Yeah, late, but here, and a good thing I was late. I think…in fact, I'm real sure I saw Archer."

 

Sue sucked in a breath of dismay. "Here?"

 

"Yeah, and he left real fast. If I had to guess, he saw you and Kev holding hands." Mick cocked an eyebrow as he said that.

 

"Oh hell," Kevin said. "We weren't holding hands. Well, not really. She was just telling me that…"

 

"That he probably passed the exam with flying colors." She looked across at Mick. "Why do you think it was him?"

 

"Tall, blond, muscular, and not a happy camper. He got into his car and tore off without caring if anyone was in his way." Taking out his phone, he relayed the same information to Will when he answered.

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