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We chat about the Redwins and their antics, including a discussion of the time they got into a shouting match on Main Street during the summer and scared half the tourists out of town, until Jamie stops us and interjects.
“Enough about the Redwins. I want to get to the juicy stuff.” And then he turns his gaze on me, and I swear his baby blues turn into laser beams.
“What juicy stuff?” I ask innocently. “Nothing to talk about on my end.” I give them a smile to let them know I’m kidding—I wouldn’t be me if I shared easily.
Jamie just continues to look at me, his laser beams burrowing into my soul.
“Fine, fine,” I say. “I’ll tell you all about Angela.”
Hunter lets out a whoop and Jamie just smirks. I take a long drink from my beer, and think for a moment about what to say, mostly because I’m not entirely sure where Angela and I stand, but I do know that it’s going well.
“Angela and I,” I start, “are dating. I think.”
“How come you’re not sure?” Jamie asks.
“Because it’s been a fucking minute since I dated anyone,” I admit.
“You’ve basically been celibate these last two years,” Hunter says, in a joking tone.
“Something like that,” I say. “I surprised her with take out and pie the other night. And we text every day. And she told me that she’s trying to trust me.” I try to keep the hopeful note out of my voice, but I know I fail at it.
“Why doesn’t she trust you yet?” Jamie asks. “You’ve done a hell of a lot for her recently.”
“I’ve got a lot to make up for.”
“You kept her alive on that island,” Jamie points out. “She could at least take that as assurance that you care.”
“It’s not like that,” I say, feeling myself get defensive about Angela. “She has a lot of trust issues. She knows I helped her on the island and she knows I care. But she doesn’t have assurance that I’m staying.”
“I just think?—
Hunter interrupts Jamie. “Lay off her, man. Carter hurt her before and he’s trying to make up for that. It takes some people a while to trust.”
“Fine. But I just want you two to be happy,” Jamie grumbles.
“It’s getting there,” I admit.
We head to the bar and get a second round, and then decide to move outside with our beers. Inside O’Malley’s is now crammed with tourists and locals alike, and the patio out back is much quieter. It’s still a bit chilly out, but we see a few groups of people we know and stop to chat with them. We sit at a wooden picnic table that is next to the corn hole boards. A few guys we went to high school with are playing, and we exchange nods.
Even if Angela wasn’t on the table, would I want to give this up for the job in Iceland? I like knowing most people in Harborview. I like walking into O’Malley’s and knowing who’s a local and who’s a tourist. And I like being a local. I’ve always enjoyed traveling because it’s an adventure with an expiration date. After the trip ends, I get to come back here, to Harborview.
This job in Iceland would mean I was away from home for months at a time, and I don’t even know if they’d want me to be based permanently out there with the rest of the team. Field work in Iceland is one thing, but moving there for three years is another.
“What’s up, man?” Hunter asks, clearly noticing that something is off with me.
“I’ve used enough of your free therapy tonight, I think.”
“Nah,” Hunter says. “That’s not how it works.”
“Is it the PhD?” Jamie asks. They both know how stressful it’s been lately, and how badly I just want to finish.
“Honestly, that’s finally going well. I’ll be submitting it soon. Should be done by the end of the month.”
“That’s sick man!” Hunter exclaims. “We’ve gotta have a party once you’re officially Dr. Steel.”
“Sure,” I say, my stomach twisting at the idea. Mostly because I’d have to invite my parents, out of obligation, and I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t come. They haven’t been up to Harborview in months, preferring to spend all of their time in Florida.
“I’ll be happy just to go out for dinner with you guys and Cat and Angela,” I tell them.
