Page 70 of XOXO

Descent always freaks me out. This pilot was smooth.

“I’m eager to see Ruwon,” I said, unbuckling myself and getting up.

“I am too,” he said. “He sounded better the last time I saw him.”

“Yeah, he does,” I said, grabbing our bags. “I hope Italy was good for him.”

“You know they spoiled him the moment he got off the plane,” I said, remembering hearing our parents in the background. “He needed it.”

“He says he hates it,” Matteo grumbled. “He always thinks he has to be the one who is taking care of everyone. I don't know what the military did to him, but I think we need to tell him he needs to talk to someone.”

“Yeah, I agree,” I said, feeling like an imposter for saying Ru needed to speak to someone when I needed to do some talking of my own and I was chickenshit about it.

I just wanted things to go back to normal and each time I thought about talking to Matteo, the thought of not having my best friends by me terrified me. I was an imposter, but living without them sounded like a life I wouldn’t ever want.

“Honey, I'm home!!!” Matteo called out when we arrived at the house we were renting for two weeks.

“In the kitchen!” Ru called out.

I grinned, dropping my bags, slipping off my shoes, and looking around for the kitchen.

“Just where we like you,” Matteo chuckled as we walked into the kitchen.

“Screw you,” Ru laughed, as he hugged Matteo.

I couldn’t wait, wrapping my arms around them.

“Damn, we missed you, Ru,” I said, leaning my head against his shoulder.

“It was too long to be apart,” Matteo grumbled as we let go.

“Yeah, I've missed you guys,” Ru said, running a hand through his hair.

“Damn, dude. You're ripped.” Matteo grabbed his arm. “Your arm is as big as my thigh.”

I laughed, looking him over and he looked like he had bulked up.

“You look good though,” I said, clapping his shoulder.

Ru grew red as he chuckled. “There's not much else to do there except work out to pass the time.”

“So, that’s all you did?” I asked, hoping he would tell us the truth.

“Here are some beers and some appetizers because if we are jumping into my shit, I need a beer,” he said, passing a few things to Matteo.

“Fair enough,” I said as I followed Matteo outside to a nice patio.

Greece’s weather was perfect and I desperately needed more sun. We spread out the appetizers and put the bucket of beer in the middle of the table.

“How was your flight?” Ru asked, passing out a few beers.

“Good,” I said, taking a sip.

“Yeah, he slept most of the way,” Matteo said, rolling his eyes.

Ru chuckled, “I should have known.”

“I can’t help it,” I shrugged. “I’m exhausted from working and I didn’t even get a chance to finish.”