Dan
The late after-lunchstart was a godsend. I wasn’t sure I would have been able to get up at the same time Ross had. The past few weeks, days, and especially the past thirty-six hours had all but brought me to my knees.
But things had finally calmed. Fires had eased. Every one of us who donned our firefighting kit on top of our day jobs remained vigilant, and while another call could come through, the anticipation had dwindled just slightly.
I looked at the time. It was almost five thirty, meaning I could head home.
I’d been in the workshop today working on some cabinets. Usually, I was out and about fitting kitchens, but my late start had thankfully held me back, so I’d had a fairly easy day.
After packing up my equipment, I swept the floor before heading to grab my things.
With only Jacko around, I was able to say a quick goodbye and leave.
Craig was already waiting to take me out to his parents’ place to collect my truck.
It was still plenty early enough that I’d see if they needed any help before I hightailed it out of there. The pull to spend some time with Ross made me pick up my pace. Unfamiliar nerves settled in my gut as I opened Craig’s car door and sat in. While everyone yesterday had seemed okay about Ross and me, after a night to sleep on it, there was always the possibility that now the adrenalin from the fire had passed, so had their acceptance.
I had no plan to raise the subject, though.
Before long, it would be the norm for our friends and family to think of Ross and me together, but I also craved normality too. The last thing I wanted was things between Craig and me to change.
“Hey,” I greeted, throwing my bag in the back seat and then tugging on my seat belt. “All good?”
Craig nodded, a yawn following. He shook his head as he pulled out of the car park and laughed. “Yeah. Still knackered. Feel like I could sleep for a week. You?”
“Same, pretty much. I managed to get some sleep till eleven this morning. Another early night though, tonight. My body’s shagged.”
“I hear you.” He indicated to turn right, eyes remaining on the road.
“You spoke to your parents today? Everything okay?”
“All good, thank Christ. A couple of hours after we left, the few smoulders still around were put out. And there’s no damage to the buildings. The land’s going to need some work. A few fence posts replacing, but in the grand scheme of things, they’re helluva lucky.”
“Agreed,” I said. “Just let me know when you need a lift with the fencing.”
“Thanks, mate. A few weeks should do it, I think. Give the old man time to source the posts. Not sure any of us have the energy to be cutting down the stringy oaks and making our own.”
I huffed out a relieved breath hearing that. If needed, I’d help out and spend time felling and stripping trees and then assist cutting them up into posts, but it was back-breaking work that I’d happily avoid if possible.
“You spoke to Ross today?”
Not willing to be anything but honest with the guy, I answered, “Not since he left my place for work this morning.” I side-eyed him, looking for a reaction. Relieved that just a small head bob followed, I relaxed a little.
Craig was my best mate; as such, I should have known he wouldn’t be a prick. I chastised myself for remaining wary earlier. He’d said what he’d needed to say last night and even a couple of months back. Gave me his thoughts, his warning, and that was that. It was one of the many qualities I liked about the man.
“He may be at Mum and Dad’s,” Craig said, his words causing my stomach to flip over in expectation.
We’d said we’d contact each other after work, and that had been my plan once I’d picked up my truck. Getting to see Ross earlier than expected sounded like a win to me.
“Great. Save me a call,” I said. “The less time I have to talk on the damn phone, the better.”
Craig laughed, hating making phone calls as much as I did.
We spent the rest of the journey shooting the shit, making the kilometres speed on by. Before long, we were bouncing down the pot-holed driveway. Compared to when I’d made this journey yesterday, I was a whole lot calmer. The only similarity being my heart still threatened to pound out of my chest at seeing Ross.
When I saw his Hilux parked out front, I didn’t even try to hold back my smile.
I was the overeager fool who all but dove out of the Toyota as Craig hit the brakes, my feet taking me to the front porch where Ross had appeared and was currently heading down the wooden steps towards me.
