I watch Caspian walk from the room, my inhale shaky.
I don’t think anything is going to be the same after this.
The drive to the diner is quiet but short. Caspian watches out the passenger window the entire time, the hum of the engine barely there amidst the roll of tires on pavement. The parking lot is decently full, considering it’s the weekend. I find a spot, and Caspian hops out, looking around curiously.
“Preferences on seating?” I ask as we walk toward the door.
“I’m guessing your lap is out?”
I stutter a step at the barely there words, and Caspian laughs lightly.
Jesus.
As if he hadn’t offered that suggestion, he says, “Booth would be fine.”
We’re seated at a booth minutes later, a waitress taking our drink orders before we’re left with menus to peruse. Caspian seems intrigued by the people in the restaurant. I suppose, ifhe considers this his new home, getting to know the locals might be a priority of his.
His focus shifts to me before long. “You said you co-coach the high school football team?”
“I do,” I answer, setting my menu down. “It’s good fun. Barely any injuries anymore with all the new rules and regulations in place, which is great for the kids.”
“Not like the good ol’ days, huh?”
I huff. “You say that like you lived it.”
Caspian simply hums, looking away, missing my narrowed gaze. “What’s your mascot or…team name or whatever?”
“We’re the Warriors.”
His head whips back my way so fast, he nearly knocks his drink over with his elbow. He steadies the glass, eyes wide.
“What?” I ask, alarmed.
“You’re… You…” Caspian starts to laugh, and I’m officially at a loss. He wipes a tear from below his eye, voice choked. “It’s nothing. Nothing at all.”
“Right… Does this maybe have to do with the stuff you shouldn’t know but do?”
He seems amused by the vague wording of my question. “Something like that.”
“Mhm.” I set my arms on the table, putting us closer as Caspian works to compose himself. “And are you ever going to tell me all these…somethings?”
He lets out a quiet breath, his elbows on the table mirroring mine. “In time.”
“Because you’re trying to ease me into…all this?”
“Yes.”
“You know, I’ve never really been the type of person to rely on faith,” I tell him.
“No, that’s certainly not you.”
My head rocks back at the casually confident statement, and Caspian gives me an almost apologetic smile. I don’t bother asking how he seems so sure of it. So sure ofme.
He goes on in a softer tone. “I’m not asking you to blindly trust me, Lee. I’m asking you to get to know me. To form your own conclusions.”
“Conclusions about…”
He shrugs a little, his hands folded on the table, so near to mine. “Me.”
