Found by the Rivers by Liberty Freer

Author:Liberty Freer [Freer, Liberty]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-09-09T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

After a quick shower, I slip on denim shorts with a tight-fitting black top. Everyone’s gathered outside by the grill that’s big enough to fit a person, and they all turn to me as I step out the front door. It’s a little intimidating, but I force myself to keep moving. Drew meets me halfway and wraps an arm around my shoulders. He hands me an open beer, and I stiffen.

“It’s okay, Lenny. You can trust everyone here.”

I nod and take a swig. The cool liquid helps to ease my anxiety caused by the large group in front of me. Bob holds up his beer in a silent greeting. I do the same and then take a small sip. Ramsey tends to the grill while the rest of us take seats around it. Kelsoe’s chair sits next to mine. I like the change in him. Just a few days ago, he couldn’t stand to be around me.

“Heard about your talent with bikes,” Bob says from the chair across from mine.

Chris snorts. “Shit, that girl, she crammed three days’ worth of work into one. Her first time too. I’d say it’s her superpower.”

Drew laughs. “You should have seen her. She was covered from head to toe with grease and dirt. Told you she’d fit right in, Bob.”

Bob chuckles as he leans back in his chair. “She fits a little better than some did at first. I’ll give you that.”

Drew narrows his eyes playfully. “We all get there in our own time.”

I sense a story and a way to divert the attention away from me. “Drew didn’t fit in right away?” I ask Bob.

He laughs. “Nope. Kelsoe practically lived outside, playing at the river, digging in the dirt, and taking apart and putting back together anything and everything. Drew was the total opposite. I think Kelsoe gave him an anxiety attack.”

Kelsoe snorts. “Fucker wouldn’t play in the dirt with me.”

Drew crosses his arms. “Couldn't blame me. You looked fucking homeless.” He grins. “Smelled like it too.”

Bob takes a sip from his beer. “Took him a good while to finally play like a kid.”

“Old habits die hard,” Drew says.

Bob frowns. “That they do, son.”

“What does that mean?” I ask.

“My mom was an out-of-control meth addict, and she didn’t keep the best company. I developed a little OCD. The counselor said it was my way of reacting against the chaos.” He shrugs. “I’ve gotten better at letting a lot go.” He rolls his head to the side to look at Ramsey. “This fucker is the total opposite.”

“It’s proven that messy environments are good for creative thinking,” Ramsey says with a grin.

“Is that the excuse you’re using now?” Drew laughs, and I’m surprised. Talking about my mom usually makes me angry.

Ramsey points his bottle at Drew. “You still iron your pants?”

“Shut the fuck up. Nothing wrong with looking good.” Drew winks at me. “The ladies like it.”

“I don’t know, I think the good ones like to get a little dirty,” Kelsoe says with a grin.

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