11 Ch 11 Long Legs (1/2)

We took Derrick's car into town the following night after work; a mower and a microwave weren't going to fit on my bike. The two of us seemed to be working out well. It didn't take long before the new microwave was in the back seat and the mower was in the trunk.

Derrick pulled in at a coffee shop that had some tables outside. ”One of my favorite haunts,” he grinned. When I ordered a cup of tea, Derrick shook his head. ”Real men drink coffee,” he teased. The way he ogled the barista gave me an idea of why he liked the place. We sat down and got a bit of background on each other.

”The one thing I can't find around here is stuffed flounder,” Derrick complained. ”I could always find decent seafood in Maryland.”

”I'll have to catch you some mountain trout. Otherwise, it's elk for me,” I told him.

”Elk? Don't tell me- mighty hunters, right?”

We both laughed as I nodded.

”You got siblings?” Derrick asked. ”I have two younger brothers and a sister. My brothers were happy when I moved out, it meant they each got their own room.”

”Nope, I'm an only child. It's just me and my dad now though. My mom passed away about a year ago. Big extended family though, lots of cousins. My one aunt goes through husbands faster than some people go through cars. What made you come two-thirds across the country to end up out here?”

”I did a quick tour with the army right out of high school, working tech. I wasn't sure what to do when I got out, besides not run home. One of the sergeants said he knew someone who had an opening in his company, so here I am. I'm usually up early to run a few miles. I like to keep myself in shape now that I'm in it. There's a group I work out with at night.”

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”I run too. Never bothered counting miles.” I didn't tell him I usually ran on four legs, but I couldn't help thinking it. It was hard not to laugh out loud. ”I wrestled in high school and got a partial scholarship for it at the local college. I've only seriously worked out with my dad. My dad's a high school language teacher.”

”Can't be much of a workout with your dad.”

I almost choked on my tea. If he only knew how Dad and I fought, both on two legs and four.

He saw my derision at his assumption and took it as a challenge.

”Why don't we swing by the gym, see what you have?”

Derrick's body language became intense, as he leaned forward and stretching his arms across the table.

”As long as our friendship doesn't suffer if I beat you,” I said, laughing. ”You're so serious-looking right now.”

I guessed he had an inferiority complex that was only held at bay by proving what a tough guy he could be. His body language and scent were easy to read. I found it easy to counter his attitude by lounging back and staying totally relaxed. It was something I'd always been able to do and one of the things that made me everyone's friend.

I broke off from his intense stare to check out a pair of long legs walking behind him. Her perfume was enticing. My eyes followed her as she went into the coffee shop.