“I’m fine. Thanks though,” she mutters quickly, recovering from her momentary reaction. We all say goodbyes, and Colin invites me to go fishing with all the guys on Sunday after I thank them for the invite tonight.
Brynleigh walks Holly to her car with Trystan and me following not too far behind. I watch as Brynleigh mutters something quietly and hugs Holly real quick.
“Goodnight, Holly.” I make the effort to leave on a good note. She gives a slight tilt of her lips as she lifts a hand in acknowledgement and goodbye.
I follow Trystan to his little one bedroom starter house. It’s only a few minutes from Phil’s. The minute I see it, I just know it’s going to be the winner of all the properties I’ve seen today. It’s even got an actual garage to store my bike, which I hate leaving outside in the elements. It’s also a lot closer to the hospital than the majority of the other places.
“Dude, this already checks off more boxes than ninety-five percent of the other properties I’ve looked at today or seen listings for,” I say as we walk up to the side door.
“Good. I’d like to see someone enjoy it. I was fixing it up while living in my old, little apartment before Brynleigh and I took off, so I didn’t get to enjoy it a whole lot.”
The inside is nice. You can tell a contractor lived here. One who appreciates his wood finishes and plays into showcasing masculine features. It’s not throwing bachelor pad vibes, but it’s definitely man cave worthy.
“Nice. I want it.”
“You haven’t even seen it all yet.”
“Fair, but if it all pretty much looks like this, I’m in.”
Trystan and Brynleigh sit on the couch and let me look around. Five minutes later, I’m convinced more than ever that this is my new home.
“I still want it,” I announce as I walk back into the living room.
“Sweet, beats having to sort through multiple tenant possibilities. I know you’d pass background checks and are a decent person. The house is paid off, so I won’t charge you out the butt. I know you have loans to pay. So, what do you say, five hundred plus your utilities a month, and we’re good?” My eyes bug out of my head. Did I hear him right?
“Guy, I was paying twelve hundred plus utilities at the other place. You’ve got a deal.”
“I can’t believe how much people charge to rent a tiny ass apartment at some of these other places. That’s insane. I’ll have Trish at work draft up a quick document this week. She’s good at that stuff. It’ll be basic. When you want to move in?”
“Two weeks good? I have to have everything out of my place within the month. I’ll give them my notice tomorrow instead of renewing my lease.”
“Sounds good.”
“Does the garage have room for my bike and a surf board?”
“It’s all cleaned out already. Plenty of room. Your truck should even fit. You surf and bike?”
“When I actually have time. It’s been a minute. I haven’t driven down to Long Sands or Ogunquit for quite a while. I don’t know if I’ll catch many good swells this far into Spring, but, hey, I might get lucky.”
“Mind if I join one day? I haven’t been on a board in years. Before MARSOC, I surfed quite a bit.”
“Hell yeah! And thank you for your service, man. I’ll definitely holler. MARSOC?”
“Raider.”
“Damn.”
“This I’ll have to see,” Brynleigh mutters curiously as if a piece of her husband’s prior life just unlocked. “You’ve never talked about your surfing adventures.”
Trystan waves it off.
“It wasn’t really a priority anymore. For a while, I was nervous with my arm that I wouldn’t be able to handle the paddling, but I think I’m good now. It just wasn’t something I wanted to go test on my own. But if he’s there, I know I’ll be fine.”
“So, what happened to the arm?”
“Almost got blown off. It’s the reason I’m out.”
“Ah, I see. Any lasting damage?”