Milkshake Hearts

Chapter 86: Welcome Home

Shayne could easily call Roger a friend. They talked, even before he and Courtney started dating, but they'd been closer since. They talked football every time, of course, but their conversations didn't end at the superficial. It was common at low-key Miller gatherings at Roger's house to find him and Shayne deep in discussion about all manner of things. Courtney was a regular topic, of course, although their conversations ranged across all genres, from politics to music and everything in between.

That being said, they were usually talking at an event where Courtney was also present, whether a family gathering or just when the two of them went to visit him. They had never caught up just the two of them in her absence.

Still, when Roger had texted him a few days before Thanksgiving asking if he wanted company in the form of getting lunch the Sunday after, Shayne didn't hesitate before agreeing. He gives a casual wave when he steps into the diner – halfway between their apartment and Thousand Oaks – and spots Roger already at a booth over one side.

"Hey, Roger! How was Thanksgiving?" Shayne asks, sliding into the seat opposite.

"Hey, really good actually, had a Friendsgiving kind of thing as all you young folk call it with a lot of firefighting guys from the station – thought I'd go that way since the kids are doing their own things this year and over in Utah. How's yours been?" he returns the question. Shayne pauses for a moment, tilting his head to the side slightly.

"It's like... not bad, I guess, made myself a pretty decent meal and got in some decent gaming time I haven't for a while between work and life and whatever..." he trails off, hesitating on whether to settle with light or go for full honesty.

"But?" Roger prompts.

"Kinda sucks to miss all the family times in Seattle and Utah at once. And there's been some things happening with my oldest brother, Brian, that I would've liked to be there for, and... Don't exactly like being away from Courtney for so long," Shayne admits, although he shrugs it off a little when he finishes.

"It would be a shame to miss all the family gatherings, yeah. Work messed with your plans, right, I'm guessing Goldbergs or it would've been her too?" Roger confirms.

"Yeah, Goldbergs shoot didn't finish until Wednesday night and she flew out to Utah on Tuesday, Smosh is pretty flexible around holidays. I was going to try and get a flight Thanksgiving morning or something but there just wasn't anything available," he grumbles.

"Flying on holidays is a mess. I used to have to do it a bunch around weird shifts at the station and I'm glad I don't anymore, that's for sure," he agrees, their conversation pausing as a server arrives to take their orders. Roger continues after the server departs, picking up on the other part of Shayne's concerns, "not enjoying time away from her, huh? How you feeling about marrying her?"

"Yeah, not a fan of the time apart. And I'm so excited- we're getting very into the whole wedding planning thing, it's very much real and happening and it's great. She means so much to me and I can't wait to love and support her through life," he replies, letting his voice become a little heavier with emotion.

"It's always been such a good sign to me that you aren't afraid to be honest and vulnerable about her to me," Roger comments. Shayne senses he wants to let him talk on this particular subject, so he nods.

"I don't see why I wouldn't be honest. Like... I guess it's only because of her that I'm comfortable being open about stuff in general anyway, but I'm certainly not ashamed or embarrassed about how much I love her, and I know you and her are close and I'd prefer you know I've got her best interests at heart."

"True, yeah, true. And you don't need to convince me you're perfect for her, I know. She still gets embarrassed if I push her about it too much but she certainly doesn't hide how she feels about you either," he jokes, and Shayne laughs lightly.