The Bodies One By One

Chapter 18

Another family dinner and Storm had rocked up at Baloc's a little earlier than usual, but to Baloc, it was the norm. 
Deacon had greeted him with one of her famous tight hugs, her cheeks were rosy and her eyes were bright, maybe she was acting, or maybe she was actually happy, or maybe it was just him being concerned with both of them because Storm still remembered the fight that Deacon and Baloc had earlier on. 

'Rosemary will be coming along again, but Rose won't be able to make it'.

'That's fine'.

Storm said, but he realized something, he no longer felt the flutter in his chest when he heard Rosemary's name, sure he felt a little off, bit he felt different, 'you okay?' He was brought out of his stupor from Baloc's voice, he hadn't realized that his partner in crime was standing in front of him, 'you're doing it again', Baloc pointed out, and Storm cocked an eyebrow at him, 'doing what?'

'Gazing off into the sunset, what's on your mind?... Drink?'

He held up some beer and Storm thanked him, 'nothing...Nothing's on my mind', but Storm could tell that nothing was going to get past the older man, 'Storm?' The tone of his voice was enough for Storm to know that he had to talk, that it was important and also... It seemed like Baloc knew what he was thinking about.

'Come on'.

Baloc motioned for him to the television where the football was on, 'where's Stacey?'

'Grandparents, they wanted to look after her for the night, and how could we say no?'

They sat down on the sofa, and Storm took a sip of the beer, enjoying the cool liquid running down his throat, 'you don't have any feelings for her anymore do you?' Baloc's voice rang through Storm's ear and he almost choked.

'I- Uh, well you see-'.

'Storm, buddy, it's okay, I'm not mad or anything'.

Storm was shocked to see Baloc chuckle, 'but... She's your-'.

'What? Daughter? I know she's my daughter, but you haven't done anything to hurt her'. 

Storm shook his head, 'I'm... Sorry Baloc, I thought I could but -'. Baloc nudged his arm with his own, 'it happens Storm, it looks like a high school crush to me, you like someone for a bit and then it fades away', he took a swig of his beer, 'plus, there's someone else who has an eye on you at the moment', Storm's eyes seemed to flash at the sudden and unexpected news, 'what? Who?' But Storm realized that Baloc wasn't going to tell him, 'you kidding me? You're going to tell me that but not say anything else, that's so cruel of you!' 
Baloc laughed, 'hey, you know I like messing around with you, but it's really up to them whether they decide to face their feelings and talk to you', Storm took a big swig of beer, 'now my mind if reeling'.

'With excitement sounds like it'.

'Lockie, shut the hell up'.

This time, Baloc didn't tell him off.