First We Were Friends - A Bucky Barnes Novel

Chapter 4. Wingman

They didn't get back from the bar until well after midnight. Other than dancing a couple of times with her brothers and a couple of friends Julia danced mostly with Bucky. As the evening went on he thought more of what Janey said about him liking Julia as more than a friend. He still wasn't convinced that he felt more for her but he had to admit she was growing on him. He did dance several times with Janey and tried to continue their conversation about Mason but she said it was better spoken away from prying ears. On the way back he told Julia he had to go to the airport to pick up Sam in the morning.

"Captain America Sam?" she asked, her interest piqued.

"The one and only," said Bucky. "I told him about the lake and he decided he would rather work on Bob's house than listen to his sister order him around. You'll like him. He knows how to talk to people."

"I'd love to come but I think I should stay here with my family," she said. "They're only here for the weekend."

"That's alright," replied Bucky, somewhat relieved. "Gives me a chance to catch up with him on the way back."

When he pulled up in their driveway to drop them off Julia leaned over and gave him a hug. Janey gave him a knowing look but said nothing. Back in Bob's driveway Bucky sat for a moment wondering again if he and Julia were developing feelings for each other. It had only been a few days but he knew of long marriages that evolved from a few days of acquaintance. He hadn't been looking for anything more than friendship but he did enjoy her company. No matter what if there was something there it was Julia who would guide the relationship. There would be no pressure from him.

He woke up early the next morning and saw the two brothers out on their dock fishing. Noticing they already had some fish on the dock he came out onto his dock with fishing gear, waved at them both, and cast out a line. Within a couple of minutes he hooked a fish and pulled it in. He asked them if it was worth eating, receiving a thumbs up as an answer. He caught several more but released them. After more catch and releases he stopped then gutted and scaled the fish on the dock. Picking it and the gear up he went into the house and heated up a pan to sear it. While it cooked he made coffee and checked his messages. There was a text confirmation from Sam that he was on the flight. After eating and cleaning up he locked up the house and drove to the Reno airport arriving ten minutes before Sam's flight arrived. As he waited in the arrivals area he noticed a boy watching him. Smiling briefly he turned back to his phone using the airport wifi to download some of the music from the night before.

"Are you Bucky Barnes?"

He looked up to see the boy who had been watching him. "I am," he replied.

"Why are you here?" asked the boy.

"I'm on holiday and waiting to pick up a friend," he said. "Why are you here?"

"Picking up my grandpa," he replied. "Is it a girlfriend?"

Bucky smiled. "No," then he lowered his voice. "Can you keep a secret?" The boy nodded. "It's Captain America. He needs a holiday as well."

"For real?" he exclaimed as his eyes lit up. "He really is your best friend?"

Bucky nodded then looked up to see the boy's parents watching. "I'll tell you what," he said in a low voice. "You keep it quiet and I'll make sure you get a picture with him."

"And you," reminded the boy.

Bucky fist bumped the boy and he ran back excitedly to tell his parents. They both smiled kindly at Bucky and he smiled back. The announcement for Sam's flight was made and Bucky stood up. A few minutes later Sam strode out of the arrivals door and saw his friend. They shook hands and Bucky mentioned that a fan wanted a picture. They walked over to the boy and his parents, took a picture then went to the luggage carousel to wait for Sam's suitcase and travelling case for the flying suit, as he never went anywhere without it. Once they got everything in the truck and began the drive Sam looked at him.