Two Can Keep a Secret

3.

Buck

"OH MY GOD."

Eddie and I spring apart, and there standing in front of us is, of all people, Chimney. He's holding a bottle of water in one hand, his keys in the other, duffel bag draped over his shoulder, mouth agape as he stares at us, shock, confusion, and another emotion I don't quite recognize—humor maybe? None of us say anything for a long while. I just stare at Chim with bated breath, waiting. Eddie looks at the ground and Chim keeps glancing between the two of us. The minutes feel like hours until finally, Chimney speaks. "Soooo...that just happened." He continues to look between the two of us before speaking again. "How long has..." he pauses gesturing between the two of us with his hands. "...this been happening?"

I look over at Eddie who already looks hurt, as if he's anticipating me making up an excuse. But I'm not going to. This is my chance to prove to Eddie that, despite my history as a womanizing dick, I'm in this for the long haul. "Since last night," is all I say. I grab Eddie's hand and squeeze it. He gives me a small smile in return, squeezing my hand back.

Chim purses his lips, nodding his head. "I'm gonna be honest with you. I did not see this coming."

"Listen Chim, do you mind keeping this to yourself for a little while?"

He furrows his eyebrows at us. "Why?"

"You know how it is when you start a new relationship. Everyone wants to add in their two cents. We just want a minute to just...be us for a while."

"So to keep your new relationship a secret, you decided to have a steamy make out session...at our job...out in the open...where literally anyone could have seen you? And now you want the one person who can barely even hold water to keep this big juicy secret?!"

"Pretty much," I shrug.

Chimney looks between the two of us again. "Alright."

Eddie and I both look at him in confusion and disbelief. "Just like that?"

"Yup." He turns on his heel and heads back the way he came. When he's around the corner again, he reaches a hand out and gives us a thumbs up. "Carry on!"

We both shake our heads, laughing at him. The moment is gone now, so we get dressed and head to our respective vehicles, me following closely behind Eddie, back to his place.

**********

Eddie

When we get back to my place, we decide to just watch a movie. We sit closely together, our feet stretched across the coffee table. The movie has only been on for half an hour, but honestly? I wouldn't be able to tell you what it's about. I can't focus. Not after what Buck said back at the firehouse. I get not wanting everyone to know about us until we're ready to have everyone in our business, but I can't shake the feeling that there's another reason.

"Hey," Buck interrupts my thoughts. I look over at him. A serious expression spreads across his face. "You okay?" I nod my head, forcing a small smile. The look he gives shows me that he doesn't believe me. "Come here," he lays back behind me on the couch, trying to pull me down with him. I oblige and turn to face him instead of the tv. "Talk to me." He pulls me closer so I won't hang off the couch.

I don't want to tell him what I'm thinking. I don't want to ruin things when we've barely even started. But it's obvious that he isn't going to let this go. "Did you mean what you said earlier? To Chimney I mean?"

"You're gonna have to be a little more specific," he chuckles, bringing two fingers closer together.

"I'm serious, Evan."