Dead Straight (Lee Christmas Romance)

Part 5

About 30 minutes later after I listened to Toll and Hail go back and forth over what guns were better people started leaving. I talked a little bit and I had to admit it was nice to get to be with a team again. Even if it wasn't for long it almost reminded me of home in a strange sense. I hadn't really hung with other mercenaries in a long time. I don't even think I talked to anyone for like a few months after the incident. It felt good to be back though.

I mostly flaked with Tool a lot as we caught up on his old girlfriends. Tool wasn't a bad guy to be honest. He just looked for happiness in the wrong places. I mean he didn't treat the girls badly. He also reminisced on some of his past jobs when he was a Mercenary but only very briefly. I only drank one beer seeing as I had to work tomorrow. I had a decent tolerance for a woman but if I had more than 5 beers I would be drunk.

I was getting ready to leave from the small get together and knew I would have to walk to my temporary apartment. It was kind of cold so I put my jacket on. Thankfully this place was only maybe half or three quarters of a mile away from my small apartment. I had left my car there since it was easier to simply walk to the church since it had only been two blocks away. What can I say? I like getting my exercise.

I was just walking out when I was stopped by a rustic English voice. " Aye Ferris, do you need a ride?" Lee asked as he stood beside a Moto GP motercycle. I shook my head " I don't live to far, I'm just on Corpus Drive" I replied standing perhaps ten feet from him. He rose a brow " Corpus Drive is nearly a mile from here and it's 9:35 at night" Lee retorted glancing down at his watch.

" Don't worry Lee I'll be fine. I can take care of myself" I responded confidently but knew he was just trying to be nice.

" Come on Ferris, I live only four blocks from Corpus Drive" Lee pressed on further holding a second bike helmet in his hand. I sighed running a hand through my hair " I'm not going to get out of this one am I?" I asked with a half grin.

" Nope" Lee said back stubbornly and held out one of the helmets which I took and placed over my head. He sat down on the bike first and I awkwardly sat down behind him. There was no physical way for our two bodies to not touch. " Aww Lee always goes for the girls out of his league doesn't he?" Hail teased as he came out, walking towards a red truck.

" Whatever Caesar" Lee replied sarcastically with an obvious role of his eyes. A faint pink blush appeared on my cheeks but thankfully it went unseen due to the black helmet. " Hold on" Lee announced, revving the small engine of the bike and the took off. I tried to stay upright but resorted to wrapping my arms around Lee's torso that was hard but sturdy. A strange feeling pooled in my chest. I feeling I wasn't used to and I wasn't sure if it was good or bad. My hair whipped behind my wildly as we continued down the road the gradually became smoother.

A few moments later we appeared right in front of my grey apartment complex. It was basic and a little boring but was where I would be living for now. I got off the bike and took off the Helmet. " Thanks Lee" I said with a small half grin. Lee nodded " Any time, see ya tomorrow" Lee said before leaving. I almost didn't want him to leave but pushed the silly thought from my mind.

When I entered my apartment I flopped down on my favorite maroon couch that felt like landing in a pile of feathers. I sat there enjoying the ensuing silence of my apartment only for the occasional yell or noise from the neighbors who I suspect were watching a soccer game due to the faint incessant Spanish commentating that could be heard. Several many thoughts ran through my mind.

A part of me told me to not get attached to any of these men. To not befriend them. I mean I was planning on leaving this whole business anyway or at least would try. Hanging with those men just brought up so many memories of my former team. How Toal reminded me so much of Melbourne, they were quite equal when it came to strangeness. How Barney was addicted to cigars as Hudson had been.

And Lee reminded me of my former leader. How they were both English and did their best to be nice guys.

It was unsettling.

But it wasn't unwelcoming.