Chapter 30
Chapter thirty
Maverick
It's our last day before the end of our rotation. Work has been a killer this hitch. If anything could go wrong, it has. We are all at the ends of our ropes. Usually, I keep the vibes and energy positive out here on the rig, but I do not even have it in me today.
One more day until I get to see her.
Izzy and I have evolved. She still refuses to say she has genuine feelings for me, even though her actions show it, but she's finally admitted we're dating. Most days, I take that as a win. However, today, my brain is beating me down about it.
That's the thing about our line of work—the mental toll.
You’re locked away on an oil rig for weeks at a time with nothing but water surrounding you, leaving a lot of time for your thoughts to wander and take you down sketchy paths of your mind. The ones you normally try to avoid.
It's been over a year of being active in each other's lives, seven months since I proclaimed my feelings for her, and five months since she finally admitted her stance in my life as my girlfriend.
I knew life with her wouldn't be simple. I don't want simple. Although sometimes, I wish she wouldn't make it so hard.
We're at a point where I'd love to take the next steps in our relationship, but I feel like she's fine with where we are.
It gets frustrating to think about. That's why I try like hell not to.
I don't always succeed, obviously.
Hence, the damn funk I can't get myself out of.
"Mav," my roommate Collin calls out, pulling me from my wandering thoughts.
"Yep?" I reply quickly, my tone dry.
"It's time to get out there. You ready?"
"Yeah, man."
"Okay, Bear is already on the drilling deck waiting for you."
I make my way through the cabin quarters until I reach the deck. Bear, in all his grumpy glory, is impatiently waiting and throws me a scowl when he sees me approach.
"Late again," he growls.
"Joyful like always," I snap back, irritated.
Bear's features shift in surprise. Typically, when he gives me shit for being late, like I always am, I joke with him and make light of it. Not today. Fuck this day, and fuck my brain. I feel just as grumpy as Bear looks, and I'm ready to get home.
Instead of getting offended or annoyed, Bear seems concerned about my response. "You good man?" he asks.
"Honestly?"
"Of course, you can be honest. Aren't you always?"
I chuckle softly. "Yeah, dude. No, I'm not good. I need to get off this fucking rig."
"It's almost time." His words are kind and hold no judgment. If anyone were to understand, I know he would.
"Yeah, I know," I say with a sigh.
"Things aren't going well with the lady?"
"The opposite, actually. They're going great. I'm just stuck in my head. I'll be okay."
Bear nods in response. He's a man of few words, unlike me.
We get to work, and a few hours pass before we get a chance to speak again. Our shift is finally coming to an end, and I find myself getting a random burst of energy.
"Meet up in twenty," Bear announces when he and his roommate, Greg, push past me, making our way through the living quarters.
We usually kick back and relax on our last nights here before heading home. I'm not feeling up to it tonight, but fuck it. I'll go anyway. It's better than sitting alone in my room, stuck with my racing thoughts.
After getting changed out of my work uniform, showering, and dressing in grey jogging pants and a white t-shirt, I make my way down the living quarters to the commons area to find Bear, Collin, Greg, Jake, and Timmy.
As usual, Bear has his guitar in hand, strumming away while he sings, while the others sit back and chat.
I make my way over to them and sit in silence, taking in the words to Bear's song.
It's a song that tells a story of love, heartache, pain, and longing—the one that blew up on Tiktok, thanks to Greg posting it. Bear was fucking pissed, and I had to keep him from throwing the man off the rig.
I get why it went viral. It’s a good song.
And it's fucking depressing.
It feels familiar.
We all sit and shoot the shit for a while. Timmy was able to sneak some beers tonight. Thank God, I fucking need one. After about an hour, the guys all head back to their cabins, and it's just Bear and me. He's singing the same song from earlier when I first walked up.
"Dude, that song's depressing,” I mutter.
He sighs but doesn't miss a beat as he keeps playing.
I continue, "You know, I told you about my girlfriend's best friend already. Let me hook you up on a date with her."
He stops playing, stops singing, and the room falls silent. "No." He throws me a warning glare.
"Why not?"
"I'm not being set up on a fucking date. Have you lost it?"
I snort out a laugh. "Seriously, dude, I already told you that you remind me of her for some reason. You’re both so… fucking forlorn. I think you two would hit it off."
"And I already told you, no. Especially when you use a word like forlorn"
"Great. I'll text you the details once we hit land."
"Mav—" Bear warns, but I cut him off.
"Dude, look, it's one fucking date. If you guys hit it off, cool. If not, oh well. It's one night."
Bear stares at me as if he's picturing ripping me apart with his hands.
I'm unsure why I'm so intent on hooking him up with Via. They're both like lost souls; maybe they'll find themselves together. Or be a good hookup. Who the fuck knows?
I stare back. "One fucking date, you damn grump. It’ll cheer me up."
"Fuck it. Whatever, but don't expect me to talk."
I can't help the laugh that belts out of me. "Not you, Mister Talkative himself! How dare I ever expect that!?"