Chapter 33
Magma
I pull out of the Security Central lot. Flint is in the passenger seat. His bags are in the trunk. I find a break in the traffic and accelerate.
“Are you ready?” I ask him.
“All set,” he tells me.
“This is a very exciting opportunity for you, Flint.”
“I know, and I plan on grabbing it with both hands. I owe you so much. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you.”
I chuckle. “You’re a hard worker. This is all you.”
“Thanks, Magma. I appreciate you being so supportive.”
“Are you kidding? I feel like a proud old man, as the humans would say, even though I’m not old enough to be your father.”
The traffic thins on the expressway. I pull into the left lane.
This transition is entirely the right move for his career, and I am genuinely glad about it. I’m going to miss him.
“Snare will be fine,” Flint says, like he’s reading me.
“I know he will.”
“He’s solid, has good instincts, and the team respects him.”
“You don’t need to sell him to me. I know all of that. It’s why I asked him to fill in for you.” I glance over.
“Then what’s the face for?”
“I don’t have a face.”
“You absolutely have a face. It’s not a permanent move,” Flint says.
“I want to be clear about that. A few months, maybe. I help them get the rogue management and integration structure up and running, and then I come back. I’ve told Snare not to get too comfortable.
He knows the position is more than likely temporary. ”
“And if the long-term role at Mistveil comes through?”
He gives a small shrug. “I’ll make a decision then. Right now, it is a few months. Don’t start building a universe around the worst-case scenario.”
“I don’t dislike change,” I say. “I just take time to adjust to it, that’s all.”
He makes a sound of agreement.
I change lanes again to catch the exit. “It’s going to make my job easier, if you want the truth. Having Security Central embedded in their structure properly, with someone I trust running the coordination. It takes a significant problem off my desk.”
“And that right there,” he nods, “is the right way to think about it.” He laughs. “You’ll be fine without me.”
We hit the traffic lights before the departure turnoff, and I slow down. The rain from the weekend is gone and the morning is warm and clear.
“Besides, I’m back in two weeks,” Flint says. “I’ll be on Draig soil on a regular basis. This is home.”
“Good.” I nod a few times.
“And when I’m here, you and I are going for a beer.” He gives me a look.
“Sounds good.”
“You are buying.”
I laugh. “Sure thing. Although you might be a little busy since you’ll no doubt be spending whatever free time you have with Carla. Talking about Carla, how did it go on Saturday?”
I’ve been dying to ask him since he arrived this morning. I know I’m prying, but I can’t help it.
“We had a really great time.”
Jealousy eats at me. I have to grit my teeth for a moment until the worst of it passes.
“That’s good to hear and exactly my point. You’ll need to spend all your time on Draig Island with Carla if it’s going to work. Beers with me is not as important.”
“We agreed that a long-distance relationship was not the answer. We’ll be in touch, and we might go out again but…it won’t be anything serious.”
So, they’re just going to fuck.
Why do I hate that so damned much?
“She’s worth more than that, Flint. I know she likes you. She must be hurt over this.”
“She didn’t seem hurt.” He frowns. The male is fucking clueless.
“Maybe I’ll give her a call,” I say. “Check in on her.”
“Give her some fatherly support.” He grins at me.
“I’m less than fourteen years older than her. I’m not old enough to be her father,” I snap.
“I see you’re feeling prickly this morning. I know you like Carla and that you see us as being good together, but…maybe stay out of it. I’ll stay out of things between you and Brook. How’s that for a deal?” He lifts his brows.
“That’s a great idea,” I tell him.
The airport turnoff comes up, and I follow the road around to the departures drop-off zone. The area is busy, vehicles pulling in and out. I find a space along the pickup barrier and pull in.
I put my SUV in park and open the trunk with the push of a button.
“You don’t have to walk me in,” Flint says. “I know you have a whole pile of work on your desk as well as that meeting with the Council this afternoon.”
“I do.”
We get out of the car, and he grabs his bag, closing the trunk.
I hold out my hand, and he takes it. Then he pulls me in, one arm around my back, and we hug. It’s over quickly.
“I’ll be back,” he says. “We’re having those beers.”
“Okay.”
We step apart.
He picks up one bag, slinging it over his shoulder, and pulls the other one behind him. Flint raises a hand as he walks away. I watch him through the glass doors, past the information screens, and then he rounds a corner, and he’s gone.
I get back into my vehicle and start it up.
I consider going past the hospital on my way back. Or texting Carla to see if she is okay. I quickly decide against both of those things.
Carla doesn’t need me interfering in her life.
I put my SUV into reverse.
We both need to get on with our lives.