Thwarted - 22. Chapter Twenty-Two

“You need coffee?” Trey held up the thermos Mark had dug out of a cupboard and filled before they’d left.

“No thanks. I’m coffee’d out, any more of that and I’m going to have to stop alongside the road.” Mark was only half joking. He was definitely going to have to stop somewhere before they got to Trey’s parents, but he wasn’t desperate yet. Besides, he’d drunk so much coffee it was starting to make him jittery and he was nervous enough about meeting Trey’s family.

“Sometimes I forget how long this drive is.”

“I’ve been on longer.” Mark glanced over and smiled when he saw Trey watching him. “How much longer until we get to your parent’s place?”

“A half hour or so. There’s a truck stop right before we get into town. I usually stop there to use the bathroom.” He grinned. “Mom hates it when I rush past her to the bathroom, barely even saying hello.”

“Just let me know what exit to take.” A half hour. He had the feeling that half hour would go by extremely fast. “So, anything I need to know about your parents?”

“Not really. Mom and Dad own a bed and breakfast place. They got tired of always having to be on hand though and hired staff to run it so they could live off site.” Trey shrugged. “They enjoyed it, and still do, but they could never just get away. Dad still does the majority of the maintenance and mom does all the bookkeeping.”

“Did you help your dad with the maintenance and stuff growing up?” Mark could just picture Trey following his dad around with a miniature tool belt around his hips.

“Yeah, sometimes. I can fix a leaky faucet with the best of them, but most the time I was off doing my own thing.” Trey grinned. “Usually I was out doing stuff that was bound to get me in trouble if my parents had found out about it.”

“Oh really? Do tell.” Mark looked over briefly.

Trey grinned at him.

“Nope, not telling you all my secrets just yet. You’ll find out soon enough.”

“I’m sure the truth can’t compete with my imagination anyways.” Mark wasn’t above teasing to try and get the information. Besides, it helped to keep his mind busy and off other things.

“I’m sure it can’t, but that’s not going to work.” Trey laughed.

“Was worth a shot.”

“Take this next exit. We can top off the tank if you want, get drinks, and use the bathroom.” Trey pointed out the windshield and Mark could see the truck stop up ahead.

He pulled off and it didn’t take long until they were back on the road. Mark hadn’t protested when Trey slid behind the wheel. It made sense, since Trey knew exactly where they were going. Mark tried to think of things to fill the silence, but came up with little. Before he knew it they were pulling up into the driveway of a decent sized two story house. Mark swallowed and Trey shut off the engine and opened the driver’s door.

“You ready?”

“Yep.” What else could he say? It was a little late for him to be having doubts. He climbed out and trailed behind Trey as they approached the front door. “What about our bags?”

“We’ll come back out and grab them.”

Mark hung back slightly as the screen door opened and a woman only a few inches shorter than himself and Trey stepped out. The door slammed shut behind her.

“Trey! You’re home!” The woman pulled Trey into her arms.

“Hey Mom.” Trey wrapped his arms her.

She may have been nearly as tall as his boyfriend, but Trey’s bulk easily dwarfed the slender woman. Mark smiled as he watched the tender reunion, but swallowed when Trey pulled back and both Trey and his mom turned to face him.

“You must be Mark; Trey’s told me so much about you. I’m Diane.”

Mark stepped forward and, unsure what else to do, started to hold out his hand.

“It’s nice to meet you Mrs. Simpson.”

“Oh, none of that. It’s Diane.” Diane smacked his hand down and pulled him into a hug.

Mark glanced past her to see Trey watching them with a grin. Unable to do anything else he returned the hug awkwardly before pulling away.

“Where’s dad at?”

“He got a call about some issue up at the bed and breakfast.” Trey’s mom shrugged. “He didn’t give me all of the details, but he called about twenty minutes ago that he was on his way back, so he should be here anytime. Now”—she looked at Trey—“where are your bags?”

“They’re in the truck.”

“Well go get ‘em and bring ‘em in, they’re not going to do you any good out there.” Diane opened the screen door before turning to look at them. “I put you in your old room.”

“Thanks Mom.” Trey leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek and turned to Mark as she went inside. “Guess we should have just brought them in from the start.”

Mark shrugged and headed back to the truck. He’d just grabbed his duffel out of the back when another pick-up pulled up next to his in the driveway. He swung the strap of his bag over his shoulder and walked around to join Trey as an older version of Trey climbed out of the truck.

“You made it!” The big man wrapped Trey in a hug.

“I did.” Trey pulled back. “Dad, I’d like you to meet Mark. Mark, this is my dad, Gary.”

Mark’s hand was clasped and he found himself looking into eyes the same shade of green as Trey’s.

“So, you’re the one who talked my son into quitting the Army.”