When you first step up to the register and place down your snacks, it takes you a second to recognize the dark haired young man standing behind the counter. Recognition flits across his face before it does yours.

“Merrill?”

Merrill Hess— the ex-jock you used to peer tutor in high school turned gas station worker after almost a decade. He owed you for helping him keep up his grades while being involved in athletics.

The slight smirk he offers you is a touch more fond than you anticipated. “Hey. Been a while, hasn’t it?”

“Yeah, I mean… it has.” If you recalled correctly he’d been wanting to play in minor league baseball while you went out of town for university. The old town gossip from your parents was that he dropped out, you weren’t sure for what reason though.

Merrill takes his time scanning your times; he can afford to since it’s only you two at the gas station store at this hour. In the meantime you look him over inconspicuously; he’s gotten taller, more muscular. Just as stupidly handsome.

“I just got into town,” You begin, leaning your hip against the counter, glancing through the window at your car, “I’m on a little break from work— been car camping at different spots up the coast. Thought I’d stop in for a week or so. What have you been up to?”

“Sounds real neat,” To your surprise he sounds pretty sincere, “I’ve been working for… a bit.”

Merrill lets a beat pass, shifting on his heels as he bags up your items.

Your brows raise slightly and Merrill didn’t miss it. He continues, voice low and quiet to match the hum of fluorescent lights above you, “Moved in with my older brother and his kids about six months ago...” He seems to hesitate before leaving it at that.

Even though you had been away from home for years, word of his wife dying in a freak car accident didn’t escape you. It wasn’t your place to bring it up, so you didn’t.

“I’ve got my own loft in the barn shed— it’s not as bad as it sounds.” Merrill tacks on, fully aware it sounds like he’s really slumming it.

“Hey, that sounds spacious. Compared to a car trunk anyways,” You shrug, acknowledging your own unusual nomadic situation.

Merrill smirks at that, handing over your bag just as your stomach grumbled, “Come by for dinner. We could use the company.”

“Your brother wouldn’t mind?” Graham Hess always came off as strict but dependable even when you were younger considering he was a Reverend.

“Nah. He remembers you used to come over during our tutoring sessions. Called you my ‘good influence’,” He teases with a light roll of his eyes. “I’m in charge of dinner tonight. Fill up, rest up. How’s that sound?”

A soft snort escapes you as you hook your fingers into the plastic bag. Dinner with the Hess brothers after how many years. Plus two kids. Sounds like nothing short of an interesting night. “Yeah, sure. You getting off soon?”

“Right now,” Merrill flashes you a small but reassuring grin, his gaze dragging over you in a way that has you swallowing thickly and wondering if you’d imagined it.