TheVisit FC Bonus Scene (3 page)

As for Costigan—hhe was infinitely more likeable and charming in the real world, and he was so considerate of Kai's anxiety that I had the urge to give him a half-hug. Full hug was pushing it.

After eating his weight in noodles and egg rolls, Costigan offered to walk to the store for more beer and seemed confused that there wasn't one in walking distance. I offered to drive.

"I couldn't live in a place where you had to drive everywhere," he said once he was buckled into my truck. "For real. This is ridiculous."

"Driving is ridiculous?"

"Nah, man. Having to go on a full journey to get some brews instead of just walking down the block. Our house is legit ten minutes from four bodegas. No lie."

I shook my head, grinning faintly as I drove us to the nearest gas station. It took less than ten minutes driving, but I saw his point.

"I'm gonna tell you something nice so don't fuck it up by mouthing off."

He perked up. "Am I doing a good job?"

"A good job of what?"

"Not fucking up," he said. "I was sweating it for hours, man. Convinced you'd regret inviting us or that I'd not get on with Kai. Shit. Luke had to suck my dick to calm my anxious ass down."                                              

I'd barely processed the first two sentences before he was blurting out the third. "Is that why you typoed your way through a text message before you showed up?"

Costigan bobbed his head. "He has skills."

I shook my head, laughing, and turned into the gas station. Instead of getting out right away, I unbuckled my seatbelt and turned to him. He was smiling, but there was still a flash of uncertainty in his baby blues. It was the same way he'd looked at me after asking if we could keep in touch. Like he was expecting rejection or reprimand of some sort.

"Dominic, I never for a second had the concern that you would piss me off or do something to upset Kai. The past shit is in the past. It's done."

His brows drew together. "But—"

"No." I held up a hand. "It's done, man. I see the way you are with Kai, and he's told me how good you are to your sister. I have no concerns. I trust you. And I like Luke."

His eyes just about popped out of his head. "Seriously? You hate everyone."

"Yeah, well, I don't hate you and he's a good dude. Bonus points for cursing just as much as me and drinking good beer. Also, yard tips."

Costigan undid his own buckle. "You people and your plants. I do not fuck with nature."

"Dude, we were discussing grass and potted plants not the rainforest."

"Okay, Suburbanite. Don't get defensive. It's okay that you're two steps off from a minivan."

I rolled my eyes and shouldered my way out of the car to keep from smacking him in the head.

"Keep it up and I'll regret asking Kai if you guys could visit again."

Dominic met me at the entrance of the gas station. "Is that something you were considering?"

"Yeah." I shrugged. "Why not? We're having a good time. It's not like I like any other people."

He stared at me seriously for a long moment before his face broke into a huge smile. He slung an arm around my shoulders.

"Aw, Reid, you big softie. I knew you wanted to be my best fucking friend!"

Sighing loudly, I let him drag me into the store. I started to chastise him about his booming voice yelling curses all over the place, but that was Dominic Costigan. Larger than life, sucking up all the attention in a room, and really damn happy to be my friend.

And the feeling was mutual.

Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for more Cyberlove announcements!

--Megan and Santino--