Page 12 of Dock

“Enough,” Hogan casually retorts, pulling my gaze over to where he’s stretching his arm out to rest along the back of my chair.

Is he confident?

Or cocky?

Both?

Neither?

Hopeful?!

Rather than investigate his response, I redirect my attention to where it’s supposed to be.

Needs to be.

“Hogan,” leaves me in an indifferent tone, unsure of the direction it should take from the opening alone, “don’t forget where you came from and remember shit can always get worse.” Nodding precedes me announcing, “Very blunt.”

“Is that bad?”

“I think it’s honest.” Our eyes gravitate to one another’s yet again. “And I think honesty is highly underrated.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” Angling my frame towards his just a bit is done in tandem with me adding, “I think a lot of the time people say what makes them sound good or the other person feel good or makes themselves feel good steering them away from what may hurt, but also away from the chance to grow or learn something whether that something is about themselves or someone else.” The pause taken isn’t long enough for questions. “You’ve chosen to give yourself life advice. Not false hope. Not sugar-coated positivity. Just an honest reminder.”

To my surprise, the tiniest twitch of a smile is seen.

And not the cocky shit that’s been making me wish I had on better panties.

No.

This is sweet.

Bashful even.

“Now, this advice…this letter,” my fingers wiggle the object of our topic, “is it to past you or future you?”

“Idono.”

“Okay.” An innocent nod is presented. “Would you rather talk to your younger self, which I guess would be child you since you’re, what? Eighteen? Nineteen?”

The aforementioned smug smirk returns. “Twenty-five.”

Phew.

So, I’m not a total cougar that’s escaped the city zoo.

“Or…” hiding the relief over his age is poorly done given how his grin arrogantly grows, “would you rather talk to the older version of you? Let’s say…forty-five.”

“Are you forty-five?”

“Thirty. Eight.” I shift uncomfortably in my seat yet stay open in his direction. “Who do you think needs this advice?”

He slouches further in the seat.

Spreads his legs.

Gives the edge of his long nose a displeased rub.