Mannie was a morning person. Aden had always considered himself one as well but, there was no comparison. Mannie had the energy that it took most people five cups of coffee to achieve, before even getting out of the house.

With Aden’s help, they cut the work time almost in half, which made Mannie very happy. It only took them a few hours, making the payment split worth it for the both of them. As Mannie counted out the bills to hand over to Aden, he told him that usually he’d be shopping well into the afternoon, and wouldn’t get the deliveries done until late in the evening.

“Normally if that happens I crash with Corey, then come back home the next morning.”

“That doesn’t sound too bad though,” Aden commented, taking the money he was handed. After what Corey had said, and what Mannie revealed the night before, Aden would have thought a friendly night together would do them both some good.

“It’s not, but I can’t really afford the wasted night right now. My summer semester starts next week.”

“School definitely keeps you busy.”

“You could say that again.” As he pocketed the leftover cash he let a swear pass his lips. “Speaking of Corey, I almost forgot her paints. Should I drop you off at the bus station or do you wanna tag along for one more pickup?”

Aden considered for a moment, then shrugged. “I have some time. If you’ll have me?”

Mannie grinned, pulling his truck around.

They stopped at an art supply store a few blocks away. Being equally uneducated in the fine arts, the two of them probably looked quite out of place and generally confused walking into the shop together. Luckily, Mannie had a slight idea of what he was looking for at least, and found an aisle of watercolor supplies.

Aden browsed the paints available as Mannie inspected prices, a string of mumbles under his breath as he wondered aloud which would be best for her. “I dunno if she realizes how pricey even the cheap shit is.”

“What does she normally get?” Aden asked, curious.

Mannie looked around, then pointed to a metal case of twenty-four colors. “She has this set. I remember her talking about running out of some colors late last year so she’s probably pretty low in general at this point.”

“How much is it?” Aden took it off the rack and inspected the packages. He cringed when he found the price tag. Even if Aden skipped the bus ticket altogether, he still didn’t have enough for the set. “That sucks,” he said, thinking out loud.

Mannie hummed a questioning noise, glancing at Aden to explain.

“It’s nothing. I was just thinking of getting it for her.” He had tried to be nonchalant about it, but Mannie was not buying it.

He smirked in reply. “What for? Looking to buy her favor?”

Aden felt the blush bloom up under his collar. “No. I just feel like I owe her an apology. Or a thank you. I dunno.”

“Uh-huh.” Mannie nodded, but it was obvious he wasn’t buying it. “Tell you what, I’ll split it with you.”

Aden tried to tease but his words came out strained. “I’m not a charity case, you know.”

Mannie laughed. “I know. You said it was an apology though. I dunno what you have to apologize about when it comes to Corey but, I know I probably owe her a bit of an apology myself for being so MIA these past few weeks.”

“I mean, if you want to.” Aden didn’t mention that doing so would leave him short on case for the bus ticket.

“I have stipulations again though,” Mannie said, grabbing the case of paints from Aden. When he got a curious look in reply, he smirked and elaborated. “You gotta come back up to Pine Creek with me to give it to her.”

Aden had groaned, despite his grin, then hesitated before handing over his half of the total.

It’s not like he’d be able to afford the bus now anyway.