Surviving The Aftermath (Book 1): The Dead Linger by Liz Roberts Page B

to?”
    “Loading the truck with supplies for the kitchen, green house, and Andy asked me to deliver some more of these propane tanks to the front gate.” She said as she was putting cans of soup and other mixed things in a box to load. “Did you want to help me?” Please let him say yes. She had been trying to get some sort of one on one time with Jack for a bit now. He was her age, kind of, and he was cute, what else was really around here? Plus he was funny, and nice, and Jill really liked him and that was a big endorsement in Meghan’s eyes.
    “Oh yeah, sure no problem. Here let me lift those tanks, they look really heavy.” Jack said trying to take the tanks Meghan chose at that moment to lift also. Their hands brushed and Jack blushed right away.
    “Thanks. You’re really sweet.” She said.
    “Oh it’s nothing really. I just want to help where ever I can.” He replied. They continued working, stacking and talking, until finally the pickup truck was loaded.
    “Now I’m off to make deliveries, did you want to come along for that?”
    “Yeah sure.” And Jack hopped in to the passenger side of the truck. They drove over to the green house, with summer coming they were really surging on planting vegetables, and they had a nice little plot of area they were able to dig up the grass and use to plant bigger things like corn. After unloading the soil and seeds, they headed over to the main entrance. Andy and Mike were out there talking to a few other people. They seemed to be always strategizing, Jack really wanted to be a part of that. He felt like he could contribute decent ideas and help. They each got out of the truck and started unloading the newly refilled propane tanks.
    “Here you guys go, is this enough or do you need us to make another trip?” Meghan was asking Mike while Jack continued to unload the back of the truck.
    “No this looks good. Hey can you go grab those empties to refill?” Mike said pointedly to Jack. Jack kind of just stared at Mike for a minute and Mike gave a nod with his head to the side. Begrudgingly Jack went over to get the empties and had to walk out of earshot, he could tell by the Mike was leaning towards Meghan that there was possibly something between the two. Mike was tall, has some thick wavy blonde hair that apparently didn’t know there was zombie apocalypse because his hair always looked good. Like GQ good, he was slim like most but also muscular. Jack didn’t feel like he could compete with him, Mike had been caught up in the first explosion from the propane tanks, when the zombies breeched, he was on the roof above, and his only scars were on the inside. Something about all the smoke inhalation and heat had messed with his vocal chords and it only improved him by giving him a deep gruff sexy voice, or so he had heard from most the women around.
    As he came walking back he saw Meghan laughing at something Mike had just said, man did that burn him up. He loaded the tanks and slammed the tailgate shut hard.
    “I’m done.” He said and got in the cab in an obvious huff. Meghan and Mike said good bye and they were off to the kitchen.
    “What’s wrong with you?”
    “Nothing.” Jack said in such a way that it was clear something was bothering him. They stopped at the kitchen, really just the backside loading docks of one of the pick’n’save, it was just easier getting things in this way. Jack unloaded in silence while Meghan chatted with the others helping. But she kept looking over to try and get Jack’s attention, he wouldn’t even make eye contact. Saying goodbyes and now off to return the truck, Jack slammed his door when they got back in. Meghan drove to a slightly secluded area and shut the car off.
    “Ok what’s your deal?” She turned to ask Jack.
    “Nothing.” Jack said yet again, but less surly as before.
    “You know, if you didn’t feel like doing any of the work you didn’t have to come with me, it was completely voluntary.” She was now