Page 18 of Because You Rejected Me

I walked away from him, trying desperately to act like everything was perfectly normal. In the shade of the house, I hosed down the veggies in the crate, trying to get through all of them without returning my gaze to Matt. It only took me a minute or two to clean them off, but it felt like a lifetime with him so close. I knew I shouldn’t act too excited to see him, but I wanted to sweep him in my arms and hold him for the rest of the day. I craved his scent. But I knew if I started being weird, he’d definitely notice.

Stay cool, Ace, I thought to myself. Don’t be a weirdo.

Once the veggies were washed, I leaned the crate up against the house in the shade to let them drain. They would be fine there for a little while. I headed back over to the picnic table where Matt was standing awkwardly, shifting from foot to foot with nervous energy.

“So, what did you bring me?” I asked, putting on a friendly smile. I took a deep breath through my nose. “It smells like Chinese food.”

“It is,” Matt replied. “And whatever this is.”

He gestured to a drawstring bag tucked into the basket on the back of the bicycle. I reached for it, surprised by the weight as I lifted it out. Setting it on the picnic table, I pulled it open. There was a bright glimmer of amber from inside. Reaching in, I pulled out a glass quart jar filled to the brim with warm golden honey. There was a piece of paper tied around the body of the jar.

“That was nice of him,” I said. “He knows how much I love honey.”

Untying the string around the jar, I pulled off the piece of paper and unfolded it. Inside was a handwritten note from Sam.

Ace,

I know you’ve been needing help on your farm. I’ve got all the hands I need at the hotel, so please put Matt to work at your place. He’ll be earning his keep by working for you a few days a week. And, if he doesn’t believe you, show him this note.

Good luck.

-Sam

P.S. Matt – being outside will do you some good. And going to the markets with Ace will help you meet the locals and make friends. Just give it a shot.

I looked up from the page, staring directly into Matt’s honey-colored eyes. Sam knew exactly what he was doing. I knew he’d try to meddle in things like he always did, but this was definitely the last move I expected him to make.

“Uh… I think you should read this,” I said, holding the note out to Matt.

“Okay?”

He took the note anyway and flipped it open. The moment his eyes grazed over the page, I saw his brows furrow in irritation.

“What?!” He looked up at me, absolutely furious. “He didn’t say anything about that! He just said I was making a delivery!” He glanced back down, reading through the post-script at the bottom. “Ugh… is he always like this?”

I nodded. “Yep. That’s Sam. He’s got good intentions, but he can be a bit blunt with them.”

“Great.” Matt tossed the note down on the picnic table. “So, what do you want me to do then? Dig a fucking hole or something? I don’t know jack shit about gardening.”

“I think we should eat first.” I pulled open the bag of Chinese takeout, finding a lot more in there than even two people could handle. “He sent enough for both of us.”

Matt just sighed, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Help me move the picnic table into the shade.”

“Fine.”

I was surprised by Matt’s strength. He was small and skinny, but when those ropey muscles of his pulled taut, he could get some work done. We moved the table into the shade and I left him to get the food out while I grabbed utensils and plates from inside. I came back with that and two beers tucked into my right elbow.

“Do you like beer?” I asked, setting them on the table.

“I’m not old enough,” he said. “Not for another three months.”

I lifted an eyebrow. “That’s not what I asked.”

He sighed again. “Yeah. It’s fine.”

“Okay.” I handed it over to him. “But just one. I don’t need you getting sloppy drunk on your first day of work.”

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