Page 20 of Stuck With My Christmas Crush

“And you don’t want to know?”

“That’s right.”

“Well. I want to know.”

“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Jason laughs and our eyes meet in the warm cozy room. He holds my gaze for a brief moment of connection, then I sense his defensive walls again. His look says, leave me alone. But then. There’s something else. Something softer, more vulnerable behind the tough manly exterior. I’m the first to look away.

“So, how come you called your dog Rocko?” I feel the need to lighten the mood.

“I had a roommate like Rocko one time. Lenny. A big old friendly, ridiculously generous guy with absolutely no sense of personal space. He was a dead ringer for Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. And when I called him out on his stuff that he’d leave all over the place, on the floors or furniture, I swear, he’d look at me with the same expression as Rocko – mildly surprised and a little bit hurt, but ever so apologetic.”

We’re quiet for little while, then I say, “Jason. I’m pretty tired after all the drama today. So, um, I was wondering about the sleeping arrangements.”

“Of course. Yes. Sleeping arrangements. Well. You have my room. And I’ll grab the couch with Rocko.”

“Are you sure? I don’t mind sleeping on the couch. It looks comfy and…”

“No. Please. You’re my guest. I’d feel better if you had my room.”

“Well. In that case. Thank you. Again. For everything.”

Jason shows me to the tiny bedroom. It’s only just big enough for the double bed and a set of drawers.

“The sheets were clean yesterday. I don’t have another set, sorry.”

“That’s okay. It’s five hundred percent better, a thousand percent better than sleeping in my car.”

Jason steps past me to the set of drawers, pulls open the top drawer, and takes out a freshen-up pack with a fancy monogrammed logo on the side.

“I have a bunch of these. From the hotel,” he says as he hands me the zip-up toiletries bag. “There’s a toothbrush, toothpaste, some other lotions and stuff you might want. “I keep them handy, just in case.”

“Just in case a fairy lands in your backyard.”

“Something like that. Yes.”

“Goodnight, Charlie. I hope you sleep well.”

As Jason says these words the lights snap off and we’re standing in inky blackness.

“Ooh. What happened?”

“Wait a minute,” he says as he turns on his phone creating a feint eerie blue light that’s only just bright enough to illuminate his face. “The power’s out. It could just be a fuse for this house or perhaps it’s the whole neighborhood. I’ll go check.”

“I’m coming with you,” I say grabbing Jason’s arm and staying close as we walk back into the living room.

Rocko, sensing something’s up has hopped down from the couch and wags his tail, expecting orders.

“Lie down, boy. We’re alright.” Jason pats Rocko’s head reassuringly. “Wait here.” It takes me a moment to realize that he’s talking to me, and not the dog.

“Oh, okay.” I sit obediently on the couch. But then, Jason could have been talking to Rocko who jumps up beside me.

Jason disappears into the kitchen again leaving Rocko and I snuggled together. I wrap my arms around Rocko’s warm, muscular body which instantly soothes and calms me. He leans into me, and I stroke his head. We sit together listening to the sounds of the storm outside that seem amplified by the enveloping darkness, and the additional noises of Jason opening and closing drawers and closets in the kitchen.

Chapter 9

Jason

Ihad just said goodnight to Charlie when the lights go out. We’re in total darkness until I turn on my phone.

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