Page 38 of Evergreen Desires
I turned and walked back into the dining-room-turned-office so that he didn’t see anything more on my face.
***
“I didn’t expect to see you up and moving,” Will said as he bent over a waist-high plant, slicing clean through the stalk with a curved blade. He set the trimmed plant aside and grabbed a wooden stake from the pile at his feet. “How are you feeling?”
“I saw Beau about an hour ago and mentioned you were harvesting a row today. Figured I would see if I could help. Well, as much as Icanhelp with one good arm.”
“Dude, I got things under control, but you’re more than welcome to help. Of course Beau would say it was just one row. I am actually doing one table in this house and two in the next house. You do what you want and don’t push yourself. I can handle it, but I am happy for the help.”
“Can we chat while we work?”
He must have seen my hesitation. Will asked in his no-nonsense voice, making sure to look me straight in the eyes, “What is it?”
It made me consider chickening out of asking him for advice. I took a breath before I turned to the row of plants, pulled on some gloves, and began helping. Hoping the lack of eye contact as I spoke would help. “Does Beau still like me? You know what I mean…reallylike me.”
Will went wide-eyed and stared at me. I continued to focus on the plant in front of me. “I can tell you, emphatically, that he cares deeply for you. What's brought this on?" He had taken off his gloves and was leaning with his butt on the table, arms folded across his chest.
“He has not slept with me since the hospital. Not sex, but he truly has not slept in his bed with me. He hasn'tcuddled with me. I get that I have injuries and was a bit out of it the first couple of days with painkillers. But he even pulled away from a kiss this afternoon when he came home at lunch to grab a sandwich. Then he just hurried back out the door to get to work.” The tears were welling in my eyes again, but I was refusing to blink them out.
There was a moment of silence. It was excruciating, as if it was dragged out forever, despite it being likely only a few beats.
“Jake, Beau loves you. If he has not said that to you, then he’s an idiot. But as someone who has been with him his whole life, I can tell you he loves you. Did you ever question it prior to the accident?”
“No, not at all.”
“I can say this last week, he’s scared. You know he lost his mom in a car accident when we were still in high school.”
“Yes, he had mentioned it. I don’t know the details, but he did say you took care of him after that.”
“I drove that fucker around for six months. I was happy to; he was my best friend, still is. It was not too long after that when I was kicked out of my house and his dad took me in. I was here when he got the call from Mat about your accident. He did not take it well. I had to take the phone from his hand and even help get his shoes on. He was helpless… because it was YOU. Yes, it sparked some flashbacks, no doubt, but it was all because it wasyou.” Will paused, staring off into the distance. “That is why he’s installing cameras everywhere and had a security alarmcompany here the very next day. I think it’s killing him that you’re now involved in the mess with the town, just because the two of you are a thing.”
“But it’s my choice,” I said. “I want to be part of his world… the good and the bad.”
“Here is my advice… just keep being there. He loves you. He will never be able to deny that. When he figures out what is in his head and feels we’re all safe, you will be back to your bed gymnastics.” He did his best pelvic thrust dance for emphasis.
“Dude, you’re like a teenager that never grew up.” Admittedly, he made me smirk.
“Yeah, but you love it.”
“Thank you,” I said, because he’d really helped ease my mind. “Truly.”
“Hey, you’re family, man… now are you helping me or not?” We both turned our attention to the long table in front of us that was not going to harvest itself. We’d better get to work.
CHAPTER 32
BEAU
The aroma of something delicious filled the air as I hung up my flannel coat by the back door. Jake was busy in the kitchen, arranging plates and utensils. The sight of him, with a bandage on his forehead and his arm in a sling, brought a rush of emotions to my chest. I tried to stay focused and asked, "What smells so good? How are you doing? Did you have much pain today?"
He chuckled. "Wow, you just asked like three questions in a row in the same breath."
"Ah, sorry. Just lots on my mind and they all came out at once," I said, feeling awkward and a bit flustered.
"I'm fine," he reassured me, coming around the counter to give me a quick kiss on the top of my head. The gesture caught me off guard, and I struggled to react.
"I made us a tater tot casserole," he said with a smile.
"Tater tot casserole? I've never heard of that," I admitted.
