Page 16 of Jackson
“You’ve cut yourself, let me get a tissue,” Isaid.
I pulled a tissue from a box on the counter and reached up; as I did he backed away. There was a moment of awkwardness before I saw him relax. I dabbed the scratch with thetissue.
“Someone got their claws into you?” I said with a laugh, praying I was way off thetruth.
“Must have got too close to a bush or something,” he replied, notconvincingly.
I did something I really didn’t want to do. I inhaled deeply. What the fuck I thought I was doing was beyond me, but I relaxed when I couldn’t smell the scent of a woman onhim.
Jackson turned away and pressed play on the music centre he had on the counter. Another James Bay song played and I sat opposite as he sang,Move Together.He looked at me as he sang certain lyrics and once again, my stomach somersaulted. Was he singing tome?
“You have a beautiful voice,” Isaid.
I wished I could have taken the words back, not that I didn’t mean them but it seemed an inappropriate thing tosay.
“I like this song,” he mumbled as he threw the salad into a bowl. “If you want to grab some plates, I think the steaks will beready.”
I slid from the stool and followed him to the balcony with the plates and cutlery. He took each plate and laid a steak on it. We sat as the song filtered from the kitchen. For a moment I listened to the words, it was a haunting song and I swallowed back the lump that had jumped to my throat. I wished hehadsung that song tome.
The sun began to set and we chatted about everything and nothing. He told me all about the bar, Dexter, and D-J. I laughed at some of their antics. He became animated when he spoke aboutPassion.
“You’ve certainly found your passion in Passion,” Isaid.
“That’s so corny, but you’re right. For once I feel like I fit insomewhere.”
“I’m so glad for you. I miss you, of course, but I’m glad you’ve found somewhere tosettle.”
“You miss me? Let me guess, you miss my wonderful array of jokes. The ones you always rolled your eyes at. Or you miss my wit and charm. I think you called me a miserable bastard manytimes.”
“I miss having you close,” Isaid.
He closed his eyes briefly then reached for his beer and took a longsip.
“I miss you, too, but I had to dothis.”
“Dexter wants you to buy into the bar, will you dothat?”
“Doubt I could afford it right now. I’d like to think I might at somepoint.”
“So you’ll never come backhome?”
“One day. You are always welcome here, Summer. What the fuck have you got to rush home for? Extend your stay. I mean, you’ve only been here for a few days but stay for themonth.”
I rested back in my chair, having finished my meal. “That’s tempting, for sure. But I don’t know. I need to find a job soon. And I need to be back home for the apartmentsale.”
“Think aboutit?”
“I will. You cooked, I’ll clearup.”
I stood, I wasn’t rushing to clear up because I wanted to; I wanted to end the conversation. Jack piled the plates and I carried them in, he followed wanting to replenish his beer. As I loaded the dishwasher, he stood to my side at the fridge. I could feel the heat radiate from his body, he was so close. I could smell his aftershave and wondered what brand it was. I liked the smell of him. I’d always liked the smell ofhim.
As he made to pass me, he placed his hand on my hip. An electrical current ran through my body at his touch. He walked back to the balcony with two beers, and I watched through the window as he lay on one of the daybeds. I followed him. He shuffled to one side and patted it. I climbed on beside him. He handed me a beer and we clinkedbottles.
The sun had set and the balcony was lit by subtle uplighters in thedecking.
“Can you see the stars this time?” I asked as I rested my headback.
“I could see them lastnight.”
