Page 6 of Sins of the Flesh
"Mrs.Abbot," I say warmly, taking her delicate hand between mine.
"Father Nichol's, you must call me Emma!You remember my son Cole?"
She nudges him forward, and he stumbles.I clutch his shoulders to catch him.Our eyes lock for just a moment, and the world goes quiet.
Cole hurriedly rights himself on his feet, his blush deepening, and extends his hand towards me, before taking it I notice the small tremor revealing the nerves he's trying hard to hide.His grip is solid and confident with calloused palms and a comfortable hold, in stark contrast to his anxious demeanor.However, this demeanor is not uncommon when he and I interact.
"Good to see you again, young man," I say with a friendly smile.
"F-Father Nichols," Cole croaks nervously before clearing his throat.
"I would like to apply for the Handyman position.While I may not have formal experience, I assure you I am more than capable."
The small hint of confidence he is showing through his nervousness is intriguing, and it makes me grin.Also, having known his late father, William, who was working on some projects for the Church at the time of his unfortunate passing, I know Cole is probably more capable than even he would be willing to let on.
"I knew William well; we would be honored to have you join our team," I say warmly, placing a reassuring hand on Cole's shoulder.His face brightens like a warm summer day, and his green eyes dance with happiness.
"My wife Allison can take you to the office to sort out the paperwork, and you can start Monday; how does that sound to you, Cole?"I ask, already knowing his answer.Vigorously shaking my hand, he enthusiastically replies,
"Thank you, sir.Um, Father Nichol's."Leaning in close, still gripping his hand, I whisper in his ear,
"You can call me Caleb."I pull my head back and wink playfully, like it's our little secret, before releasing his hand.His face turns impossibly redder as he quickly steps past me.
Three
Cole
I Touch Myself - The Divynyls
J
ust go ahead and park by the fence in the back of the lot and enter through this door in the morning.”Mrs.Nichols instructs as she walks me out of the side door of the church.I nod and hold out my hand
“Thank you ma’am.”Smiling at me she says,
“Ally is fine.”She turns and walks away from me.
I peer around the corner of the door.I had told Mom to drive home without me and right now I’m regretting it.Because I am sure I still have a full body flush from when Father Nichols whispered in my ear earlier.God, the sound of his husky voice and his hot breath on my ear damn near brought me to my knees.He makes the most mundane things sexy I swear or at least my brain thinks so.
Right now all I can think of is escaping without him seeing me.When I don't see anyone in the parking lot, I dart to a tall shrub at the end of the building by the front of the Church steps and peek around the bush.
No one in sight, perfect.I count to three and bolt past the front of the Church, once it's clear I sprint the rest of the way home.
Is it normal to have your own theme music thrumming in your head?Darting around the Church just now I felt like I was a spy in a movie.
But no, just a pathetic gay man who is afraid to see his crush after nearly falling on him, stuttering my way through a job request and blushing my ass off.Honestly it's shocking no one has called me out on my behavior whenever I'm around that man.
I make it home in record time, rush through the front door, and practically dive face-first onto our living room couch.Mom glances up from her knitting, one eyebrow raised.
"Well, that was quick.Did you sprint the whole way?"
I groan into a throw pillow."Maybe."
"And why exactly are we running from the nice Church people who just gave you a job?"
“I wasn’t running from anyone.”All lies.“Just wanted to get in some exercise.”Not a complete lie.“What's for Lunch?That run made me hungry.”
“It’s sitting on the stove waiting for you.”She smiles at me as I get up and kiss her cheek.
