Page 36 of The Weight of Your Wishes

I woke up alone in Grant’s bed this morning, and it was a cruel reminder that things aren’t any different than before, and I’ll still be going back to my mom’s house after this storm passes. Unsurprisingly, experiencing Grant last night was not enough—nothing with him could ever be enough.

He went to board up the windows at the bar and gas station. He let Patty know that we’d swing by and get her house ready for the storm.

So, that’s what we’re doing.

Patty’s house is similar to Grant’s on the exterior and surrounded by lush plants on all four sides. Although, she has hanging planters filled with vines and large potted plants on her front porch. Seems that her yard is overgrown, but her porch is neat. I wonder if she has anyone around here to help with it.

Grant keys the passcode for her garage, and the door starts squeaking open. He starts directing me right away. “Start toting the panels out,” he says, all business. He looks around for something, but I don’t bother to pay attention. The sooner we get this done, the sooner we can go home where I can sulk in my room. Maybe I could call Marina and tell her about it all, but it doesn’t seem nearly as appealing as it usually would. This feels like the sort of thing I should keep secret. I don’t want the memory to be tainted by outside opinions.

“Hendrix,” he calls from the garage.

“Yeah?” I walk back nervously.

“Patty’s going to be here soon, and she wants to make us lunch. She’s closing the store early today so she doesn’t get caught out driving in the storm. I reckon the outer bands will start hitting us this evening.”

I try to keep the annoyance from my face, but I can’t help the way my nose scrunches up like I’ve smelled something foul. “Great.”

He levels me with a stern look. “I’m going to grab any fallen limbs from her yard and bring in the furniture.”

I shrug and continue my task. She has about the same number of windows as Grant, so this is probably a two-bedroom house. I wonder if she ever had a husband or any kids. You’d think they’d be out here helping her right now instead of us.

Installing these shutters is mindless work, and I get lost in it—the only interruption being when Grant walks by, lugging various objects. It’s hard not to watch. So far, I’ve seen him collect branches, palm fronds, and some wrought iron garden furniture.

I can’t believe that we’re just going to act like nothing happened last night when I can still feel his hands in my hair and wrapped around my dick, can still taste his cum in my mouth. I heave a sigh and push the sweaty strands of hair from my forehead.

“Working hard or hardly working, boy?”

I roll my eyes. “This is… this is complete bullshit.”

His brows jump into his hairline as he crosses his arms in front of his chest. “You think Patty should have to do all this on her own?”

I gape at him. “Seriously, Grant? No. I’m talking about this whole thing. You know,” I say, motioning between us with a floppy hand. He looks around like he’s making sure no one can hear me.

He takes half a step closer. “We agreed. Just the one time. You know that.” But even as he speaks, his eyes roam over me with barely shielded lust. I can see it bright as day.

I take two steps closer to him and lick my lips, letting them catch on my teeth. “Why shouldn’t we just keep going, though, Daddy?” I ask, dropping my voice low and soft. “We’re going to be trapped in the house together for the next couple of days. How do you plan to ignore me then?”

His nostrils flare as he takes his cap off and brushes his hair back. I smirk even though I know this is ridiculous. The longer this goes on, the harder it will be for me to walk away when the time comes. I can already feel it aching deep in my chest.

“Hey, boys!” Patty croons, out of breath as she ambles around the side of the house. We both turn to look at her at the same time.

I smile widely. “I’m almost done with the shutters, and it seems like Grant’s done with the yard.” I’ve gotten a bit more friendly with her since she does frequent the bar, usually serving up the most gossip about the goings-on at her store. Turns out, you can find out anything and everything about people by working our two jobs.

She grabs my shoulder firmly, jostling me around a bit. It never fails to surprise me how strong she is for her slight, frail appearance. “Thanks so much, y’all. I’ll go throw the casserole in the oven. Come in as soon as you're done.” She has a thick southern drawl—a lot of folks around here do, I suppose.

As she walks back to the front of the house, she calls out, “Do you boys want me to bring out some sweet tea?”

“No, ma’am. We’ll be in soon,” Grant says.

“Do you think she heard?” I whisper, alarm bells ringing.

He nods his head and scoffs. “We’re lucky she announced herself when she did.”

“Shit. Well… she didn’t seem to think anything of it, at least.”

His mood is grim as he takes the lead with the shutters—sliding them onto the anchors efficiently, climbing up and down the ladder with practiced ease. It’s all very attractive, just like everything else he does. I bet he could even make brushing his teeth look painfully hot.

Jesus fucking Christ, he makes me stupid.

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