Page 34 of A Second Chance

“Anderson,” Nick answered his silent question.

“I went on a hike for wounded vets.” He was tired of explaining himself. But this guy would be the one telling Avery yes or no on his suitability for Gwen. That’s what this was, Avery saw the opportunity to throw him to her cop boyfriend for vetting.

“You didn’t tell anyone beforehand?”

“Yeah, well, I screwed up, and was thoroughly chastised over it.”

“Sure,” he said, not sounding convinced. “What are your intentions with Gwen?”

Intentions? “Dude, we met up at The Harvest Festival, I brought her home, and now here we are.”

“Nick,” Gwen’s voice came from the stairwell as she rounded the landing her footfalls hitting the steps hard. “Stop interrogating him.” Avery came bounding down after Gwen trying to stop her sister.

“We were just having a friendly conversation, right?” Nick shot him a look.

Jason was on his feet and intercepted an irate Gwen heading right for Nick. “It’s okay,” he said, putting his hands on her shoulders and looking into those blue eyes blazing with fury.

“It’s not okay. I had no idea what they were up to…”

“No, we’re just having a friendly conversation,” Jason mimicked Nick’s words sliding his arms around Gwen and pulling her tight. “And getting to know each other.” He could take care of himself – after all he’d been to war, so verbal sparring with Nick Collins was nothing.

“Are you sure?” she peered up at him, full of concern.

“Yes, no worries.” He glimpsed Avery standing there, wide-eyed staring at them. But he returned his attention to the woman leaning on his chest. “You want to sit?”

She nodded, but instead of going to the living room, she grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the stairs. “We’re going to talk,alone,” she announced.

Jason followed Gwen like a helpless puppy up the stairs and to her room. She locked the door behind them. The darkened room left him unable to discern the details of its contents.

“I’m sorry about that,” she started.

“You don’t have to apologize,” he took both of her hands. “You didn’t do anything.”

“I still can’t believe…” Gwen chewed her bottom lip, and he wished that was where his lips were.

“It’s not a big deal. I don’t blame them. Look, there are a lot of rumors about me around town, and Nick knows Weasel. I’d have been more surprised if he’d said nothing.”

She released his hands and moved to the bed and sat on the edge. “I guess…”

“You didn’t tell them about our… previous encounter, did you?”

“No,” she whispered, looking down. “I told no one.”

He crossed the room and hit his knees in front of her. “I’m so sorry.”

“There’s no need to keep apologizing,” she replied, running her hands over his shoulders. “Sit next to me.”

He did as she asked, the mattress edge sinking under his weight. How could he make up for the hurt he caused? Jason rubbed her back, sliding a palm that stretched almost the width of her.

“I never told Avery because I’m the one who takes care of everything around here. I didn’t need her worried about anything.”

And she wanted to keep humiliation close to the vest. He read in what she didn’t say. “You are tense,” he said, squeezing her shoulder, pressing a thumb into a knotted muscle. She gasped. “We just had a fun night and you won at bingo, pissing off every old woman in town.”

She laughed, throwing her head back. “I know. I’ve never had so many evil looks at one time. Avery works at the metaphysical store on the square. I may need to get a protection amulet from her.”

“That might be a good idea,” he replied. “I’m not sure if that’s the cursing you got.”

Gwen giggled and stood. Jason discovered he enjoyed watching her in a relaxed state. “Let’s see what I won,” she said. The room illuminated with the lamp next to the bed. The gift basket still wrapped in cellophane and tied with a gold and orange bow sat on a dresser. In the light he could see the walls were a soft gray, the bedspread a deep purple and the furniture an understated dark wood. The room was small, but tidy.

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