Chapter 8
CHASE
“Imade dinner. It’s not much, just chicken and rice.
” I’m not a bad cook, but I’ve never really cooked for anyone else.
When we were together, Kelley did most of the cooking around our house.
That was more practical than anything else.
My hours weren’t predictable, so if we wanted food on the table before ten, she had to do it.
Back in my bachelor days, I lived on simple meals meant to meet all the requirements of my diet. They weren’t great, but they did the job.
“You really didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to.” We stand in the kitchen, the small runner between us.
I’ve been staring at the damn thing every morning since I got here.
It’s a bunch of books on a shelf. I haven’t read a single one of them, but I recognize them as the ones I was supposed to read in school.
It’s one of the few things here that fits with Nix’s personality.
Everything else is so bland it’s hard to believe he picked any of it.
“Well, then, thank you. I don’t remember the last time someone cooked for me. Restaurants don’t count.”
At least we agree on that part. “Sit. I’ll bring it to you.”
“Chase, you really don’t have to. You’re the guest.”
“Sit,” I demand, but in a nice voice. Nix is the kindest person I’ve ever met. Giving me his rental property—no charge—provides me with food, a job, and friendship. Dinner is literally the least I can do.
“Did you talk to the plumber?” I ask to break the silence while I plate our food.
Probably the worst thing I could bring up, but I get anxious in the quiet spaces between us.
There’s something here I can’t put my finger on.
Normally, I’m happy to sit in complete silence for hours on end.
Now? Any lull in conversation needs to be filled.
Except I’m out of good somethings and down to the dregs.
“Yeah, he can start work tomorrow.” He groans, and there’s a thump when his head hits the table. “It’s going to take at least a week before I can be back in the place and another month or two before everything’s done.”
“That sucks. I swear houses are always falling apart.” I’ve never owned anything old. A newish condo, then a new-construction home. They still had problems. From the looks of Nix’s place, I’m guessing it was built about a hundred years ago.
“My great-aunt loved that house. I think it’s half the reason she never wanted to leave the town.
” He picks his head up and smiles softly.
“That place is filled with so much of her personality. I’ve changed a few things, but I left most of it.
I don’t know why, but I think she’d hate it if I came in and changed things too much. ”
“It’s probably why she wanted you to have it. She knew you’d be a good steward of it into the future.”
“Yeah, well, we all see how that worked out.”
“Don’t.” I bring the plates over to the table and sit down across from Nix. “The house is old. This would’ve happened no matter who owned it. The important thing is that you’re getting it taken care of now.”
“I knew the house was old, obviously, when I inherited it. I don’t think I fully appreciated what that meant until recently.
” He picks up his fork and digs in like he hasn’t eaten all day.
Then again, maybe he hasn’t. There was the cinnamon roll I brought him, but I didn’t see him with anything else.
That’s something I can help with around here.
Making sure Nix takes breaks to eat and drink.
It’s not much, especially compared to what he does for me, but it’s something.
“Yeah, it definitely increases the amount of time and money you spend maintaining it. But I bet it has a ton of character.” I got a glimpse inside when I visited today.
The place is impressive, gorgeous wood and built-ins everywhere.
It’s the kind of home I dreamed of owning as a teenager, long before I understood the price tag that came with it.
My own place hadn’t come cheap, but it was new construction. The floors weren’t real wood or anything, but it’d been nice enough for me to feel comfortable inviting work clients over for the occasional dinner party.
“It’s my favorite place. Always has been.
I used to spend summers here, way back when I was in elementary school.
Usually at least a month, sometimes more.
I’d get to come up to Sleighbell Springs and spend time with Aunt May.
” He gets this far-off, wistful expression on his face.
“It was always my favorite part of the year. Time went by differently here. It’s like I wasn’t only on vacation, but I got a vacation. From all the parts of my life.”
There’s a given peace at the end of that. A lump forms in my throat. Some of this I’ve heard from Russ. However, I wasn’t paying close attention. The curse of being a teenager. Anything that didn’t personally affect me disappeared into the background.
“It’s a great house. You’ll see. Once all the work is done, it’ll be even better.”
“You think so? Really?” He sets his fork on his plate and leans in. If only I had more to offer him. There’s little I can do other than provide some reassurance.
“I do.” At least I hope. After making that kind of promise to him, I’d hate to be wrong.
While we eat, Nix tells me all about the various customers who came through the store today. I always thought those TV shows and movies about small towns played up the drama and kookiness for ratings. From what I’m hearing, they actually ratcheted it down to make it believable.
“So, now I’m sold out of the second and third book in the series, but have plenty of the first and fourth.
” He sighs. “I’ll order more, but in the meantime, I hope no one’s working their way through.
I’d hate to tell someone who just got to the cliffhanger at the end of the first book that they’ll have to wait a week to find out what happens next. ”
Couldn’t they just get the e-book? I almost ask the question aloud but think better of it.
Personally, on the rare occasions when I read something that’s not on my computer, my iPad works perfectly fine.
Having a bunch of hard copies of books lying around would be inconvenient. Plus, it’s very heavy to move.
“Since you cooked, I’ll do the dishes.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m going to put them in the dishwasher anyway.” It’s a small one, tucked away in a drawer, perfectly suited to a place like this, but it doesn’t hold more than a day’s worth of dishes.
“I can help.”
Nix swipes his plate off the table before I can get to it and takes it to the sink.
This is one battle I’m not going to win.
Side-by-side, we rinse the dishes so they’re ready to go in the dishwasher.
Since I clean while I cook, it only takes us a few minutes to get everything squared away for the night.
“I don’t know what your schedule’s like, but I usually read for a little while after dinner and then go to bed.
I’m an early riser, which means going to sleep early.
” He winces like he expects me to say something bad about his habits.
Whoever gave him a hard time over something like that had better look over their shoulder.
If I ever meet them, we’re going to have words.
“Works for me. Except for the reading part. I’ll watch something on my computer, but I have headphones, so it won’t bother you.” At least I hope not.
After we take turns using the bathroom and changing into our pajamas, we settle in on the couch in the small living area.
Nix pulls a book that’s definitely seen better days from his bag, obviously a favorite given that it looks like it’s been read at least a dozen times. “Are you re-reading something?”
“Yep.” He makes himself cozy, propping himself up against the arm of the couch while bending his knees to make himself small. It’s unnecessary given that there’s plenty of space for both of us.
“But you already know what happens?” I wrinkle my nose. That book is long, too. There are way too many pages there for me to consider reading it once, let alone multiple times.
“So?”
I don’t have a good argument, so I pull up Netflix, pick the next episode of my favorite show, and connect my headphones via Bluetooth.
It’s only a few minutes before the hair on the back of my neck stands up straight. I turn to find Nix staring at me. “Is something wrong?” I ask, pulling my headphones off to hear him.
“Didn’t that show stop airing in like 2012?”
“Yeah?” I look back at the screen. It doesn’t feel like that long ago, but now that he mentions it.
“And you didn’t watch it until now?”
I can sense the trap I’m about to walk into, but I take the bait anyway. “I watched it when it was on TV, but it’s my favorite. I rewatch it at least once a year.” That’s a lie. I’m almost always at some stage of re-watching it.
“But you already know what happens?”
Yep, I deserve that one. “Good point. I get it.”
The smug little expression on his face should piss me off, but instead, it makes me smile.
It’s good to see him happy after he’s been pouting all day over his house.
If what it takes to make him grin is besting me in a verbal sparring match, then I might just start letting him win.
Not all the time—I have to make it believable—but sometimes.
NIX
It’s the sign of a good book that I’ve completely lost track of time. Which is why the next time I look up, it’s way past my bedtime.
“Shit.”
Chase jumps at my outburst. “What’s wrong?” He yanks his headphones off his head and stands up. “Are you okay?”
“Sorry.” I duck my head, a bit ashamed of how loud I yelled. “I just realized what time it is. Time for me to turn in for the night.”
“Okay. Let’s go.”