Chapter 7 #2
“We hadn’t gotten around to a full renovation of Higdon Hall yet.
That was going to be next year, but we do have two vacant apartments downstairs.
The upper floors are used for student housing and there are RAs assigned on those levels.
The second floor is for visitors, but the first floor has the head resident’s place and two additional units with kitchenettes and private baths. It’s not as nice—”
“I’m sure it will be fine.”
Joe might have come off as a diva on Dance Machine , but he didn’t want Leslie or any of the Paytons to think of him that way. He’d made the choice to make this move, and he was determined to be a team player.
“You sure? I—thank you for understanding,” Barry said, relief evident as his shoulders lowered. “Leslie will show you the units. You can pick which one you’d like and we can get maintenance in to clean—”
“It’s fine. I can take care of cleaning. I know you have much bigger issues to deal with.”
Everyone looked at him in surprise. What, like he didn’t know how to use a mop?
“Thank you, Joe. I really appreciate it. Let us know if there’s anything you need or if anything isn’t in working order.”
There was an awkward silence and then everyone launched into action. Barry and the twins left in a golf cart, Marti and Terrence each grabbed a couple of Joe’s bags, and Joe and Les stood staring at each other.
“You’re really here,” Leslie breathed almost as if he didn’t intend for Joe to hear him. “Thank you. For being so understanding. Barry was very worried. He knows what you are giving up to be here.”
“Giving up? Oh, you mean the tour. Yeah, it’s not a huge deal.
” It most certainly is . Going out on tour with Lady Gaga was definitely a big deal, but Joe wasn’t sure his body could handle the grueling schedule.
It was better that he focus on other endeavors before everyone else knew that he couldn’t do it anymore.
“Besides, I already agreed to come. A measly tornado wasn’t going to keep me away.
” He gave an exaggerated eye roll that made Leslie laugh.
“Did you want to give us the key?”
Marti and Terrence were back and had grabbed the last of Joe’s things. Time had a way of standing still when Joe was with Leslie and everything else around them went on unnoticed.
Leslie fumbled with the keys while his already ruddy cheeks burned redder.
“I’ve got it, sorry.”
Joe followed him and took a deep breath, trying to hide his anxiety about this change in plans.
Higdon Hall, built in 1899 after the administrative building was finished, hadn’t been used for housing while Joe was a student.
He recalled a Halloween social being held in the dark and creepy lounge on the second floor at one point, but the building hadn’t been needed back then as the population of students had been smaller than at its peak.
He did like all of the old-fashioned dark wood and figured it should be quiet enough.
As he glanced around the large lobby with high ceilings and wood floors, his heart grew considerably lighter. It was a great space. A wide staircase ascended in front of the doors and there was a common room behind it with a large bank of windows.
“The two apartments are down this way,” Les said. “They’re identical in layout so I suppose it would depend on if you want the morning light or you want to be on the side of the student entrance.”
“Maybe not the entrance side?”
Les nodded and turned left halfway down the hall. “It’ll be bright in the mornings. We can order some heavier curtains if you need—”
“I’m sure it will be fine,” Joe said, getting a kick out of Les fussing over him.
“We’re going to take off,” Marti said. “Let me know if you need anything.”
She and Terrence smiled at Joe, but it was obvious they were concerned. Marti sometimes let her supermomming bleed over to Joe and he wasn’t always mad about it. Right now, though, he wanted to be a real grown-up in front of Leslie.
“Thanks,” Joe said, leaning in to kiss her on the cheek and give her a quick hug. “I know that was a long trip in one day.”
Terrence shook his head. “We stayed in KC last night. Not a problem at all. See you soon.”
Joe didn’t miss his knowing smile as they shook hands.
Marti had known that Joe and Les had history, and after he took the job, of course he’d let her in on the true depth of his fixation over a Facetime call his last week in New York.
“Joe,” she’d said with mock seriousness. “I’m your best friend and that’s why I’m putting it to you straight. You know the man wears a mullet?”
Joe had burst out laughing. “And I seem to recall Terrence still wore his Fresh Prince of Bel Air look when we were in school complete with the overall strap hanging down.”
“He did not,” she’d protested, but she’d laughed at the honest truth. “ Okay, his fashion might be dated, but he makes up for it in other ways.”
“And I intend to find out about Leslie Payton’s other ways.” He’d imitated her shocked expression and listened as she lectured him about workplace romances and boundaries blah-blah.
Apparently, she’d filled Terrence in as well.
“See you tomorrow,” Marti said as she tugged on Terrence’s sleeve. Terrence, who continued to smile between Joe and Les.
“Ah, here we are.”
Leslie had been fumbling with a wad of keys during this exchange. He waved to the Simmonses and then unlocked the door so Joe could get a look at his new place.
And he coughed.
“Boy, the dust mites sure are productive here in Ayre Valley.” Joe joked to cover up his terror at the massive dust cloud swirling in the dim light. And were those cobwebs?
“No. No, there’s no way. Look, Joe, I’ve got extra bedrooms. Several. You can stay with me.”
“Les, it’s fine. I’m not afraid of a little elbow grease.” He was afraid of whatever made those cobwebs. And his stomach turned at the possibility of other creatures who might have made this building home.
“But Joe—”
“I can’t stay with you, Leslie. For several reasons.”
They had yet to talk about whatever was going on or would go on or might possibly occur and the weight of that hung heavy between them.
“Just tonight, then. Until I can get a cleaning crew in here.”
“As long as you point me toward some cleaning supplies, I’ve got this. Oh, and I’ll need to grab some groceries—”
“You’ve got full privileges at the Buzz. They’ve got vegetarian options, though I’m not sure what all you can eat on your regimen. Barry wanted me to tell you.”
“Oh. Okay. That will work until I can get to the store.”
“And I can have the terrible two bring over my Lincoln until we go to get you a car. My friend Tim has a dealership in Leonard. I thought we could start there. When you’re ready.”
That was the one thing Joe had asked Les for, help finding a car. He knew Leslie would help him choose the right vehicle for driving in Midwest conditions.
“That’s great, but I know you’re busy helping Barry—”
“Stop it.” Les smiled and shoved his hands in his pockets. “You’re really here.”
“Yeah.” Joe grinned back and then he sneezed.
“Aw geez, Joe—”
“It’s fine! I swear. Let’s see what I’ve got to work with.”
Joe needed a moment to collect himself so he darted around the living space turning on lights and opening drapes. The windows were up higher, which would give him some privacy as Higdon happened to be smack dab in between both dorms and the path to the Buzz went by right outside his window.
“When do the kids arrive?”
Leslie had moved to the kitchen and was pulling open cabinets, sending more puffs of dust into the air.
“Some are here, and the rest are supposed to come throughout the weekend. We might have to push back the start of school by a couple of days to be sure all the debris is cleaned up, but the dorms will be safe enough and the Buzz is ready for them.” He opened a small closet next to the door.
“Aha! Okay, we’ve got surface and glass cleaner and Lysol for the floors and bathroom.
There’s an old mop here; let me go hit up the head resident, and see if he’s got some sponges and rags and we can get to work. ”
Joe stepped in front of him. “ You stop it.” He winked, having fun using Les’s line. “I know you need to get back to Barry. I don’t need to be supervised. I’ll go introduce myself to my new neighbor and borrow a cup of flour or whatever it is you’re supposed to do with Midwest neighbors.”
Leslie let out a huge sigh and let his shoulders fall. “This is not how I wanted to welcome you, Joe. I hate it a lot.”
Joe stepped closer, brushing his chest against Les’s. “How did you want to welcome me?”
Leslie dropped his arms to his sides and shoved his hands in his pockets.
“You know what I want,” Les breathed. “But you made me promise we’d talk first.”
Joe placed a hand on his chest. “I did say that.”
It would be so easy to let go .
“I’m so glad you’re here. I can’t wait—”
“Okay, but you’re gonna have to wait. A bit.” Joe patted Les’s pec and let his hand rest there…longingly. Then he sighed. “Go help Barry. Let me start cleaning so I can get settled in. If you get a break later, call me.”
Les searched his eyes and Joe saw his hands twitching as if he wanted to grab Joe and toss him over his shoulder.
The cave man routine might not be a bad thing with Leslie Payton, as long as Joe was in charge.
Les leaned down and Joe was transfixed by his lips. A kiss would be alright, wouldn’t it? Before they laid out their expectations of how they would work and exist together in a small town where everyone knew everyone and everyone talked—
“Hello? Has my new neighbor arrived?”
Les stepped back reluctantly and his blush warmed Joe down to his toes.
Warm. It was muggy, and Joe hadn’t even noticed. Huh .
“Hey, Matt. This is Joe Judd.”
The big, beefy Iowa-corn-fed white dude bro with his hat on backward trotted forward and shook Joe’s hand.
“That’s awesome. Can’t believe we’ve got not one but two celebrities on campus this year. Excellent.”
“No celebrities here,” Joe said, quick to nip that in the bud. “I’m just Joe. Nice to meet you, Matt. I was about to come find you to introduce myself and see if you had some cleaning supplies I could borrow?”
Matt grinned. “Abso facto. Got keys to the supply closet as well in case industrial strength is what you’re after.” He snapped his gum and Joe forced himself to keep his eyes steady and straight.
“Thank you!”
He turned to Leslie. “I think we’ve got this handled. I’ll check in with you later? ”
He cocked his head to the side and raised his eyebrows to be sure Leslie understood this was not a dismissal but a necessary break.
“We’re talking sooner rather than later,” Les growled close to Joe with his back to Matt. Then he turned, nodded at the kid, and filled up the entry on his way out.
Joe chuckled. “Yes, sir, Coach, sir,” he called after him.
Les snorted as he turned the corner.
“Wow, I can’t believe he’s here,” Matt said. “He’s totally my hero. I feel, like, honored to have shared space with him, you know?”
“I can see that.” He couldn’t even make fun of the kid because he was right.
Being around Les was awe-inspiring, but it was different for Joe.
He didn’t worship Les for his football prowess or his post-NFL career.
He admired the man for his humanity, his optimistic outlook on life.
Okay, and he was incredible to look at, and to touch…
“Cool. So, you known him long?”
“Uh, well we met here at Spring Fling when I was a senior.” He wasn’t about to tell this dude bro that he’d wanted him ever since. Nor would he admit that Leslie Payton had ruined him for all other men before they’d even touched. “We’re acquainted.” There. That should suffice.
“Awesome. So let’s go get you some cleaners. This place hasn’t been used for the two years I’ve been here and while I do inspections once a month to make sure there are no leaks or infestations, no one’s cleaned. Sorry, bruh.”
“No worries.” Joe almost believed his cheerful reply.
This was going to take him a week to get cleaned.
You could be in Leslie’s bed.
No problem. A week. He could do it.