Chapter Eight
"Oh my god, please tell me we're almost done." I fan myself for the millionth time, huffing and puffing my way through holding the wire for Nelson to measure and cut. "I no longer wish to have my city-boy-to-country moment. It sucks."
"Shut up, you're enjoying it." Nelson's tone is playful, but also doesn't leave any room for argument. His eyes meet mine for a split second and I can't stop the smile that takes over the lower half of my face.
"Fuck you." That gets a laugh out of Nelson and I join him because despite the blazing sun, the three hours of work we've been doing, and the smell of cow manure that has infiltrated every atom of my respiratory system, I am enjoying my time here.
The work is physical and a lot more than I expected for mending a fence, but I can look back and see our progress and it's nice seeing something physical that I helped with.
"You're going to hate me when I tell you this." Nelson finishes cutting the wire and wipes his forearm across his brow to clear the sweat. "But this will most likely be torn down before the end of the year. The cattle will be sold in September anyway. Most of them, at least."
"What? That's… Why?" I lift the bottom of the shirt Nelson loaned me and wipe my face. I'm sweaty all over; I'm definitely going to need a good, long shower after this.
"My brother sold the farm, remember? The whole reason I'm taking your class." I drop the shirt and catch Nelson's eyes on my stomach.
I'm proud of my body. My abs aren't super defined, but they are visible and I do my best to keep the physique up. I give him a smirk before dropping the shirt and answering him. "I remember that," I say. "Most people take my class just as a stepping stone for the higher level classes."
"I wouldn't have taken it if it wasn't for the fact it's been too long since I graduated that the credits from back then don't count anymore. I had to get at least three credits to apply for the certification I need."
"Just using me like everyone else, then." I nod like I'm accepting my fate. I place a hand over my heart and give a fake sniffle. "It's fine. I'm used to being used."
"You're dramatic, you know that?" Nelson shakes the wire that is still in both of our hands. "Let's get this finished, then we just have the other two a few yards down and we'll call it a day."
"Have you ever seen the movie Holes?" I ask as I position myself to hold the wire as taut as I can while Nelson nails it to the post. "That part where the kid is like, 'I'm tired of this, Grandpa'. That's me right now."
"Are you calling me a grandpa?" Nelson sounds offended and I look from his hands to his face. His lips are slightly parted and his expression is hilarious. I beam a smile his way.
"I'm obviously the kid in this situation. You can take that how you want."
"I've never seen the movie so I'll have to hold judgements."
"What? Oh, it's such a good movie. You have to watch it."
"Will you hold the wire still, please?" Nelson asks, nodding toward my hands where I'm definitely not holding it like he showed me. "And I'll see if I can find it tonight to watch."
"You'll have to let me know what you think of it," I say excitedly. That movie came out when I was young but it's one that I'll rewatch on occasion.
"Or you could stay and watch it with me? If you want to."
"Dinner and a movie all in one night?" I feign surprise and Nelson just rolls his eyes. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you're trying to get me to spend the night."
"Says the one that wanted to hook up in the bathroom," Nelson retorts and I can feel my face flush with heat for a whole other reason.
"Not my finest moment," I admit. "I get… Handsy when I drink."
"Handsy, huh? Is that what the kids are calling it these days?" He lets out a grunt and I can see his face change to one of concentration as he fixes the wire how it needs to be. I don't want to stop our bantering though.
"Do you want me to finish helping you?" I threaten, letting the wire slack the tiniest bit. He looks over at me with an 'I dare you' look. I pull the wire tight again immediately.
"Are you just going to hitch hike back to the city? I drove you here, remember?"
"I would like to marry your shower," I announce when I step out of the bathroom. My whole body is relaxed and even though I can feel the small sting of a sunburn, I have a clear tan line from where the shirt covered me. I definitely admired myself in the bathroom mirror before getting dressed.
Nelson is standing in the kitchen, putting leftovers in the fridge from dinner.
His sister-in-law made what I would call a typical southern meal with fried chicken, potatoes, veggies, and even a pie for dessert.
I tried to limit myself, but I haven't had a home cooked meal like that in years.
Nelson had brought it from their house so we could eat without him having to introduce me to his family.
I appreciated that, even if I didn't mind meeting them.
I'm sure there would have been plenty of questions to answer about how we know each other.
I still have the towel around my neck and use one side of it to run through my hair.
"I splurged on the showerhead. It's supposed to increase the water pressure by three or four times. It filters the well water also."
"Five stars from me," I say. I sit at the table and track Nelson's movements around the kitchen. He's bigger than me, taller and broader, but he loaned me a new shirt and a pair of sweat pants that have a drawstring to keep them around my waist. "Do you need help with anything?"
"No, I'm good. I wrapped you up a plate you can take with you… tomorrow?" I can hear the hesitation in his voice with that final word. I smile, not sure where I stand with leaving tonight or tomorrow either.
"We'll see if either of us fall asleep during the movie," I say. "I don't have to be anywhere tomorrow, so it's okay if I don't make it home tonight."
I realize that that makes it sound like I'm inviting myself to stay over and possibly even hoping for something to happen.
I don't know how to reword it. Nelson seems to catch the growing tension and moves across the room toward the living room.
"I'll get the movie pulled up. There are blankets in the linen closet beside the bathroom door if you want to grab one. "
I stand up and move back toward the bathroom.
The house is nice, well loved and lived in clearly.
There are pictures of smiling people and candid photos of kids playing.
Knick knacks sit on shelves and the appliances are worn, not brand new chrome.
It reminds me of my friends' houses growing up in the early two-thousands.
My family's condo was never like this. It was professionally decorated and always had the latest gadgets.
"I brought you a blanket as well," I say as I move back to the living room. "I didn't know if you needed one or not."
"Mmm." He leans his head back and smiles at me. He does look tired already. It's only seven in the evening, but I've done more physical work today than I have in a very long time, if ever, so I'm feeling the same way. "Thank you."
I sit beside Nelson, a solid bit of space between us.
I feel like this should be more awkward than it is, with me being his professor and all, but I've enjoyed my day.
Plus, we're about to watch my favorite movie.
I look over at Nelson and smile when he hits play.
"I'm probably going to be looking at you randomly to get your reaction, just a heads up. I'll try not to spoil anything."
"You're going to be worse than my nephew, aren't you? He loves to tell me when he loves the next scene or tells me when I need to remember a detail for later on."
"I'll keep my mouth shut," I promise. I mime zipping my lips and nod as the Disney logo sound fills the room. "Oh you have surround sound? Even better!"
"No talking, huh?" Nelson turns his head to look at me and gives a smirk. I fight the urge to reach out and smack his shoulder.
"I won't talk about the movie," I grumble.
Our conversation dies down as the movie starts. I do glance over every couple minutes to make sure Nelson is still watching. We're about forty minutes in when he pipes up. "Isn't that the guy from those car-robot movies?"
"Transformers? Yeah." I want to shush him because the next scene is an important part to the plot, but I roll my lips inward and refrain from commenting. I hear Nelson chuckle softly and turn to look at him.
"You are fighting for your life over there to not say things. You keep biting your lips and fidgeting."
"Shh," I say in response. I didn't realize I was fidgeting or that he was watching me that much. I don't look away from the TV. "I'm trying to watch the movie."
"I'm having more fun watching you," Nelson says. That does get my attention.
"You're going to miss the good part if you don't watch."
"Ah, nope. You just ruined it. You told me something happens." He actually pauses the movie and I turn to look at him, shocked. "I can't watch it now."
"That's bullshit," I say. We're so close to the climax of the movie and I want to finish it. I glance to the TV and back to Nelson. "Please?"
There's a pause before he sighs. "Only because you're pulling out those puppy eyes."
Despite winning this round, five minutes later I can feel my eyes drooping. I jerk awake twice before I feel Nelson's hand wrap around my upper arm. He pulls me closer to him and I rest my head on his shoulder.
Before I know it, I'm blinking my eyes open to a darkened room.
The movie is long since over and the screen shows the home tab.
I hear a small noise beside me and lift my chin toward it.
Nelson is also asleep and snoring softly.
I move carefully to sit up and let out a silent yawn, stretching my arms over my head.
My eyes find Nelson in the dim lighting and I take in how serene he looks when he's sleeping.
He must sense me admiring him or felt me shift on the couch because his eyes flutter open and meet mine. We share a soft smile as he sits up.
"I don't remember falling asleep," he says. His eyes look to the TV. "I'll have to finish it another day."
"I fell asleep almost immediately after laying on your shoulder."
Nelson clicks the screen on his phone awake and I see that it's after ten now. We really did sleep for a good while. "Let's move to the bed. My back is not going to like me if I stay on this couch all night."
I smile when Nelson holds his hand out to help me stand up.
He doesn't drop it either as we make our way through the house and he pulls me into his bedroom.
The room is just as dark as the rest of the house, but he flicks on a lamp beside his bed and turns to crack open a window.
The room is filled with sounds of nature, much louder than any noise machine I've used.
"Is that okay?" Nelson asks. "I tend to sleep better with the noises."
"Perfect," I say. I don't know what creatures are outside the window making the constant noise, but I'm grateful I don't have to explain my need for light and noise tonight.
Without another word, we slip under the comforter and meet each other in the middle.
We're facing each other, close enough to share a breath.
It never occurred to me to ask him his preference until right now.
Someone like him I'm sure is more comfortable with being the big spoon and top.
I'm vers so it doesn't really matter to me.
Just as I start to turn around to face away from him, he reaches out and stops me.
"I'm actually…" He hesitates and I'm about to slip out of the bed altogether, thinking he isn't comfortable with this. "I prefer to be the little spoon, if you don't mind."
"Not at all," I say with a smile. "Turn around and let's get some sleep."
I settle down with my arm wrapped around his body. He's warm and I bury my nose in the space where his body meets his pillow. His skin smells just like the woodsy shower gel he has in his shower and I fall asleep quickly.