Chapter 12
Owen
“I’m so nervous.”
Francie sighs from behind the circulation desk. “It’s a book club, Owen. People will come, litter the library, and then sit in a circle and talk about a mediocre book.”
“It’s not that mediocre.” Though he never bothered finishing it—he just knows that many others loved it, and he wanted to choose something with a broader appeal.
“You’ve got Shelby to do the hosting, right?”
“Yeah, she said she did it before when she lived in New York.”
“Oh, did she mention she used to live in New York? First I’m hearing about it.”
Owen laughs. “Yeah, she does bring it up a lot.”
At around five o’clock, people start to arrive. Shelby is the first one, complimenting them on how nicely they arranged the place, then suggesting how they should change everything.
Three women come next, all regulars. They’ve dressed up nicely, which Owen appreciates.
He, too, bought a new button-down shirt with a front pocket he’s never going to use.
His neat pants are black and ironed, and his leather shoes are uncomfortable but help complete his sharp look.
His aunt even took a photo of him before he left to send to his parents.
The next four to arrive are people Owen recognizes from town, but he’s never seen them in the library, which doesn’t say much since he’s still new.
He’s happy to see that everyone knows each other, and they easily slip into conversations while eating the food at the side of the library.
Francie eyes them like a hawk, but Owen appreciates her support in all of this.
Three more people arrive by the time they should start with the book club. Shelby claps her hands to get everyone’s attention, telling them to take their seats.
“Who are you waiting for?” Francie asks him.
“What? No one.”
“Well, you’ve been looking at the door like there’s someone specific you’re expecting.”
“There isn’t.” He hasn’t spoken with Will in the last two days, and it’s not like Will has promised to bring his sister over. Maybe she isn’t feeling well enough. But he did hope that Will himself might stop by to offer his support.
It’s just a little book club. I don’t need support.
While everyone sits in a circle, Shelby remains standing in her long black dress. “Thank you all for joining the first-ever Van Buren Library book club! Let’s start by giving a round of applause to our handsome librarian who set it all up. He also made those beautiful posters all over town.”
Owen bows his head at the round of applause. Maybe he did go a bit overboard with those posters, but he enjoyed making them so much.
Shelby clears her throat. “Now, before we start, let’s have a quick round of introductions. I’ll go first—oh, we have more company.”
Owen turns to look at the entrance, his lips stretching into a wide smile.
“Are we too late?” asks a young woman in a wheelchair.
There’s a white bandana around her head and a mask around her nose and mouth, but Owen can still tell she’s beautiful.
Her eyes are green and striking like her brother’s, who’s standing behind her with his hands gripping the handles of the wheelchair.
“Julie, my dear girl! Now this event is even more special!” Shelby calls. “We haven’t started yet. Come, hmm, wheel yourself over. There’s enough room.”
“I can walk.” She slowly moves to stand, brushing Will off when he tries to help her. “I’m fine, Will. It’s just a few steps.” Before she reaches the group, she stops and faces Owen. “I heard a lot about you.”
He swallows, still surprised that she thought this was important enough to be worth the effort. “Good things, I hope.”
She winks. “Of course.”
The room is quiet as Julie carefully sits. She lets out a long breath and says, “Hello, everyone.”
Shelby continues with the round of introductions, and Owen walks over to Will. He opens his mouth to thank him for coming, but at the sight of the bump on his forehead and the scratches on his cheek, he asks instead, “What happened to you?”
Will shrugs, but his eyes shift aside for a moment, making it clear he’s about to lie. “A little work accident. You should have seen the tree.”
Is the tree named Nate?
He doesn’t want to put Will on the spot, though it’s clear that something bad has been happening. “Thank you for coming. I hoped you would.”
Will smiles. “Wouldn’t miss it. I hope you don’t mind, but I took one of your posters home.”
Mind? “Well, you are the face of the whole campaign.”
Will chuckles quietly. “Maybe a non-reader shouldn’t be the face of a book club.”
“Hey, whatever sells. There’s still some food left if you want.”
“Good, I’m starving.” He slides off his coat. His blue flannel shirt should have been one size bigger with how tightly it wraps around his chest, but Owen isn’t about to complain.
Will goes to the buffet table, which is surprisingly clean after all the eating. Did Francie warn people in advance?
The group discusses the writing style of the book, and some complain of too many descriptions of nature and whatnot—which Owen agrees with.
That was the main reason he didn’t enjoy the book.
They move on to discuss the main character and whether or not she has truly grown throughout the story, and if so, was it enough to be worth the lengthy read?
Julie is the first to answer the question. She’s clearly struggling to speak at length, but every one of her words is to the point. She’s articulate and sharp, looking around for eye contact with each of the participants. They all watch her intently, hanging on her every word.
Owen turns his head to search for Will. He’s standing quietly by the corner with his hand covering his mouth as he silently cries.
Owen stares in surprise, but he gets it. When was the last time Will saw his dying sister at a social event, shining so brightly?
Will seems to catch himself. He shakes his head and walks deeper into the library, disappearing down an aisle. Owen takes a few tissues from the counter and quietly walks past the group and into the aisle, finding Will standing with his back to him. His head is bowed, so he might still be crying.
Maybe I should leave him be? But his legs carry him forward. “Will? Are you okay?”
Will moves his head, but it’s not clear if it’s a yes or a no.
Owen walks closer and stops behind him. “Hmm, do you want to be left alone?”
“She’s incredible,” Will says quietly. “I sometimes forget what she could have been if things weren’t so unfair.”
“She has your eyes,” Owen says, though it’s a strange thing to point out now. “I mean—”
Will turns around, his green eyes red from tears. He grabs Owen’s head and pulls him closer.
Are those…? Yes, those are lips.
Once his brain catches up with his mouth, Owen sighs hungrily and parts his lips to welcome Will’s tongue.
He’s not sure if this is really happening, but he’s not going to question it.
They both try to keep it quiet, but it’s getting harder when Owen presses Will against the shelf and grinds against him.
They both jump at the sudden sound of impact. Will dropped one of the books with his shoulder, and now the library has gone quiet.
“Sorry!” Owen calls. “We dropped a book. Hmm, carry on, please.”
Luckily, the conversation continues in the background.
Will seems flushed. “I’m sorry. I should have asked for your permission.”
“Let’s pretend that you did.”
Will smiles and wipes his eyes. “I don’t want to get you into trouble.”
“We dropped a book—not a bomb.” But he thinks he understands. Those people sitting close by won’t take kindly to having two men making out during a book club—or perhaps in general.
“When?” Owen asks quietly, still standing inches from Will’s face.
“When?”
“When can we do this properly?” He holds Will’s gaze, hoping he’s able to convey how serious he is.
Will licks his lips. There’s hesitation in his eyes, but he seems to push it away. “Tonight? After the book club.”
Owen has worked hard on making this event a success, but he’s seriously debating shouting, Fire! and putting a stop to it right now. He takes a breath and nods. “I’ll need to clean up while you take Julie back, then we can meet… where?”
Please say your house.
“I’ll come pick you up. Are you okay going back to my place?”
“Your place? Yeah, I think it’s fine.” He glances back to make sure the coast is clear, then he kisses Will again. “Best book club ever.”
Will shakes his head. “Nerd.”
*
When he started planning his book club, Owen worried people wouldn’t have enough to talk about, resulting in awkward moments of silence that would lead to an early closure of the event. His worries have been put to rest, because the people in this book club don’t want to stop talking.
Earlier, Julie apologized and said she needed her rest. She turned to Owen when everyone was watching and made him promise to set up another event in two weeks. He sheepishly nodded under so many gazes.
“Should we ask them to leave?” Owen whispers to Francie. “It should be over by now.”
“They’re having fun. You got any plans?” She eyes him suspiciously.
He shrugs, his cheeks warming because he feels she can sense something. “Nothing special.”
She crosses her arms. “Well, I suppose I can stay here alone to clean up once it’s over, but since you don’t have anything special planned with a certain William Thomas, there’s no need for me to do that.”
Now his cheeks are plain hot. “There’s nothing between us. I think.” He sighs. “I don’t want people gossiping. Were we obvious?”
“No, but I’ve seen how you perk up whenever you see him.
” She clears her throat. “Will… has a history around here. It’s not for me to elaborate, but you should be careful, Owen.
” She meets his gaze, worry in her eyes.
He knows it has less to do with them being two gay men in a small town and more to do with what Nate had told him.
“Will isn’t a bad person,” he says, trying not to sound angry.