Chapter 14 #2
Our gazes catch as I look up, and linger for a beat too long. He clears his throat, sitting up. We finish our beers without another word, in a limbo we haven’t been in before. I don’t share details about my family with almost anyone, and judging by his demeanor, neither does Miles.
But, this isn’t the Miles I’ve gotten used to. This is a much softer version than the hard edges in his usual demeanor with me. Not Old Miles either, with his laughter and lightness about him. A different version altogether.
One I thought I’d never see.
“The good news is, the fence is done. I just finished the last section before I came in. Hopefully that’ll hold a lot better than the one before.”
“Oh. That’s great. Awesome.” My stomach drops a bit. I didn’t realize he was so close to being finished with the entire fence. I guess I won’t be seeing him around the cabin anymore.
“Yeah,” he says so quietly it’s almost a whisper. “I guess I better leave you to it. Sorry for rushing in here.”
“No worries,” I wave him off. “Just a weird day all around.”
“I guess so.” The corners of his mouth turning upwards just enough a regular person wouldn’t think it’s a smile. I know better.
He tucks in the chair and walks around the inside of the kitchen instead of straight towards the door. Right by the–
“Oh, watch out there’s a–” I try to warn Miles, but I’m interrupted by a grunt as his foot falls directly in the floor hole I haven’t been able to repair. “Hole,” I finish, too late.
“What the hell?” Miles turns to look at me, half in the floor. “What happened here?”
I try not to laugh, but a smile escapes onto my mouth. “Earlier this week, I sort of fell through the floor. It’s okay, though, the crew will be back to fix it in a couple of weeks.”
“You sort of fell through the floor?” He gapes, staring at me in shock. “A couple of weeks?”
“Yeah, it’s really not that big of a deal, we expect this with old homes. Probably just rotted in a spot, or termites. Hopefully not termites,” I shrug.
“Termites?” Miles repeats.
He pulls his foot out of the floor, stepping carefully around the hole. His left boot and pant leg are covered in splinters of wood.
“You can’t just work here with the floors crumbling beneath your feet,” Miles says decisively.
“I don’t really have a choice. My crew is at another job for two weeks, and I don’t feel comfortable fixing hardwood floors and doing a good job. I’ve never done it before. Things have to get done, I’m on a deadline. I’ll step around the hole.”
“What if another hole appears? What if you break your leg?” He demands, arms crossed. The Miles I’m used to is back. Grumpy and worked up about something that isn’t a big deal.
“I’m not going to break a leg. Really, Autry, I’m all good. Sorry you fell into the floor.” I throw my bag over my shoulder, heading towards the back door to lock up. Miles follows close behind, annoyance radiating off of him like heat.
“You can’t be serious. If you don’t have anyone to fix the floors, I’m coming over to start on it tomorrow. It’s unacceptable to work somewhere that is rotting out from under you.”
His eyes pin mine in place, fire burning in his gaze.
“Like hell you are. You can’t just keep fixing shit around here, you have a real job. I bought this cabin as is.” My voice raises. He’s so stubborn, it kills me.
“I’ve put new flooring in my parents house and the bunk house at the barn.
It’s easy. You clearly should have had an inspector before you bought the cabin, these things would have already been fixed.
” He stands, immovable, just inside the door.
If I don’t agree to this insanity, he might never leave.
“We bought the cabin knowing we wanted to fix it up. It comes with the territory.”
“Just let me fix the floors. It’ll make me feel better about my dad selling you a half broken cabin. Please.” The look in his eyes is so sincere. I haven’t seen that from him in a long time. I can’t even remember if I’ve ever heard him say the word please.
“Okay. Whatever. You can fix my floor,” I concede.
“Good,” his gaze remains hard and unrelenting, keeping me in place.
“Sure,” I whisper.
Miles pushes past me, heading out towards his truck on the side of the house. By the time I lock the back door and walk around to the driveway, he’s heading down the road.
A smile creeps onto my face as I stare out into the twilight sky. I have to admit, I was a little sad when he finished the fence. As annoying as he can be, it’s fun to spar with him every once in a while. And now, I won’t be completely alone for the next two weeks.
Oh shit. Miles and I are going to be in the house alone for the next two weeks.
I didn’t think about that when I agreed to this. This could go down in burning flames, for better or for worse.
My mind wanders to the pain in his eyes tonight. Another crack in his shield, this one bigger than any before. One step closer to… I’m not sure. Being friends?
I laugh to myself. I couldn’t really see ever calling Miles my friend. But, who knows? Maybe we could be a little closer to that. Better than just civil.
Maybe it won’t be so bad after all.