6. Chapter Six
Chapter Six
Tuesday morning, Henry strolled through Cedarwood on his way to the restaurant. He could’ve driven, but why waste a perfectly good sunny day? He appreciated the exercise and the quiet around him. Besides, he’d leave a smaller carbon footprint if he walked and he’d surprise Jack. Double win.
He reached the center of town and headed for Jack’s. When he passed the gazebo, he spotted Charlie coming toward him. He remembered Charlie from the few times he’d ventured into the newspaper offices.
“Hi.” Charlie waved. “Are you busy?”
“I’m on my way to the hot dog shop.” Henry slowed his pace. “What’s up?”
Charlie looked every inch the cub reporter—young, scruffy and hungry for a story, the juicier the better.
He jiggled the notebook in his hand. “You’re seeing Jack?
Or just working for him?” The piercings in his ear caught the light when he waggled his head, and the tattoo was just visible at the edge of the cuff of his T-shirt.
He wasn’t like the cub reporters Henry knew, but whatever.
Times were changing and things that weren’t permissible before were passé now.
“We’re seeing each other and I’m helping out at the restaurant. Why?” He narrowed his eyes. If Charlie wanted gossip, he could go somewhere else.
“He was there yesterday,” Charlie said. “With someone.”
“So? He has to do prep work. Anna probably came in to help.” Henry tucked his hands in his pockets. “Where are you going with this?”
“Was it a special party? You’re dating him. You should know.” Charlie shrugged. “He seemed chummy with the dude.”
“If you’re trying to get information, then stop. I don’t know anything about it.” Henry sidestepped Charlie and walked away.
“Wait.” Charlie hurried up to him. “He hugged the guy and they seemed close.”
“So?” The new information bothered him, but it could be a figment of Charlie’s imagination or something to piss Henry off.
“I heard him say he loved him.”
Henry stopped in his tracks. “Look, I don’t know what was going on. Doesn’t matter. It’s not my problem, so if you don’t need me, my problem is getting to the shop.” He needed to be calmer about the situation and Charlie’s presence made that almost impossible.
Charlie shoved the notebook in his back pocket.
“Okay, so the real reason I went hunting for you is that the paper wants your services. Remy has been talking about having a travel feature and you’re the best person in town to do this.
You’ve gone places and you write about them.
Why not work for the paper? The talk is also going around there should be a column about places in Cedarwood.
Something like a feature about this restaurant or that shop. You’d be perfect.”
The ideas intrigued him, but if Remy wanted him to write the columns, then Remy could ask. “I’ll get in touch with the powers that be.”
“You will?” Charlie held up both hands and sighed. “Thank you. I’ll let Remy know I talked to you.” He didn’t look back as he walked away.
What a strange kid. Henry shook his head, then strolled the rest of the way to the hot dog shop.
The anger from being baited by Charlie hadn’t dissipated, but he couldn’t dwell on what he didn’t know for sure.
He was too old for gossip and saw no reason to waste time arguing.
But he couldn’t shake the uncertainty. He should go right in and talk to Jack.
Except the shop was jumping. Now wasn’t the right time.
Henry hated going somewhere else for lunch, but he wasn’t in the right headspace to see Jack.
Not now. Still, heading elsewhere felt wrong.
Maybe he did have a routine. Wouldn’t his father laugh?
His father used to say he’d get old, have routines and find true irritation when his routines weren’t followed.
Henry ventured over to the food trucks and ordered a tuna salad sandwich and a bottle of water, then settled at one of the picnic tables on the square. He’d never get any writing done at this rate. His mind was too full of Jack.
Christ. This was why he hated relationships. He disliked drama and gossip.
A half an hour to Jack’s usual closing time, Henry screwed up his courage and headed to the shop. He’d overblown the situation in his mind and should get to the bottom of the problem—if there was one.
As he strode up to the door, he noticed the sign. Closed. What the hell? Closed? Already? He didn’t see the additional sold-out sign. He knocked on the door. Was Jack even there?
Anna appeared and opened the door. She waved. “Hey, you. He left early so we closed. Come in.” She ushered him into the dining room. “How are you?”
“I’m good.” He frowned. “He left?”
“He did.” She flipped the lock in place.
“If I don’t do that and someone sees you in here, they’ll think we’re open and forgot to turn the sign.
” She pulled the blind down over the window in the door.
“There was a guy he knew. He knows everyone and I swear, he never gets through a day without a friend or whatever coming through.” She shook her head. “I know. It’s not his usual.”
“I guess not.” Not that he knew what Jack’s usual was… They hadn’t been together long enough for him to. So much for feeling special.
“His old flame, Josh, came by. They chatted, and Jack said he wanted to go. Who knows why? He doesn’t tell me.” She shrugged. “He hears all the gossip and keeps quiet. I knew he’d dated Josh a few times, but I didn’t think he’d leave with him.”
“With him?” Well, shit. “I should go.” He wasn’t sticking around where he wasn’t wanted.
“Whoa. Don’t worry about Jack. He’s your guy.” She held up both hands. “I don’t think there’s anything to him going. Really.”
“Sure.” Still, he should walk away while he still had some dignity and before his emotions got the better of him. “Thanks, Anna.”
“Wait.” She touched his arm, stopping him.
“Jack’s not the type to screw around. He might not have told me what was going on, but I’m sure it’s nothing too terrible.
When his mother died, he said so. When his father remarried, Jack clued me in.
I knew when he broke up with his last three boyfriends and he’s never asked anyone to work for him—not the way he did with you. Trust me and him. Okay?”
“I will.” He forced a smile. “Thanks.”
“Now you can go.” She waved him out of the restaurant and grinned. “I wouldn’t steer you wrong.”
He nodded. She’d reassured him, yet confused and upset him, too. He’d thought he had a good thing with Jack. Thought we have decent communication. He didn’t want to jump to conclusions, but something felt off.
Henry wandered home and his thoughts never ventured far from Jack. He could call, but if there was something important happening, then Jack didn’t need the distraction. When he reached his condo, his shoulders sank and he sighed. Getting upset wasn’t going to help anything.
Screw it. He didn’t know what he didn’t know and couldn’t react to the unknown. When he saw Jack or talked to him next, he’d sort this out.
Jack forked his fingers into his hair and growled.
He’d thought he was helping Josh, but he’d been hornswoggled.
Damn it. Josh had wanted someone to move his furniture—not his father’s and not to help his father move into an assisted living facility.
He gritted his teeth and stared out of the windshield at the parked car in front of his.
He’d lost precious time at the shop and he hadn’t gotten to see Henry.
He had to see his boyfriend. If anyone could brighten his day, it was his man. He’d acted foolish, although his heart had been in the right place when he’d offered to give Josh a hand. Trust Josh to take advantage.
Jack pulled out of the parking spot and drove over to Henry’s housing development.
Henry had said he lived in seven-twelve.
Where in the hell was seven-twelve? He drove around the blocks, looking for Henry’s car.
Most of the condos had some sort of decoration out front—a wreath, special outdoor lighting, or rock formations.
He finally located Henry’s condo, seven-twelve.
The one with the plain and orderly front yard. Jack pulled in and parked.
He left the car and headed right up to Henry’s front door. Before Jack rang the bell, Henry appeared.
“Hi,” Henry said and opened the door. “I never thought you’d be on my stoop.”
“I didn’t expect to come here just now.” He stepped into the condo. He wasn’t sure what he’d imagined Henry’s place would be like, but the sparseness and dark colors weren’t it. “Sorry. Am I interrupting something?”
“No.” Henry gestured to the sofa. “Sit?”
“I don’t tend to go on raw emotion or act carelessly. I should’ve called first.” He paced the length of the living room. “I’m sorry.”
“You’re going to wear a hole in my carpet.” Henry touched Jack’s arm. “What’s wrong?”
He stopped moving. The simple gesture, touching him, send a calming vibe through him. Jack sank onto the sofa. “The truth is, I needed to see you. It’s been a day and I needed to center—with you.”
“I’m here.” Henry sat with him. “Are you okay?”
“I can’t say long because I have to get back to the shop. Prep work never ends.” He was rambling. “Sorry.”
“You’ve said that already.” Henry hadn’t yelled. Hadn’t argued. Hadn’t come at him with attitude.
Jack sighed. “I heard you stopped at the restaurant. I missed you.” He held Henry’s hand. “I’m sorry. I know, I’ve said it already, but I am.”
“What happened? Do you want to talk about it?” Henry asked.
“Josh happened.” He glanced down at their interlocked fingers, then met Henry’s gaze.
“I’ve known Josh since high school. We sort of dated a while when I came back after college.
We’ve been friends because we just are. He’s like that old coat you keep in the closet.
It’s not your favorite and it’s a little worn, but you just can’t quite bring yourself to get rid of it. ”
“I’ve got a couple like that.” Henry half-smiled. “Go on.”