6. Chapter Six #2
“He came to the shop today and said his father was moving into an assisted living facility. I’ve known his dad as long as I’ve known Josh and I wanted to help.
We were slow, so I went with him to help with the move.
Turned out, Josh wanted to relocate a sofa and his father was already in the elder home.
It was a big lie to get me to do what he wanted.
” He hated the pain in Henry’s eyes, but he’d caused it by not telling him earlier what was going on.
“I should’ve made him tell me the truth. ”
“But you wanted to help. You’ve got a big heart,” Henry murmured.
“Maybe.”
“Hey, you thought you were doing the right thing. He’s the one who lost out because you won’t believe him a second time.” Henry shrugged and didn’t let go. “Was he the one you were supposedly seen hugging? The one you said you loved?”
“Huh?” He had no idea what Henry meant. “I didn’t hug anyone. If I had, I would tell you.”
This time, Henry sighed. He pinched the bridge of his nose with his free hand. “I should’ve guessed. The little shit.”
“What?”
“I’ve been going crazy thinking you’re stepping out on me,” Henry said.
“I ran into Charlie Grover from the paper. He told me he’d seen you hugging someone and telling them you loved them.
Said you had a private party at the restaurant yesterday, too.
Me, being terrible at dating, let it get under my skin. I knew it was a lie, but I got scared.”
“He saw me with Ray.” Jack scooted closer to Henry.
“That’s one man I will never date again.
Remember me telling you about the ex that wanted me to go upscale cuisine?
That’s Ray. He showed up, informed me the restaurant was a dump, I should go high class and when I refused, he got snippy.
No hugging and no I love yous involved.” He slid his palm around Henry’s throat to the back of his neck and tugged him close.
“The only man I want to be hugging or kissing right now is you.”
“Same here.” Henry kissed him, then rested his forehead against Jack’s.
“I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions. It might not seem like much, but I can’t handle being second best. I know you’re a social person.
So am I and I get you’ve got a past. We both do.
It’s hard because I’ve been shuffled to the back burner other times and I don’t want that with you.
I don’t want you to date me or have sex with me because you think I’m a good worker or you feel sorry for me. ”
“Henry?” He hadn’t seen any of that coming. “That’s not how I feel at all.”
“I’m not a jealous guy, but I need to know the truth. I’m pushing fifty and not getting any younger.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t clue you in to what was happening, but you’re not second best with me.” He was to the shop, but that wasn’t important right now.
“I don’t want to feel like I’m not good enough or that I’m only here to soothe your ego.”
“Things between us are going fast and I don’t blame you for being concerned.
I doubt I’d like seeing you with a bunch of your exes or knowing you’d gone with them to do anything.
It’d drive me crazy. But this is a small town and some of mine live here.
I tend to interact with them because I have a business and I have to keep things positive.
I don’t talk politics with the customers because I know half of them would stop visiting the shop if I did.
Same thing with exes. It’s better to use honey, you know?
My restaurant is the only thing that’s number one uncontested in my life.
That said, I want us. I want you. I can’t cut everyone from my past out of my life, but my focus is at the restaurant and with you.
” He did have to get the prep work done, but he liked being with Henry too much.
“I can accept that,” Henry said. “My writing is my top priority, too. I’m sorry I’m being so moody. I guess I missed you today more than I thought.” He half-smiled. “I had to eat at one of the food trucks. It’s just not the same.”
“I bet not,” Jack said. “Closing early wasn’t the same, either.” He kissed Henry, needing his calming spirit. “I’m glad I came over, even if it was impulsive. You’re good for me.”
“Want my help at the restaurant? I’m free this evening,” Henry said. “I wanted to write, but I can’t get my head in the game.”
“It’s okay, but I appreciate the offer.” The restaurant was his responsibility. He’d shirked his duties earlier. Time to make up for them now. “But we’re a you and me?”
“You and me,” Henry said, repeating him.
“Work with me, write and be my boyfriend.” He threaded his arms around Henry. “Yes?”
“Stay here,” Henry said. “I want you to.”
“I can’t tell you no, even if I should be going to the restaurant.” He’d never get caught up.
“I’ll help you in the morning.”
Henry knew how to say the right things. Jack kissed him hard. He cared way too much about Henry. The man made him impulsive and all a mess, but he liked the way Henry churned him around.
Being home with Henry felt right. His life wasn’t so empty and bland. He never considered his life boring, but Jack swore Henry brought a certain electricity to his existence. He followed Henry into the kitchen.
“You don’t bring many people home, do you?” Henry asked.
“Nope.” Jack left his keys and wallet on the counter. “I don’t spend much time there, either.”
“Because you’re always at the shop?”
“I’m there more than I should be,” Jack confessed. “Do you bring a lot of guys home?”
“No.” Henry crossed the room and held onto Jack’s shirt. “Maybe you should find a reason to be home, and I should find one to bring you over here more.”
Jack didn’t speak right away. His first thought was Henry was trying to change him, to make Jack something he wanted—which wasn’t Jack.
But he had to slow down and not react to Henry so fast. Henry wasn’t the other guys.
He’d opened up to Henry more. He’d encouraged Henry to put down his guard, too. Jack had to do the same for Henry.
Jack brushed his nose along Henry’s, breathing him in. “Are you giving me a reason to hang out here?”
“A reason to spend some of your spare time you’d waste at the shop and being home,” Henry said. He nibbled Jack’s bottom lip. “There’s nothing wrong with being devoted to the shop, but there’s also nothing wrong with enjoying your away time, too.”
He smoothed his palms over Jack’s chest, sending shivers through Jack. A groan bubbled in him.
“Make your free time count,” Henry said. “Love it.”
“Yeah.” He feasted on Henry’s mouth. The taste of beer lingered on his kiss. He grabbed Henry’s ass, pulling him closer. He groaned again.
Henry broke the kiss. “You’re sexy when you stand behind the counter.”
“Am I?” He’d never been told that. “Is that why you hang out at my shop?”
“I love your meat,” Henry said. His eyes widened as he’d realized what he’d said. “I mean…”
“You like my beefy display?” He loved getting Henry flustered.
“I do.” He ground against him, rubbing on Jack’s hip. “You wear those tight T-shirts to tempt me. Make me come back for more of you.”
“And you do.” He couldn’t get enough of Henry touching him. Henry knew what he could do with the bulge in his pants. He wanted Henry to make him crave him. Henry grasped Jack’s hand, tugging him down to the bedroom.
Henry collapsed on top of him on the bed. “Got you.”
He’d let Henry control things the first time, but this time he wanted to be in charge. Henry pushed Jack’s shirt out of the way and kissed Jack’s belly.
“Yes.” He threaded his fingers into Henry’s hair. “Love it.”
Henry opened Jack’s shirt and moved up to Jack’s nipples. Tingles shot through Jack’s body. So much for control. “Need you in me,” Jack said. “Now.”
“In a bit.” Henry resumed licking Jack’s nipples. He increased his pressure and rubbed Jack’s arms.