Chapter Two #2
“Relax. You guys weren’t that loud. Besides, it’s still early, no one else is up yet. I just happened to be sitting on my porch. Do you want to tell me what happened between the two of you?” Jackson gave him a sympathetic look and for some reason, Henry felt compelled to answer.
“He wasn’t really my boyfriend; we just went out a few times. He was only here once, and he stole an envelope off my desk.” Henry shook his head. “Five thousand dollars.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah.” Henry shook his head. “When I confronted him, he admitted it, telling me that he had important gambling debts he had to pay off and I shouldn’t mind helping him out.”
“Jerk,” Jackson muttered. “Did you report it?”
“I tried.” Henry sighed. “But the police were less than helpful. They said since I had a relationship with him, they couldn’t be sure who was telling the truth. One cop accused me of giving him the money then deciding I wanted it back when Abe dumped me.”
“That cop was an asshole. I’m sorry that happened to you.” Jackson patted his hand. “Has that guy been bothering you a lot?”
“He’s been calling some.” Henry shrugged.
“And he’s really never tried to hurt you before?”
Henry shook his head. “Thank you for coming to my rescue.”
“I’d say anytime, but I really hope this never happens again.”
“Same.” Henry shivered.
“I have been looking for an excuse to come over here though,” Jackson told him.
“You have? Why?” Henry wrinkled his forehead.
“I need to apologize. I was incredibly rude the other day, and I’ve been trying to figure out what to say to you. I’m not normally such an asshole.”
“I overstepped. I shouldn’t have—”
“Don’t you dare apologize for being a nice guy, for showing concern for someone you don’t even know. I was having a bad morning, and that backfire didn’t help.”
“I accept your apology.” Henry said, desperately fighting back the urge to ask why his morning hadn’t been pleasant. “So why were you out this early?”
“Having trouble sleeping past my normal wake-up time.” Jackson shrugged. “Well, I guess I should let you get back to sleep.”
“Yeah, not happening.” Henry shook his head. “No way I can sleep after that.”
“I feel you.” Jackson patted Henry’s shoulder.
“Besides, Angel is like an hour and a half away from demanding her breakfast and a walk. How about some coffee?”
“Coffee would be great.”
Henry got up and went into the kitchen to make some.
Jackson followed. “Nice kitchen.” The room was large with a huge island in the center and painted an apple-red color.
“Thanks.” Henry smiled. “My friends and I remodeled the whole house before I moved in. Would you like a tour while the coffee brews?”
“Sure.” Jackson shrugged nonchalantly.
“You’ve already seen the living room.” Henry motioned for Jackson to follow. “This is my study, or office. I just like the word study better.” He chuckled nervously.
“It does look more like a study than an office.” The room had two huge recliners and floor-to-ceiling bookcases with a small desk and computer in the corner.
“I like to read,” Henry said as Jackson perused his literary collection.
“I can see that.” Jackson smiled.
“Come on. I’ll show you the rest.” Henry showed him the guest room. “This is Angel’s room, so we’ll have to be quiet.” The room was a pale-lilac color, and softly lit. In one corner, the dog in question slept on an extra-large lavender bed big enough for an adult human. He knew. He’d tried it.
“What a lucky girl,” Jackson whispered.
“The only thing left is my room.” He led the way to the space and flipped on the light. “Please excuse the bed.” The spacious room was painted Robin’s-egg blue, and all the furnishings were distressed white. “My favorite room is the master bath.”
“Wow.” Jackson’s mouth hung open. He looked around at the deep oval freestanding tub, the impressive glass-enclosed shower with its multiple jets and showerheads, and the vanity and mirror that took up one entire wall. “I might never leave this room if this was my house,” he commented with a smile.
“You don’t think it’s too much? Some people think I went overboard here, but water relaxes me.”
“Then it’s perfect.” Jackson shrugged. “Never let others run your life. If this is what makes you happy, I say go for it. Fuck everyone else’s opinions.”
Henry smiled at that. “That’s kind of what I thought too.”
“Besides, you should see my bathroom, it’s just as lavish as yours.”
“You must come see the backyard.” Henry’s smile widened. “That’s my other oasis.” The backyard was just as amazing in his opinion. There was a huge wooden deck, off which to the left was a large pool and to the right a hot tub.
“Nice.” Jackson let out a whistle. “Man, I wish I had your setup.”
“You can use it anytime you’d like,” Henry offered, blushing slightly as he thought of his gorgeous, buff neighbor shirtless and in a speedo.
Or even better, the two of them skinny-dipping.
“Well, that’s it. We should check on the coffee.
” Jackson nodded his agreement and followed Henry back to the kitchen.
“Your house is really beautiful. You guys did a good job,” Jackson said as Henry poured their drinks.
“Thanks. I’m an interior designer, and my friends are general contractors, so it was pretty easy,” Henry told him, handing him his cup then setting down the sugar and creamer.
“That sounds like an interesting job.” Jackson declined both and drank his black. “Great coffee,” he commented.
“I got it from a local place down on Main.”
“So, an interior designer, huh? Maybe I should have you come and take a look at my place. My mom and sister thought it would be nice to redecorate while I was deployed, and I’m not sure it’s me.”
“I’d love to take a look. I could come by after work sometime.” Henry was surprised. He thought he was going to have to come up with some lame excuse to spend more time with the man. And here Jackson was, asking for exactly what he wanted.
“Are you sure you won’t be too tired?”
“Nah. I’m usually up around this time.” As if to prove his point, Angel came strolling into the room and began nosing at her bowl. Henry grabbed her food and took the dish away to fill it. Angel wandered over to Jackson.
“Good morning, gorgeous.” He patted her head, and she made a pleased sound, wagging her tail wildly. “Who’s a good girl?” Jackson scratched behind her ears.
“You mean spoiled girl who has trained me more thoroughly than I have her.” Henry laughed.
“That I can believe.” Jackson chuckled as well.
“How about you? Any pets?”
“No. I’m not really home enough to properly take care of anything.” Jackson shrugged. “But I’m a huge fan of the larger-breed dogs like Angel.” Angel ran off to her bowl as soon as Henry sat it down, and Henry returned to his place next to Jackson.
“Me too. Big dogs get a bad rep sometimes. Like Angel, she’s a rottweiler-pointer mix. Everyone told me not to adopt her, but I fell in love with her.”
“How long have you had her?”
“I got her last year, the same day I bought the house,” Henry answered.
“Well, you two are way nicer than the people who used to live here,” Jackson commented.
“Are we now?” Henry asked.
“Yeah, they didn’t really like me all that much.”
“How could anyone not like you?” Henry chuckled, causing Jackson to smile. Angel, finished with breakfast, came over and began nudging his leg. “Time for our walk.” Henry’s voice sounded reluctant to his own ears.
“Great. You can walk me to my house.”
“Can do.” Henry smiled at him. “Ready?” he asked as Angel began to whine. Jackson nodded and got up while Henry got Angel’s leash and clipped it to her collar. When they got to Jackson’s house, Henry turned to say goodbye.
“I was wondering when you think you might have time to come look at my house?” Jackson said instead.
“I could come over this evening. I usually get home around six or seven. Is that too late?”
“Tonight works,” Jackson agreed. “See you then.” The man waved and walked into his house.
Henry and Angel continued on their way. He couldn’t help but wonder what would happen tonight.
“He’s probably straight,” Henry said aloud to himself.
“No getting your hopes up. He just wants your professional opinion, not to nail you to the mattress.” But reminding himself of that didn’t stop him from gazing at Jackson’s house as he passed on his way back.
Henry finished his last job at five thirty and rushed home to shower and change.
He again lectured himself against a crush on his gorgeous neighbor but dressed in his tightest jeans and a button-down shirt anyway.
After he was dressed, he fed and walked Angel.
Back inside, he covered his eyes with his hands for a moment.
“Why the hell am I so nervous?” He felt Angel nudge him.
He smiled and petted her head. “Thanks, sweet girl.” Somehow, knowing he was going out, Angel went over to her bed, and laid down.
“Wish me luck.” Angel responded with the sound she always made when she was happy.
“I guess that’s a good sign.” Henry walked out, locked the door, then went over to his neighbor’s.
“Henry, you made it.” Jackson opened the door as soon as he knocked, like he had been waiting for him. “How was work?”
“Work was great.” Henry smiled as Jackson led him inside. “Something smells incredible.” His stomach rumbled.
“I’m glad you think so because that’s your dinner.”
“My dinner?” Henry was a little confused.
“Yeah. I thought I’d make you dinner for helping me out.” Jackson shrugged.