“The. . .” I start to repeat, in confusion.
“You know, the movie? River Phoenix trying to make it as a country singer in Nashville?”
Of course, that’s what he means.
Baylor shrugs. “We need some inspiration, and that role is a good one. Want to join?”
So, me, Baylor, Matt, and Theo converge on his small but amazing theatre room to watch the movie.
I try not to think of howdate nightit feels as I sit next to him and watch Matt and Theo cuddle together, removing the armrest between their seats.
There is a hell of a lot more than an armrest between Baylor and me, and I wish it was just as easily removed.
Chapter 11 – Baylor
Waiting for Love – Avicii
“LookoutBearValley.. .here. . .I ain’t never leaving,” Cas mumbles when I try to wake him up after the movie. I’m not sure when he drifted off. I watched a little bit of the director’s cut that came after the movie, searching for inspiration, and that is what did him in.
I chuckle at his sleepy quote of the movie. He’s adorable in this uncensored version. Although, the thought of Cas here and never leaving is. . .nice? Dangerous?
It’s bad enough he’s in my house. When I went into this I was of two minds. One, there was no way he would be the Cas I knew and loved, so I could get to know this new Cas, and the one I remembered, the one in my heart, could be protected forever, not even challenged by the existence of a walking avatar. Or, two, we would have some sort of closure on this project, and I would finally move on.
As his long, lanky frame rests against me, my chest feels tight. I’m just holding him up as he sleepily drags himself out of the theatre room and to his bedroom.
His face turns into mine, a slow, sleepy smile spreading over it as he presses a hand to my chest. Surely he can feel my heart getting away from me.
God, he just feels and smells so good I want to hold him closer, not let go. My mind screams that this can’t be right. I’m not supposed to drop off Cas in his own room and then go to my own. We aren’t supposed to be in different rooms, different spaces.
It’s the only thing that feels wrong about him being here.
“Thanks, Bee.” He sighs as he makes his way into the room and starts stripping. I literally have to pull my eyes away as smooth skin goes on display. Sure, I saw his body in the hot tub, but I had the buffer of my brothers. This is something else.
I feel my body respond as he starts to slip down his jeans, and that finally motivates me to go. I can’t imagine the amount of people who think about Cas’s body. To watch him when he’s relaxed and safe like this seems invasive. More than if he was just some random guy no one knew.
Although it is late, I’m restless. I haven’t had my late Friday nights with Cas’s ghost since the man in the flesh has been here, and today is Friday. Not only that, but me and the ghost of Cas get a hell of a lot of songwriting done, but real Cas and I. . .not so much, so far.
I slip outside, noticing the change in the air immediately. I’ve lived in Bear Valley long enough to guess when a storm is coming, even when it’s not exactly predicted. A quick look at the weather app on my phone tells me I’m right, by the time we are up in the morning the ranch will be blanketed in a winter wonderland. An icy winter wonderland.
So much for sitting on my back deck and lamenting about Cas. Instead, I pull on heavy coveralls and boots, and do all the things I can to be responsible for my guests. I check generators and food and water supplies. As the clouds bank in the sky, too dark to see, but I feel it. I grab an ATV and head over to the barn just to make sure everything is in order.
I’m no cowboy or ranchhand. Mason takes care of everything as ranch foreman and lives closer to the herd than either Matt or I do, just from a different direction. I do know enough to make sure everything is secure before a bad storm, and when I arrive Mason’s already at it, and just tips his hat to me.
“I’d expect a few days where it will be hard to get out from this one,” Mason warns me, so we make plans to divide the necessary tasks at the ranch, and I nod when he waves off needing any help.
A storm like this is not unheard of, and it won’t last long, but if someone isn’t prepared it can be incredibly inconvenient.
It’s too late to call Matt and Theo, but Matt will be on top of things. I can make my way to them in any conditions, so it can wait until tomorrow.
Once I’m back at my place, I pull up the schedules for the hospitality services, sending texts to realign work duties with those who don’t need to travel into Bear Valley.
I also check the electronic systems for the landscaping, make sure nothing is going to get frozen that shouldn’t, and send some guidance to the tubing hill staff on what conditions mean we can’t open.
Jordy’s easy to wake, and when he hears the storm is on its way, he’s quick to secure a ride back to town with Mason. I chat with him until he climbs up into Mason’s truck, and he seems in much better spirits than he did when he left to sleep it off.
By the time I haul my ass to bed, I’m exhausted. Too exhausted for Cas or his ghost.
“Jesus Christ, this much snow just overnight?” Cas paces in front of the big window in my living room in pajamas and a pair of fuzzy socks that look kind of questionable for a rockstar to be wearing.
