Jake finished making their tea, steeping it for an extra minute because that was how Shirley liked it, and Shirley asked Rye a few more questions about the exam. He answered in more of those same stilted, half-formed sentences, and Jake filled in where he could. It started at 9:00 a.m. on Friday morning, and would take all day. Rye had gotten special accommodations to take the exam in a separate room, with the door open and a female proctor. And Jake would be allowed to sit in so he’d be there to help if Rye needed to communicate with someone. Shirley nodded at that last bit and then lamented that she had to work and couldn’t be there with them.
When Jake set down her tea, she looked up at him with a tired smile and then back to Rye.
“You know, I’m just tired enough that I think I’m gonna take this to my room and get ready for bed. Is that okay, sweetie? And I hope you don’t mind, Jake.”
“Of course not,” he said quickly, and Rye nodded too.
“Sorry you’re having to workso much, Mom.”
“Oh, it’s just for one more week until Campbell’s back from their family leave,” she said. “Just unfortunate timing is all.” She closed her eyes and lifted the mug to her lips to take a slow sip. “Mmm, this is perfect, Jake.”
“Glad you like it. And I should probably get going, too.”
Shirley stood, dropped a kiss on the top of Rye’s head, and told him one more time how proud she was. Then she said goodnight to Jake and disappeared down the hallway to her bedroom.
Jake moved to the coffee table to gather up his things, and by the time he was finished, Rye had joined him, his hands stuffed in the pockets of his pants and his eyes staring at the floor. He seemed lost in thought, and when Jake cleared his throat lightly, Rye looked up. His eyes were deep and expressive, still stormy, although there was maybe less of that sadness and uncertainty in them that Jake had noticed earlier.
“So, um, I’ll see you tomorrow?” Jake asked, and though he tried to keep the hope out of his voice, he was sure he’d failed quite spectacularly.
“Um, well, I think Mom’s actually only working a few hours tomorrow morning, so I should be okay. Unless...” Rye paused and shook his head a little, and Jake had to totally be imagining things because he swore he saw Rye’s cheeks flush slightly. “I mean, unless you just want to come over anyway?” Rye finished.
And there it was again—a flush of pink in Rye’s cheeks.
Jake swallowed hard, trying to hide his reaction, but the tingle of warmth spread through his chest anyway. He pursed his lips and continued to hold Rye’s gaze as he nodded. “Um, yeah. Yeah, sure.” Blinking, he shouldered his messenger bag and cleared his throat. “Uh, what time?”
Rye turned toward the front door, and Jake followed, gripping the strap of his bag a bit tighter.
“I think Mom works early tomorrow. Eight to noon, maybe? I’ll ask her and text you. Maybe... maybe we can grab coffee and get in a walk on the beach. It’s been a few days. But... um... is...”
“Is it still just as busy in town?” Jake guessed, and Rye nodded reluctantly. Jake frowned. “Yeah. Maybe another week or two until it really starts to slow down. But at eight, I think it should be okay enough?”
Rye opened up the front door and stood there silently for a few seconds. Then he said, “Okay, yeah. We can try that. I-I’m sorry. I... hate... that I can’t...” He didn’t finish his sentence, and he closed his eyes, suddenly looking small and defeated.
And Jake’s heart ached. “I know,” he said quietly.Give yourself more time, he wanted to add. But he kept silent, and he watched as the tension left Rye’s jaw again.
When the younger man blinked his eyes open, his small smile was more genuine than it had been earlier, but he couldn’t quite seem to meet Jake’s eyes. He motioned Jake outside ahead of him and then followed Jake down the walkway to where his car was parked along the curb.
They stopped just as they reached the driver’s side door, and Rye spoke, his voice soft.
“Thank you for today. For helping me. And... and for listening. You’re always here when I need someone. And I... I really appreciate your friendship.”
The words sent Jake’s heart racing. God, how he wanted to say something really, really stupid right then. But he didn’t. Kind of. Because he couldn’t help the words thatdidslip out.
“Anytime. Anytime at all,” he said. And it probably wasn’t the actual words so much as the way he said them. All low and deep and wistful, with a longing evenhecould hear. And then, since he was such a lunkhead, he felt the need to follow up and clarify. “You’re my friend, and I like you—”
Ah, fuck. Heat flooded his cheeks as he cursed inwardly, and he was thankful the sun had gone down some time ago, because he desperately hoped the darkness was hiding how red his face must be.
“I mean... I mean, I like... to help you,” he corrected. “I’m happy to help anytime. And if you want to talk more, I’m here to listen. Anytime. Whatever... whatever you need.”
Be patient. Wait for him, Krista had said. And hewas. Hewasbeing patient. Hewaswaiting. He would wait. He would continue to wait.
But god, he’d found it near impossible to keep his emotions in check sometimes, and whatever he’d just blurted out had definitely not been edited first.
Somehow, thankfully, Rye didn’t seem fazed. He just smiled. And nodded. “Thanks. And... and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Y-yeah.” And now he was stuttering. Wonderful. “Yeah, I’ll be here just before eight. Or, I mean, text me and let me know if that works?”
Rye nodded, and it would have made sense for both of them to say good night then, to turn and leave. But neither of them moved. Rye’s eyes had fallen to the ground, and his hands were still in his pockets.
