“So when did you sleep with her?”
Jake choked.
Not a splutter, but a full on, shit-he-might-be-dying, lungs not really getting any oxygen choke. Then he couldn’t make any noise, none that sounded human.
He just about heard Zack laugh over the ringing in his ears. The next thing he was aware of was his cousin bear hugging him over the kitchen counter from behind and a sharp pain of what felt like his Zack's fist under Jake's ribs.
There was a noise that sounded freaking horrible and he could suddenly breathe again. Tears were running down his cheeks and he felt as weak as a baby goat, clinging onto his kitchen island and trying not to look at the piece of omelette that had tried to kill him.
“Good job Sorrell made me take those baby first aid classes.” Zack gave him a gentle pat on the back.
Jake gulped. “Thanks.” What else could he say? His cousin had just saved his life.
“So did you sleep with her?”
“For fuck’s sake, Zack!” Jake managed to stand up, dragging himself to the sink for a glass of water, although he was wondering if it was too early for a beer.
Zack backed away. “Should I call a doctor or something?”
“Seriously, no.” He chose to say few words, knowing any explanation would have Zack guessing that he had slept with Lainey. “You want to walk out and show me where you want your petting zoo?”
Zack shook his head. “No, you can decide. Then tell me how much it’ll cost. You slept with her though, didn’t you?”
“What’s your obsession with this? Are you turning into the town gossip or something?”
Zack looked guilty.
Jake sat down, clutching the glass of water. He did not feel quite right, but at least he was alive. Although he wasn’t sure whether he felt like shit because he’d just nearly choked to death or because Lainey might’ve moved on. On from what, he didn’t know.
“Sorrell was curious.” Zack sat down too. “Do you want another coffee?”
Jake nodded. “Sorrell was curious. Which means Keren was too.”
Zack shrugged. “They said they saw you at the battle of the bands. You were dancing together.”
He wanted to say that he danced with a lot of people that night, but that would’ve been a lie. He hadn’t. He hadn’t even spoken to that many people, unless it was about organising the event or giving instructions. When he’d had a free moment, he’d gravitated towards Lainey.
Which was the problem.
“We’re starting to get along. Which we need to do – you know how it is in this community. We have to help each other out and that’s easier to do if you can get on.” It didn’t sound as lame as he thought it would.
Zack shrugged. “Sorrell will be disappointed. She really likes Lainey.”
“Then I’m surprised she wants to see her with me.”
There was a strange silence that reminded Jake why he tended to work with animals more than people.
“She likes you too. She wants to see you with someone who isn’t just after your…” Zack squinted and looked a little disgusted. “Cock.”
“I’m assuming they were her words and not yours.”
“Absolutely. She also thinks you must be lonely up here by yourself.”
“I’m not by myself. I have a dozen people who work here every day, two campsites full of people and animals that make more sense than humans. That includes the chickens, by the way, and especially the alpacas.” He took the coffee Zack had made. “Don’t you have sleep to catch up on.”
“Trying to get rid of me?”
Jake nodded. “Yes.”
