“Sure you are, buddy.”
“If that’s really something you’re interested in, we can do that. And since you’ve gotten to know us a little bit, maybe you’d be okay with Gabe having some help?” Travis is very careful with his words, and I’m sure they’re all curious about why I refused to have more than one worker here.
I’m not ready to go into all of that with them, but I think it’s safe to say I’d be okay with that. “Maybe,” I say cautiously.
“I can do a hot tub all on my own,” Gabe says, and I think he might be puffing out his chest a little. But maybe I’m imagining things.
Jackson rolls his eyes. “If you two want to be alone, just go out on a date already,” he says, and I swear I nearly choke on air, my eyes widening. Gabe punches his friend in the shoulder. And although he’s playing around, and I don’t think he intended to hurt him, Jackson winces a little. “Ow! What?”
“You are fantastic at subtlety,” Travis says, gripping the bridge of his nose.
“I... that’s not what...” I stumble. “I just don’t like a lot of strangers at my house. I didn’t know you all when I booked the first job, and I was nervous about being alone with a lot of men.”Please, just kill me now.I can’t stop my rambling until Gabe gently places a reassuring hand on my arm.
Oakley looks furious now, and I almost flinch because so far, I haven’t seen the sort of goofy, large man anything other than happy. “Did someone hurt you?”
“Oakley,” Travis scolds and then looks at me. “You don’t have to tell us anything. It’s totally understandable and your right to ask for only one worker, if that’s what you wanted. And still want.”
“Um...” My voice falters. “I was bullied a lot in school.” I try to laugh it off but fail and fail hard as my voice cracks. “It was a long time ago, and I should be over it by now... but...”
“How could you be? Trauma from bullying doesn’t just go away.” Jackson surprises me by becoming oddly serious.
This was a fun night. These men were total strangers to me until tonight, and here I go, making it weird. “It’s fine. It was years ago. And you all seem nice.”
Travis and Gabe snort, but Oakley is still serious. “No one from our crew would ever hurt you or let anything happen to you.”
Travis cups his husband’s shoulder, looking proud, and then nods in my direction. “You have our word.”
“Right...” I squirm a little in my seat because they don’t know me. How can strangers be more protective of me than anyone in my life has ever been? It makes no sense.
But then I look at Gabe, and I realize I felt the same with him from day one. Maybe I’ve just met garbage humans up until now.
“Thank you,” I say. “And I believe you. I wouldn’t mind other workers coming.”
They all smile, and thankfully, things lighten up after that. Oakley goes on and on about a porch swing he made and a few firepits he saw on Pinterest that he’s going to suggest to clientsnext week. It’s endearing. The big guy really does seem to love his job.
They all do.
But soon, Travis is yawning, and Oakley decides it’s time to take his husband home. Travis says to call any time about the hot tub, and we all agree to get together soon before they head out, leaving me with Jackson and Gabe.
It seems like I actually made some friends tonight.
“Well, we should get going too, right? Work tomorrow,” Jackson says, reaching up to stretch his arms above his head.
I know they rode together, but I want Gabe to stay. I don’t say a word, though, as he agrees reluctantly, and I follow them both out to Jackson’s truck. He gives me a nod and jokes again about how I should call him for the hot-tub job before hopping up into the driver’s seat.
Gabe stands outside his door. “Thank you for putting up with these idiots tonight.”
“I like your friends,” I say honestly, and yes, it’s as much of a surprise to me as it has to be to him.
He grins happily. “So, you think we can do it again?”
“Yeah,” I say instantly. “I really want to.”
“Good.” We linger there for a while, standing with only the light of the moon and Jackson’s headlights.
“What job are you on tomorrow?” I ask, my heart tightening in my chest. He’s finished with my house for now. I need to get on the hot-tub thing right away. And yes, I know I’m pathetic.
I’m starting to not care at all.
