CHAPTER NINETEEN
CLAY
“What do you mean it’s mine?”
Sue gestures toward the big pile of roofing shingles I just asked about, the surplus as we finish the job.
“I got them for a song,” she says. “I certainly don’t intend to store them. And I don’t mean to speak indelicately, kid, but I have seen the condition of your roof. You will inevitably have to tend to the matter. So if you’ll do the labor of getting these shingles out of this work site today, you can keep the load.”
I huff, not sure what to say. I’ve barely worked with Sue, but I can’t imagine she’d overestimate an order by this much. It’s probably enough to finish most of my job.
And it’s going to save me an ass-load of time and money.
Not about to argue with good luck, I offer her my hand instead. “Thanks, Sue.”
She accepts with a firm grip. “Shingles need to be out of here by noon,” she says.
“Got it. If you need another backup while I’m in town, you know where to find me.”
“Possibly. We’re going to gut the apartments above the bear bar this month. I’ll let you know if we need an extra hand.” She nods once. “Until later.”
She takes off, and I frown to myself, still uncertain if anyone actually likes me. Seems like it, but why would Sue decide to like me? Except for the fact that I work hard, and tried my best to take the instruction her crew offered.
It’s only nine in the morning, which means I can get a good day of work in at my place. After gulping down a protein shake, I borrow a wheelbarrow, spend the morning hauling shingles to the backyard, and turn straight back to roofing.
If this potential buyer does come by, I want to make the best impression possible. Nicholas went to the trouble of dragging me out to network, and I somehow managed to not fuck it up, so I’m determined to take advantage of the opportunity.
“Hey!” Nicholas yells from the ground a couple hours later. It’s sunny and hot, and I wipe sweat off my face as I look down at him, two floors beneath me.
“Sorry!” I yell. “Too loud in the shop?”
“No!” Nicholas climbs up the ladder so he’s close enough to talk normally. “Just wondered if you’re aware that you have an audience.”
I arch an eyebrow. “Where?”
He nods discreetly down the street. When I look, I see that I’m perfectly positioned to be on display for the entire block, from the bus stop to the outdoor café, and more than a few people are watching me work.
With an annoyed grunt, I squat down to get closer to Nicholas. “Guess I’ll make sure not to scratch my balls anymore.”
Nicholas laughs. “A little ball-scratch would be a hit with your audience, but you’re right. Best not to pander.”
I hate the feeling of everyone staring at me, but in this moment, there’s a little bit of a thrill to it, too. They can look all they want, but no one is going to see the truth of what’s going on between me and Nicholas. That’s just for us.
“You’re coming over tonight, regular time?”
He nods quickly. “Want me to pick anything up?”
“Just you,” I answer with a slight growl.
The rest of the afternoon, I work on the rear of the roof, away from prying eyes. The paycheck from Sue and the free shingles are a huge boost. I’m driven to get this done, and the more I work on the house, the more committed I am to the vision that’s forming in my head.
There’s no better way to fall in love with a beautiful old building than to work on it.
All afternoon, my desire for Nicholas builds, too.
I’m ready for more with him. Keeping this part of my sexuality buried meant that, in the past, I didn’t entertain many fantasies about men. I pushed my desires aside before they had a chance to take shape.
But with Nicholas, there’s time to think about what I want. I have him all to myself, and the opportunity excites me.
