Page 42 of Beyond the Hedge Maze

“No need for that. I know how it feels. After Mom died, there were days I couldn’t make any sense of the rage that was bubbling up inside of me. Why her? Why my mom? It was horrible and random, and sometimes that’s all it is. The universe doesn’t explain why she takes, she just does.” Jesse paused. “Do you have any idea why he didn’t tell you? That the estate wasn’t self-sufficient?”

“I’m not ignorant to how some of the larger estates keep up with their finances, and Rose has been pestering me about opening up the estate for a while. But I always assumed that through investments or whatever, that we didn’t need to welcome in outsiders. According to my solicitor, that was true once, but matters had changed. It’s why we called Emerson the first time.”

Oliver watched Jesse take in the information, the wheels turning behind his eyes. “My father would have proposed that he open the estate. I’m pretty certain about that.”

“He did. That’s what he told me over the phone, at least, but he wasn’t forthcoming about the reasons why my grandfather didn’t take his advice. And you both left so abruptly that summer…” Oliver’s voice trailed. “I imagine my grandfather wasn’t keen to the idea. He had told me that Luis was here for appraisal purposes. He must have sensed that was a viable option, which is why I called again.”

“Oliver, you have to understand that it’s only a short-term solution. Eventually you’ll run out of things worth selling, and then what’s the plan?”

He’d heard this argument already from Rose. It wasn’t like he hadn’t considered it. He had. But if his grandfather wasn’t willing to succumb to tourism, he wouldn’t either. There would be another way out of this mess.

“I understand that it’s not normal to be raised in a place like this. I understand that it’s a privilege, but just because it’s a big old house, doesn’t give people the right to access it. It’s still my home. Could you imagine having strangers buy tickets to wander around your house? It’s invasive. No. My grandfather didn’t want that. I won’t dishonor his wishes.”

“That doesn’t have to be the only option. Maybe if we—” Jesse was cut off by Oliver’s phone chiming loudly from where he had left it on the counter.

Oliver muttered a quiet “Fuck,” under his breath before leaving the table to get his phone. He steadied himself the best he could as he opened it.

Patricia Catesby: Did you think we wouldn’t find out about the contractors? YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO MAKE STRUCTURAL CHANGES TO THE HOUSE. We’ll be filing an injunction with the local authorities.

He tipped his head back in frustration. This was exactly what he needed—a visit from the local conservation officer. He hadn’t even officially hired anyone, nevertheless began the endless paperwork needed for its approval.

“Is everything okay?” Jesse asked.

No, everything wasn’t okay, but Oliver had already ruined this date in more ways than he could count. He didn’t need to make things even worse by bringing up his parents.

“I’m sorry. I’ve rather made a mess of this entire evening.”

Jesse stood from the table and collected their plates containing the cold remnants of their dinner, setting them on the counter near the sink as he turned to face him. “You didn’t.”

Oliver tried to smile, to accept that Jesse was telling the truth and the date wasn’t ending in disaster.

They cleaned up the kitchen, naturally moving around each other and sharing scenes of quiet domesticity as Jesse washed and Oliver dried the dishes. But the day had finally caught up to him.

After Oliver yawned a third time, Jesse turned off the faucet and took the towel from Oliver’s hands, drying his own. He laced their fingers again. “Bed.”

As they made their way upstairs, Jesse complained about the latest Uncle Albert room, this one filled with lamps, and Oliver laughed as he described his battles with the lamp oil. As they came to their rooms, Oliver promised he’d be around tomorrow to help sort out the rest of the space.

All of the sudden, standing in front of what had been his bedroom door for the last nearly twenty years of his life, he succumbed to the full impact of Rose’s meddling. Jesse’s thumb shifted so it rested against Oliver’s wrist directly over his pulse point, and Oliver stared down at it before he looked Jesse in the eye. “Can I ask you a question?”

Jesse stepped forward until Oliver’s back was firmly against the door, their chests nearly pressed together. “Yes.”

“Did you have a choice as to whether or not you took on my account?” Oliver closed his eyes as he waited for Jesse’s answer. He wondered if Jesse could feel how hard his heart was pounding, even though there was still a small amount of space between their bodies.

“Yes.”

Oliver opened his eyes as Jesse’s hand lifted to cradle his jaw. His gaze shifted down Jesse’s face to his mouth, fixated on the shape of his lips. Lips that had touched his cheek, his hand, his own mouth a decade before. “Why’d you take this job?”

“I think you know why.”

Silently, Oliver dared him to do it, to kiss him and make the first move. He wanted that final confirmation from Jesse that he was in it with him. That these feelings were without a shadow of a doubt reciprocated. Jesse’s breath was hot on Oliver’s face, and just when he expected to finally be kissed properly after all the time that had passed, Jesse’s lips only hovered over his own.

“Goodnight, Oliver.”

Chapter 19

Oliver

Present