“Hey, you seem happy,” Carlos says when he sees me. I didn’t even realize I’d been smiling while I was working, but now that he’s mentioning it, I am quite a bit more upbeat than usual. I can’t believe it but I actually blush, and of course he grins even wider at me. “You finally get some action?” he asks, clapping me on the shoulder.
I roll my eyes. “Of course you would think that is the only possible reason for me to be smiling.”
“No, but it’s the best one.”
I can’t help it. I laugh. “If you must know, no, I didn’t get any action. I actually have someone staying with me for a while who needs some help, and I’m enjoying having the company, and doing something for someone else.”
“Oh, I see. I’m guessing it’s not a gorgeous woman?”
“No.”It’s a gorgeous nineteen-year-old boy. “He’s a kid I ran into that night at the bar, down on his luck. I’m helping him get back on his feet.”
“You took in a total stranger?” he asks, his eyes widening, and I don’t know if it’s aI can’t believe how amazing you are, or aI can’t believe how stupid you are,look.
“Yeah,” I shrug.
“Well, good for you, man. I hope it works out for both of you. Just be careful, huh?”
I nod.
His eyes flit over my face for a moment longer as if trying to decipher something before he nods again and goes back to work.
I’m more than ready for the day to be over when six o’clock finally rolls around. I can’t believe how quickly I jump into my truck and peel out of the work site, knowing that there will be someone waiting for me when I get home. The idea that not only do I not have to cook dinner, but I don’t have to eat alone, spurs me on. Charlie is a wonderful cook and I can’t wait to see what he’s made. I’m fucking starving.
When I get home, I park and turn the truck off. It’s getting dark now, and just the fact that I can see a light on inside makes my heart swell. Shit, it’s been a long time since I came home to anything but an empty and quiet house. This is what it’s supposed to be like. I can’t believe I have this again, because I don’t deserve to. But somehow, this boy has come into my life, and made it so much better in such a short amount of time.
I climb out and make my way up the steps to the front door. The smell of garlic and lemon hits me before I even open it, and I groan. Music fills my ears when I step inside and breathe in the heavenly scent wafting from the kitchen. The music is playing so loudly I don’t think he can hear me, but I don’t mind one bit.
I take my work boots off before placing my hat on top of them. I can’t believe how happy it makes me to see his shoes on the mat by the door. A reminder that I’m not alone, that someone shares this house with me now.
I find more reminders as I make my way through the house, like the book left open on the coffee table and the glass next to it, filled part way with orange juice. The wrapper from the Pop Tarts he must have had earlier and the banana peel he didn’t throw away. I don’t even care, because it means he’s here, making himself at home, so he can be messy if he wants to be, and I’ll enjoy every minute of it.
I make my way to the kitchen and a smile splits my face when I see him bopping his head and swinging his hips to the music playing from his phone. It’s steady and upbeat and seems to suit his personality perfectly.
He’s wearing a pleated skirt, which must be one of the ones I asked him not to try on for me. This one is black with fucking roses on it. Only Charlie could make roses adorable. He’s wearing another crop top. It’s black with mesh sleeves and a hood, and he’s so fucking cute. My hands ache to grip his mid-section and feel his skin under mine again.
I sigh loudly and he turns to face me, a bright smile crossing his face, his green eyes lighting up. He reaches over and turns the volume down on the music. “Hey, Papa Bear. How long have you been standing there?”
“Not long.” I smile back at him. He steps towards me but I back away. He frowns, the sparkle in his eyes dimming.
“I do not smell good,” I explain, my hands up. His smile returns as he bites his lip and looks me over.
“Dinner’s almost ready. Go shower. It’ll be waiting when you get out.”
I nod and head down the hall, hearing the music rise in volume again. I shake my head fondly as I enter the bathroom and shut the door. I smile when I see his toothbrush and tube of toothpaste there and a shaver on the counter that isn’t mine, along with his deodorant. There’s no organization to the items whatsoever. They’re just taking over the sink. I’m so used to living by myself and having everything in order all the time that I’m surprised it doesn’t annoy me, but it does the opposite. Happiness blooms in my chest at the thought of sharing my bathroom with someone else. I also notice that the bathroom hamper is empty, which means Charlie must have done laundry. Why do I have butterflies fluttering around in my stomach at the thought of his clothes being mixed in with mine?
I strip and step into the shower. Ten minutes later I’m in my room, dressing in clean sweats and a white T-shirt. I notice that Charlie has stacked my folded clothes neatly on my bed and another grin splits my face. I put the clothes away before heading back to Charlie in the kitchen.
“God, that smells amazing,” I tell him as he sets the plates on the table, and I make my way over, running a hand through my damp hair. He gives me that dazzling smile again and I don’t miss the way his gaze lingers for just a moment on the sliver of skin peeking out when my shirt rises ever so slightly.
“It’s garlic and lemon chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans,” he tells me. “I hope you like it. It’s one of my favorites.”
“Thank you for doing this,” I say as we sit.
“I like cooking,” he replies as we dig in. “And I like feeling useful.”
“Thanks for doing the laundry, too,” I add. “I hate folding clothes.”
He grins at me. “Sorry I didn’t put them away. I wasn’t sure if I should be doing that part or not. You might not want me peeking around in your underwear drawer.”
