“I’ll take you to the fellowship hall so you can determine what you need for the space.”She rises following me into the hallway and we walk side by side chatting quietly when all of a sudden she stumbles into me.I catch her with an arm around her waist as she wraps her arms around my neck.
Just then I hear a throat clearing and a quietly simmering Cole is standing there, his fists clenching.“What's going on here?”He asks his attempt at faking calm sad at best.I'm caught in his angry green stare for a long moment before I realize I haven't answered.
“Madame Mayor tripped and I caught her.”I reply lamely
“Oh Caleb stop with the formality!Call me Charlotte.I mean after all we’re roomies now.”She says slapping my chest playfully.I right her to her feet stepping away to create distance.I don't know what a person looks like before spontaneous combustion but I imagine it's close to what Cole looks like right now.
I grasp my neck, “Charlotte and her staff will be working in the fellowship hall while the town hall is being repaired.”I attempt to placate him.A very minute amount of tension leaves him but I can tell he's still angry.
“I-I need to get back to work.”He growls then turns on his heel and stomps off.
“My he is high strung isn't he?”Charlotte comments threading her arm through mine.“Let's get to that tour shall we?”I walk with her to the fellowship hall as we discuss table placement.All I can think about is Cole.It wasn't just anger in his eyes, it was also hurt that he tried to mask.
I’m desperate to get to him but I don't want to make Charlotte suspicious, so I listen to her endless chatter until finally she steps outside to make a call.
I know where he is but as I approach the kitchen slowly, I can hear loud noises.As I enter Cole is slamming cabinets and throwing objects against the wall in frustration, I knock on the door frame to get his attention.
"Can we talk?"I ask.He shakes his head, turning his back towards me, his arms crossed over his chest.I come up behind him, standing close so that our bodies touch, and rest my hands on his upper arms.
He quickly turns around to face me, taking a step back to put space between us.His eyes are red-rimmed and show his hurt.His voice cracks as he asks, "Am I just an experiment to you?”He sniffles.“If you want her, then go be with her and leave me out of it."His voice breaks on the last word as he swipes at his nose angrily.
I pull him into my arms causing him to let his arms fall limply to his sides.I run my fingers through his silky curls, as he lays his head on my shoulder and I rub his back in soothing circles with my free hand.
“Shhhh, shhh, you're the only one I want, Angel,” I whisper into his hair.He pulls his head back, looking at me.
“Really?The mayor was all over you, and you had your arm around her," he says, implying it was more than what I said it was.
“Believe me, it was a moment out of context.It happened just as I described, she tripped, I caught her and you walked in.I assure you it's harmless.And have you forgotten I’m gay?”I say, attempting to soothe his anxiety.
“Maybe you're bi or pansexual and just think you're gay.”He protests and I smile.
“I am gay without a doubt,” I say, kissing the tip of his nose.
“Is she always that touchy?”Cole asks, nestling his head back on my shoulder.
“Not always no.She lost her husband in a terrible way this morning and I think she just needed a friend.”I say with a slight shrug.
“Her husband died?”Cole's eyes are wide with shock as he stares at me and I nod solemnly.
“Yes and the townhall has water and fire damage from a fire he set and the sprinkler systems.That's why she's going to be working in the buildingtemporarily.”I emphasize the last part as Cole tenses in my arms.
“I’m sorry I got so upset.It just scared me.”Cole mumbles burrowing into my chest.
“You never have to be sorry, Angel.”He looks up at me and I kiss his pouty lips.
“Caleb?”Charlotte calls from the hallway, Cole and I step a part just as Charlotte enters the kitchen.“Oh!Caleb, there you are!Everything is all set.We will be ready to start working the day after tomorrow.”
Twenty-Six
Cole
I Feel Like I’m Drowning - Two Feet
P
ushing open the door that leads to the fellowship hall, I'm hit with a wave of voices and movement that wasn't here yesterday.The normally quiet space has transformed overnight into what looks like a campaign headquarters, with people in formal attire rushing around with cardboard boxes and stacks of papers.Right in the center of it all stands Mayor Hendersen, her blonde curls catching the light as she points and directs her staff like a conductor leading an orchestra.
I press my back against the wall, trying to make myself invisible as I take in the chaos.The fellowship hall now looks like some corporate warzone.They've pushed the round tables to one side, creating a maze of makeshift workstations with extension cords snaking across the floor like vines.Someone's already hung a massive map of Baylee on the wall, with colorful pins stuck in various locations.
