Home Improvement — a Love Story

by Tara Lain

  Every cell in his body knew the second that Jerry looked up and saw him. Gabe didn’t look toward him, and Jerry wore the stupid sunglasses, but it was as if their eyes met and held in some kind of searing accusation.

  I wonder what he thinks. I wonder if he wonders what I think.

  Chapter Ten

  GABE STOOD on the sidewalk, not entirely sure how he got there, but then he fell into step beside Clark and tried not to look shell-shocked. They hurried across Main Street at the crosswalk and slipped into the ice cream shop, which landed them in a considerable line.

  As they stared into the glass case of ice cream flavors, Gabe forced a smile. “Dinner was great. Thank you for choosing such a terrific place.”

  “Glad you liked it. Wish you’d let me go through with my plan to take you out this evening.”

  He said the first thing that came to mind. “If we share, the money goes further.”

  Clark grinned. “Hmm. I could take that as a good sign that we might be sharing checks in the future.”

  Gabe laughed and hoped it didn’t sound phony. Bless her heart, at that moment the young ice cream server said, “You’re next. What would you like?”

  Gabe had barely looked. To Clark, he said, “What’s good?”

  “I like the Rocky Road.”

  Chocolate and marshmallows. Maybe not. He turned to the girl. “Anything to recommend?”

  “A lot of people like coconut crunch.”

  “Sounds like my kind of flavor. I’ll try it.”

  “Single scoop?”

  “Yes, please.”

  “Dish or cone?”

  “One of those waffle cones.”

  When she handed it to him, his eyes widened. “Uh, I asked for a single.”

  She grinned. “You got it.”

  It was huge. He took a lick. “Oh man, that’s good.”

  Clark said, “Told ya. Of course, anyone who doesn’t choose chocolate is still in their adolescence tastewise.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” He took another lick. “Whoa. I’ve got to bring Ellie here.”

  Clark produced his credit card. “At least let me treat you to a cone.”

  “Thank you.” As Clark paid, Gabe licked his cone and wandered what he hoped looked aimlessly to the window. He stared across the street toward the hotel and the restaurant. As he watched, the door to the restaurant opened and Jerry walked outside—alone. He looked in both directions through his sunglasses, then reached up and ripped them off and looked again.

  Half of Gabe wanted to run across the street yelling, “Here I am.” The winning half stood right where he was, his tongue suspended on its way to his ice cream cone.

  Clark walked up beside him. “Want to stay here and enjoy your ice cream or walk and lick at the same time.”

  Gabe stared out the window as Jerry’s shoulders visibly sagged and he turned and went back into the restaurant. Right, to his date. “I guess walking is a good idea.”

  Five minutes later, Gabe had eaten his cone, and they’d walked back through the park to Clark’s car. Gabe tossed his paper napkin in the trash and climbed into Clark’s Volvo.

  When they were both buckled in, Clark started the car and then looked at Gabe. “Where to?”

  Gabe swallowed. “Home, I guess. Ellie….” He drifted off because he couldn’t quite bring himself to blame it on her.

  Clark didn’t say anything; he just flipped into gear and took off toward the 5 Freeway. A couple of minutes into the drive, he turned up the radio, and Gabe was vaguely aware that music was playing as he stared into the dark.

  Before he knew it, Clark pulled up in front of Gabe’s house and stopped.

  Gabe blinked and glanced around. “Oh.”

  Clark looked at him with a smile.

  Gabe swallowed. “Would you like to come in? I can’t guarantee that Ellie’s not awake.”

  “I certainly wouldn’t mind seeing Ellie, but I have a feeling you’d just as soon I went on my way.”

  Gabe started to deny it—and stopped. “I’m sorry. It was a tough day, and I guess it wore me out.”

  “Tough day at the home improvement store?” Clark smiled when he said it, but Gabe met his eyes. It was the first time he’d gotten a hint of condescension from Clark. Maybe not surprising for a college professor evaluating a guy who worked in a retail store, but it still gave Gabe a weird feeling. Like he might not blame him, but he did.

  “Actually, a tough day working on a home renovation, but it’s all the same kind of stuff. Thanks for the evening. Sorry I wasn’t better company.” He opened the car door.

  “Gabe?”

  Gabe turned.

  “I didn’t really mean that the way it came out.”

  “No?” He paused. “Of course not, since you had to know what I did for a living when you asked me out. I kind of wondered what a college professor would see in a guy like me.” He grinned. “But then I know what a sexy beast I am. Thanks again.” He slid out of the car, closed the door, and walked into the house without looking back.

  When he opened the front door, Ellie looked up from her laptop. “Hey, Dad, aren’t you home early?” She gazed at him. “You okay? You look kind of shell-shocked. Did Clark turn out to be an a-hole? He seemed really nice.”

  “No, he was nice. I guess I just wasn’t into it. I’m not a very good date.”

  “What? I’m so fun to hang with I’ve wrecked you for attractive gay men?” She chuckled, and he laughed.

  “Must be it.” He cocked his head toward the bedroom. “I’m gonna go get out of my fashionable clothes.”

  “Well, you’re not quite ready for Christian Siriano, but you do look cute.”

  “I won’t spoil my image by asking who that is.” He walked to his bedroom, shut the door behind him, and leaned against it. Why do I feel this way? I chose to take offense at a comment from Clark that most days I’d ignore. He’s an attractive guy, and he went to a little trouble for the date. I blew it on purpose.

  He wiped a hand over his face. Who the hell was the guy with Jerry, and why do I care?

  He pulled off his clothes, forced himself to hang them up rather than throwing them over the arm of his chair, and yanked on his sweatpants and shirt. With a flip, he sat on the edge of his bed and stared into space until a tap on his door roused him. “It’s open, Ellie.”

  She stuck her head in, then pushed the door and let the rest of her follow. “Hey, Dad, what’s wrong?” She crossed to the corner, plopped in the chair, and folded her fingers patiently like she’d wait all night for answers. “You aren’t acting normal.”

  Reflexively, he started to say “nothing’s wrong” but stopped himself. Did he really want to tell his not-quite-seventeen-year-old daughter the truth? Or something like it? He let out a breath. “You know my client, Jerry?”

  “He who shall not be dissed for his weird hat because he might pay my college tuition?” Her dimples flashed.

  “Yes, that Jerry.”

  He must have paused too long because her mouth and eyes opened at the same time. “You like him.” It wasn’t a question. “You’ve got a thing for beanies.” She was keeping it light, but she looked really inquisitive.

  “I barely know why, but I do. I like him.”

  “You like him like that?” Her eyes really widened at the thought.

  “I’m not quite sure what ‘that’ is, but yeah, probably.”

  She crossed her arms. “You’re sure you don’t just feel sorry for him?”

  He frowned. “Why should I?”

  “Okay, if that’s not obvious, you must definitely be hung up on him. Strange cap, can’t talk to anyone but you, lives on pizza in a wreck of a house. Remember?”

  “Yeah, well I saw him tonight in an expensive restaurant with another guy also wearing a weird hat and sunglasses, so maybe it’s a frigging club.” A club Gabe didn’t belong to.

  “You’re kidding.”

  “No.”

  “There’re two of them?”
<
br />   “Apparently.”

  She raised her eyes, and this time they flooded with compassion. “That’s why you’re so upset.”

  Crap, he hated to admit it. “Yeah.”

  “So tomorrow, first thing, you go to his house and talk to him. Ask him so who’s the guy. Tell him you like him.” She chewed her lip. “Hey, he may have gotten the wrong idea about you. After all, you were with Clark. So you have as much explaining to do as he does.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Come on. You’re smart and a good talker. Look how much your customers love you. You can—”

  “He’s not there.” He cocked half a smile. “And thanks for the compliments.”

  “Where is he?”

  “No idea. I just know he’s supposed to be gone for five or six days at least.”

  “Hmm.” Her bottom lip disappeared between her teeth again. “You better call him. Otherwise, you’ll never sleep. Do you think he likes you?”

  “I’m not sure.” He knew Jerry’s cock seemed to like him, but that didn’t mean his brain or heart agreed.

  “Definitely, call him.”

  “And if he doesn’t answer?”

  “Text.”

  “What should I say?”

  She cocked her head. “You saw him with this other guy, right? Did he see you?”

  Gabe nodded.

  “And neither of you said anything?” She looked at him like he was five.

  “No. I didn’t want to embarrass him or anything.”

  “In other words, you had no clue what to say.”

  “Correct.”

  She leaned forward on her jeans-clad legs looking thoughtful. “So tell him you saw him and you’re sorry you didn’t say hello, but you didn’t want to interrupt his conversation. Say you’re looking forward to seeing him when he comes back. That way, he has a perfect opening to tell you who he was with and where he’s going.”

  “Or he might fire me and never speak to me again.”

  She sat up and spread her hands with a flourish. “Know what? Since your feelings aren’t platonic, it’s better to know now than to guess and jump to wrong conclusions.”

  “Don’t forget the college tuition.”

  “I’m getting a scholarship.”

  “You are?”

  “Of course. Brilliance runs in the family. Except you didn’t get any gay social skills, but they don’t give scholarships in that.” She grinned.

  “Damned shame.” He grinned back. She was right. His fingers itched to dial. “Okay, I’ll do it. Go away and let me die of shame on my own.”

  “You sure you don’t want me to supervise? Coach?”

  They were both laughing when his phone pinged with a new text. They both froze. He stammered, “Uh, it’s probably Harry or work.” Harry never texted him, and work seldom did. Gabe’s heart slammed.

  “Check it, quick.” Ellie leaned forward in the chair. Gabe gave her a quick glance, and she made a face. “Oh come on, I at least get to know if it’s Jerry.”

  He flicked his eyes toward his phone screen as if it was Medusa and he was about to be turned to stone. Another slam to the heart. “It is.”

  “Jerry?” She giggled with way too much excitement.

  He pointed toward the door. “Out. Let me take my text lashing in privacy.”

  “But you’re going to tell me what he says, right?” Am I? When he didn’t answer immediately she repeated, “Right?”

  “Right.”

  “Oh-kay.” She huffed as she rose, took a longing look toward his phone, and walked with heavy steps out of his bedroom.

  Gabe took a deep breath, then keyed in his code to wake up his phone and glanced away from the screen when the preview of the text message appeared. He clicked on home, then chose his text icon, saw the top message from Jerry, and clicked on it.

  Hi. Where did you go? I chased after you but you were gone. I wanted to introduce you to my brother.

  Gabe stared at the text, the word brother practically glowing like a neon sign. Still, it had taken Jerry a few minutes before he ran after Gabe, which reflected a little more uncertainty than the text suggested.

  He practically called Ellie for help, but decided he was a big gay boy and could manage a text by himself. Hell, it was probably just a text to a client.

  I didn’t want to intrude. Sorry to miss meeting him. His fingers paused; then he typed, Have you left on your trip?

  The bubbles danced and the answer came. Yes. Do you have everything you need to manage while I’m gone?

  Gabe snorted softly. He wanted to type, No. I don’t have any full lips to kiss or a world-class ass to squeeze. Instead he texted, Depends on what you want managed.

  Getting as much done on the house as possible.

  Gabe frowned. There are a lot of decisions to make. You sure you don’t want to be here for them?

  No. I want you to make them. Surprise me.

  What if I paint the living room chartreuse?

  Then you have to live with it.

  Can a man smile and frown at the same time? What the hell did that comment mean? Okay, no chartreuse.

  You have credit card. Use it. Make me more furniture too. Sure would like a place to sleep.

  Another one of those comments that exploded Gabe’s brain. Don’t have a key to house. Jerry usually left the door open, but hopefully he hadn’t done that this time.

  Left a key under the mat.

  First place a robber would look.

  What will they steal? Pizza boxes? They can’t lift my coffee table.

  Okay, I’ll try to get shit done.

  Counting on you. See you in about a week. Call if you need me.

  Just the thought of all the ways he could need Jerry made him sweat in his sweats. He typed, Likewise. Jerry could take that any way he wanted.

  Gabe waited, but no more texty bubbles bounced, and he finally gave up and slid his phone back into his pocket.

  A plaintive voice called from the other room, “You’re sure taking a long time. Are you crying? Should I come and take the pills from your hand?”

  He chuckled and walked down the hall to the living room where Ellie sat with her legs bent up in front of her on the chair, holding on to her knees. “So?”

  “Sooooo—” He walked to the couch and flopped on it, lying on his back.

  “Dad!”

  He grinned. “The guy he was with is his brother.”

  She let go of her knees and thrust herself forward. “No kidding?”

  “He said it was a shame I didn’t stop and say hello because he wanted to introduce me to his brother.”

  She waggled her eyebrows. “Sounds like he went out of his way to make sure you know it was his brother.”

  “Yeah, now that you mention it, he kind of did.”

  “Of course, if you’d stopped, you would have had to explain who you were with, and that would not have been a relative.”

  “True.” Weirdly, he’d been thinking so hard about who Jerry was with, he’d kind of forgotten he’d been on a date. I wonder what Jerry thought. Gabe gave him a few cool points. Of course, more likely it meant he didn’t care.

  Chapter Eleven

  “SO WHAT else did he say?” Ellie gazed raptly at Gabe.

  “Just business stuff. How he wants me to get as much done as I can while he’s gone.” He gave her a side-eyed look. “And how he wants me to make him more furniture.”

  “No shit?” She leaped up. The only thing she cared more about than Gabe’s social life was selling his furniture.

  “Ellie?”

  “News that good deserves an expletive or two.” She walked to the kitchen.

  He raised his voice so she could hear him. “Yeah. He specifically wants me to find him a bed.”

  “What’s he sleep on now?”

  “A mattress on the floor.”

  She leaned over the kitchen peninsula. “Want an ice cream?”

  “Had some tonight.”

  “Really?”
>
  “Went to Zoey’s.”

  “Oh yum. Should have brought me some.”

  “Seriously?”

  “No.” She sat back in the chair, chomping on an ice cream sandwich. “So Jerry’s a strange one. How’s he plan to pay for the bed?”

  Gabe shrugged, lying down. “He says use the card.”

  “Well I guess he wouldn’t cheat a man he was so anxious to have meet his bu-ro—ther.”

  He snorted. Truthfully, every time he used the card, he held his breath. So far so good.

  “So I gather the date wasn’t much?”

  He sighed softly. “I like Clark. He went to some trouble, made a reservation at Doves.”

  “Wow. He paid like Sir Galahad?”

  “He wanted to, but I paid half.”

  “You didn’t want to owe him.” She nodded sagely.

  “Well, it was an expensive place.”

  “You’re funny. I wish you could see the difference in your face when you talk about Clark versus when you talk about the beanie wearer.”

  “Clark’s nice, I just—”

  She held up a hand. “I get it. He’s pretty clean for you.”

  “Uh, haven’t I been taking enough showers or what?”

  “You know what I mean. He’s like white bread with no mustard. You like a little more sexual danger.”

  He sat up. “How would you know what I like? I never go out.” Right. He never got any sex, dangerous or not.

  “When you comment on actors or sports guys, they’re always the sexy ones with a little edge.”

  “So I like dirty beanies?”

  “I bet there’s a little danger under that hat.” She laughed, and the idea made him shift on the couch. She wiped her hands on the paper napkin she’d wrapped around her ice cream. “So remember that platform bed you made that they put on display at Sanderson’s Furniture to see if anybody would spring for handmade pieces?”

  He slowly nodded. “Yeah.”

  “I think that may just belong to Jerry.”

  “PUT THE mirror there, please.” Gabe pointed at the wall in the long master closet.

  Jorge stuck his head in. “Hey, Gabe, need to ask you something about the island.”