11 Chapter 11
In the middle of all this, Buzz checked up on me, made sure I spent quality time with his crazy family, and fed me. Ry? He became a tower of strength, actually. We were now fanatical text buddies, and he would send me funny things during the day to keep my spirits up. When he wasn’t working, he’d gotten into the habit of getting my groceries and cleaning my apartment. I finally had to give him a key since he came over so often.
On Labor Day weekend, I worked all day and night Saturday on a paper that was due when I returned to school on Tuesday. Ry spent that whole time with me, making sure I ate something in between doing my laundry and watching movies. When I finally finished, I fell asleep, my head in his lap, and drooled all over his sweat pants. Or so he claimed when I woke up on Sunday morning with a crick in my neck. My mouth was dry, I’ll have you know. No drool in sight.
“You look like death warmed over, ten times,” he commented when I sat up, my hair sticking up every which way, I was sure. He handed me a cup of java he’d brewed just for me before sitting by my side on the couch.
“Thanks, I think.” I took a sip and moaned. “God, that’s awesome.”
He chuckled. “Glad you think so. Only the best instant coffee for you.”
“You sweet thing, you.” We had gotten to be very friendly with each other, too, over the months that had passed. He wasn’t perfect, and neither was I. And I was beginning to think that was okay. My fantasies of the perfect man had morphed into…Ry.
“Plans for the day?” he asked as he rested his feet on the table before us.
“Is there anything left to clean, or have you done it all?”
“Nope, you have a ‘housekeeping get free’ card for the rest of the weekend.”
I took another sip. “You have to work?”
“I’m off until Tuesday. I made a lot of promises and gave a pound of flesh, especially since I haven’t been there a year yet. I wouldn’t be denied.”
“Well, I’dfind it hard to deny you,” I murmured, then shut up. I didn’t need to be saying stuff like that right now, and I was half asleep as it was. Maybe he didn’t hear me.
He took away my mug. “Is that true?” Busted. “Because you’ve been keeping me at arm’s length for months.”
“Can you blame me?”
“No. Can you forgive me?”
“Already have. It’s just…I haven’t been with anyone since…you know.” I was afraid to look at him, ashamed.
A warm hand cupped my cheek and turned my head so I was in his line of sight. “Are you saying I’m the only guy you ever…?”
I swallowed and nodded. “Yeah.”
His thumb caressed my chin. “Why, Georgie?”
“No one seemed interested, and I…didn’t think I was worth a second glance, so why bother?”
His grip tightened ever so slightly. “You most definitely are worth a second glance, and a third and fourth. You remember what I told you?”
“About being proud to have me on your arm?” That statement had kept running around in my head, giving me hope.
He nodded. “It’s still true. Maybe I have to show you what I mean. We should go out somewhere, perhaps a club?” I shook my head. “Or a movie, maybe dinner?”
“Are you sure? I—”
“Fuck yeah, I’m sure. God, Georgie, you just don’t know, and maybe that’s one of the things I adore about you, strange as that may sound.” He leaned in and kissed my nose. “Okay. You go freshen up and I’ll make you breakfast. Pancakes okay?”
“Yes, please.” I bounced up, suddenly energized and ready to face the day. “Maybe we could go to the park or something? I feel like getting out, soaking up some sun. I’m pale enough as it is.”
“Sure. We’ll stop by my place on the way so I can get a change of clothes. I want you to see my house.”
“Cool.”
* * * *
An hour and a half later, full of pancakes, we parked in front of a tidy little bungalow with a bright green door and white walls, the yard filled with flowers.
“Ry, this place is gorgeous! So much better than my tiny apartment.”
He shrugged. “It’s home, and I love it. You’re welcome here anytime. Come on in while I get ready.”
I followed him inside and toured the house while he showered and dressed. The paintings on the wall were gorgeous landscapes. He had a huge TV and a large collection of movies. The furniture was worn in spots but well cared for. The deck in the back had a wonderful view of the city in the distance.
