Chapter Ten

Ash

M y phone makes a notification sound. I gently set my guitar down in the back of the van where I'm sitting. Playing my guitar while overlooking the vast expanse of the sea has become my favorite thing to do when I'm not working for Marie. Two weeks have passed since I arrived in Hope, and the town has already left a lasting impression on me.

Initially, I was uncertain about whether I would stay in Hope or continue my journey. But, after completing my first shift and having the satisfaction of purchasing my own food at the end of that first day, it made me return the next day, and then the next. After a week, Marie offered me the opportunity to work for two days with pay, while the remaining days were still added to my food card. I felt great having some cash and being able to afford meals and necessities.

It's become a daily occurrence for someone new to come and introduce themselves to me when I'm in the store. Marie mentioned that the locals in town have a natural curiosity about meeting new faces. I've been told several times that some guy called Jaxon and I are known as flatlanders because of being newbies in town, although I haven't met him yet. Knowing that I'm not the only new person in town makes me feel slightly better about being here.

As the week passed, I opened up a little more to Marie. Although she isn't fully aware of my entire background with Mom and Rich, she knows about my living situation in the van. Showing her kindness again, she assured me she would be on the lookout for any affordable rooms that became available. In her own way, she's become a motherly figure, looking out for me and making sure I'm doing okay. She and Dan exemplify what it means to be amazing parents, and their daughter, Daisy, is fortunate to have two people who love her unconditionally. Unfortunately, not all of us are that lucky.

Another message comes through on my phone. When I pick it up, I notice two messages from Jace.

Jace:

Morning, how're things?

Hey, you ignoring me or something?

Morning! Nah, was just practicing.

Jace:

I miss your practice sessions. Davey was asking about you yesterday.

I miss playing for you! How's Dave? Did you go watch the new band last night?

Jace:

Davey's good, he said to say hi. I popped in to see the band. They ain't got nothing on you, but they were decent.

Well, you're biased! How's Jim?

Jace:

Dad's good. He said you texted him the other day. He misses you. We both do.

Aww, don't get sappy on me! LOL, I miss you both too, but this town has been good to me so far, so I'm gonna stay for a bit longer, see how things pan out.

Jace:

I'm real happy for you. Still sleeping in the van?

Yeah. I don't see that changing any time soon. Gonna take months for me to even save up a month's rent somewhere!

All our time camping has come in handy! Can't beat waking up to the sound of waves. You'd love it here.

Jace:

Send me another pic?

The green landscapes here are truly breathtaking. Cliffs surround me, and there is a narrow path close to my parking spot that leads down to the beach. It's deserted in this area; you'd assume more locals would be here enjoying it. But I suppose it's easy to become accustomed to something when you live so near to it and forget just how amazing it is. Some mornings, I spot a guy running along the cliffs, but he always turns back halfway to where I am. It's a good thing because I don't want him to catch sight of me here. The distance between us makes it impossible for me to determine if he's been in the store.

At the far end of the harbour's beach, I came across this hidden nook the first night I was here. While driving around, searching for an ideal overnight parking spot, I was immediately drawn to the unmistakable sound of water in the vicinity. I love being around water. It reminds me of all the camping I did with Jace at the creek, so it was an easy choice for me to set up here. It's tucked away from prying eyes, and so far, no one's seen me and asked me to leave. In the distance, off to the left, there's a big lighthouse. The light at the top always comes on each night as the sun sets, and the light it emits creates a beautiful glow that spreads across the sea.

I take a photo and send it to Jace. Unlike Perry, where everything is run down, everything here seems to thrive. I'm hoping the same goes for me.

Jace:

Looks amazing. Not jealous at all!

?? Gotta run. Work starts in 30. Don't wanna show up late.

Jace:

No problem. Text me later

Will do

I put my phone in my pocket and jump out of the van before carefully storing my guitar in its case and rolling up my sleeping bag. Thanks to the camping stove Jace lent me, I've been able to enjoy warm meals. To avoid drawing attention, I've been cooking while it's still light outside, ensuring that no one sees a flame. The only drawback to staying in the van is that the cold becomes biting overnight, and there's no way to light a fire for warmth. But it's a small price to pay for now, as I focus on resolving my living situation. I've had plenty of experience sleeping in the van. All I'm really missing is a shower. While it may not be the most ideal situation, washing outside of the van is the only solution for now.

In a rush, I switch into a pair of clean, black ripped jeans and a black tee, then hastily throw on a dark gray hoodie. The only expenses I've had so far are gas and using the laundromat in the neighboring town since this place doesn't have one. I took advantage of my day off last week to do some exploring.

I spray on some deodorant and slip my feet into my Vans. Using the car's side mirror, I comb my hair back and use a bit of gel to keep it neatly styled in a quaff. My bruises have mostly faded, leaving behind a few lingering yellow spots. Once I'm satisfied with my appearance, I hop into the van and turn on the engine. Hozier's ‘ Take Me to Church ' starts playing. Feeling like today is gonna be a great day, I sing along while driving into town.

"What time do you get off today?" Dan asks while he's putting on his red apron and walking over to me at the cashier's desk. One thing I love about him and Marie is that they both still work out front, even though they own the shop. They don't just sit in the office doing nothing.

I reach into my back pocket and retrieve my phone, glancing at the screen to see that I only have an hour left until I'm finished. "Seven tonight. And what about you?"

"I'm doing six till eleven. Marie will be busy delivering food parcels to the homeless shelter in the next town. She's just finishing up out the back. So, I'll be the one to lock up tonight."

"If you need me, I can stay on and help you?"

"I love a good worker," he tells me with a smile. "I'll be fine. You stick to your schedule, Ash, but thank you for offering."

I acknowledge him with a nod.

"I'm gonna go restock the green beans," he declares, heading toward the storeroom.

"If you need anything, just shout."

We rotate responsibilities, including restocking shelves, organizing the storeroom, and operating the checkout. It helps break up the day and prevents the feeling of being stuck doing the same thing all day.

Since the shop is currently quiet, I take the opportunity to replenish the bags at the cash register. I can't idle around. I need to stay productive. This way, I can still assist customers if anyone walks in.

The door swings open, and time seems to pause, like a scene from a movie where the wind playfully tousles the woman's hair, and the camera captures her body's graceful contours. In this case, there are two guys standing there—one with sandy-blond hair, dressed in blue jeans and a black tee, with white paint splattered up his arm. His height and size are slightly smaller compared to his companion, who's behind him. Their laughter carries through the store as blondie grabs a basket and makes his way down an aisle. This allows me to closely observe the guy with brown hair that falls to his shoulders and a beard framing his face. He possesses a body that's simply breathtaking; it's as if every muscle has been carefully carved from stone. His tight white T-shirt showcases his incredible physique. With legs that seem to stretch for miles, he resembles Zeus, the tight jeans accentuating his god-like figure. When he turns and hits me with a smile, a shiver runs down my spine. What the hell?

Startled by my body's reaction, I spin around, my heart pounding, and grab the box of bags. Why are my cheeks feeling warm? What's going on right now?

Marie approaches with her arms full, carrying a large box, which she puts on the register across from me. "He's quite impressive, isn't he?" she quips.

"Who?" I blurt.

"Mr. Big and Bulky who just walked in."

"Oh, right? I didn't notice." I try to act aloof, but Marie throws me a glance that says she's seeing right through me.

"It looks like you're drooling. You might wanna close your mouth." She chuckles.

My hand automatically moves to my mouth, wiping away any trace of guilt, but it's too late—she'd already caught me red-handed. Marie's eyes meet mine, and a knowing smile plays on her lips.

"Don't worry, I'm happily married, but I can still appreciate a good-looking guy when I see one!"

"I'm straight," I blurt, my words hanging awkwardly in the air. Not sure why I even said that, but here we are.

"I never said you weren't. You can still appreciate someone's looks, no matter what your sexuality is."

What is my sexual orientation? I've always identified as straight, and my previous experiences have only been with girls. The idea of being with a guy has never even occurred to me. I'm just not attracted to men. Maybe I'm getting sick; the chilly nights in the van are probably affecting me. I'm chalking up my earlier response to that.

"Oh, and his name, by the way, is Gage," Marie continues to tell me, her voice breaking through the haze of my thoughts. "The other guy is Max, but he's taken. His partner, Jaxon, is away at the moment."

"Wait, he's gay?" I ask, surprised.

"Indeed, he is. Do you have a problem with that?" she inquires, her face showing a slight frown.

"No way, not at all. I just come from a town where people are stuck in the past, so I haven't had many opportunities to meet openly gay people."

"Well, brace yourself, ‘cause two gay guys are on their way to meet you."

Two? So that means Mr. Easy on the Eyes is gay too? When I look over, Marie is right. They're coming straight toward the checkout, where I'm stationed.

In all honesty, I can sincerely say that I don't know anyone in Perry who is gay or identifies as any other sexuality other than heterosexual. It makes me realize how traditional a town Perry is.

At times, I've had the impression Jace might be into guys, but since he's always had girlfriends and never addressed it, I've been hesitant to broach the subject with him. I could be completely mistaken, but no matter what, he's still my best friend and his dating choices won't impact our friendship. For me, though, there's no doubt about it. I'm straight.

"Good evening, Marie." Blondie's cheerful voice rings out as he greets her.

"Evening, Max. What have you two been up to? You got paint all over ya."

The man who looks like he stepped straight out of Greek mythology walks up to the end of the checkout line and freezes, his eyes locked on me. Weird.

"I've been lending Gage a hand, sorting out his apartment. The smoke caused a good amount of damage."

"Oh, so does that mean you're doing repairs on the bar?" Marie directs her question toward Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome, who's still staring at me.

"Gage," she says, raising her voice, and he responds by shaking his head and turning his attention to her.

"Uh, no, it's not ready yet. It'll be a while before the place is open again. There's a lot of work to be done downstairs. But I was getting fed up with staying with Max because his constant pining over Jax is driving me insane." He smirks at his friend.

Blondie turns to me and says with an eye roll, "Don't mind him. I'm Max, by the way." He smiles in welcome, extending his hand for a handshake. "You're new here, right?"

Taking his hand in mine, I reply, "Yeah, I'm Ash,"

"Well, it's nice to meet you," he says, a warm smile still on his face. "I hope you've settled in. Where're ya staying?"

I don't want to discuss this right now while I'm in the middle of serving him, but I also don't want to come across as rude.

Marie saves me. "Ash is in between places right now. Do you have any suggestions for a place for him to stay?"

Max glances at Gage and says, "I know a place."

"Huh?" Gage looks dumbfounded.

"Sometimes, talking to you feels like banging my head against a brick wall," Max groans, brushing at his eyebrows.

I conceal my snicker and proceed to scan his items.

"Get your head out of your ass, man. We just spent all week painting your apartment. You know, that place you live in with two rooms. Ash here sounds like he could really use the spare room."

Whipping my head up, "What?"

"What a brilliant idea!" Marie exclaims, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "Why didn't I think of that?" Our eyes meet, and she gives me a playful wink.

I've got a feeling my boss is sneaky. Did she plan this?

Eventually, Mr. Quiet breaks his silence and mutters, "Yeah, sure. Why not?"

"Is that it?" Max replies, sighing audibly. They're a really odd pair, the two of them.

"What do you mean? I agreed, didn't I?" Gage shrugs, the muscles of his broad shoulders and beefy arms rippling. And... I was not just checking him out, because that would be weird, right?

"Did you breathe in too many paint fumes? No cocky joke or sarcastic reply?" Max shakes his head, a wry smile playing on his lips, before redirecting his attention to me. "Trust me, once you've truly experienced the real Gage and his cocky comebacks, you'll understand what I mean!"

Max and Gage are clearly good friends. It's clear from the playful banter Max was giving him. I think I might've just been given somewhere to stay, though, which is a relief. My head spins from the back-and-forth conversation, but I manage to maintain a smile as I tell Max, "The total comes to fifty-seven dollars."

Standing in front of me, Gage's height now dwarfs mine. He's a good bit taller than my five-foot-ten, and his muscular body only emphasizes the difference in size between us. His hazel eyes have an intensity that makes me feel like he can see right through me. It's making me a little uncomfortable, primarily because I can't quite figure out how he's affecting me. Gage's wavy brown hair falls perfectly as he combs his hand through it, his arm muscles flexing with each movement. Tattoos peek out beneath his T-shirt.

He hesitates, parting his lips as if on the verge of speaking, but then seems to decide against it and seals his mouth once more. Inquisitively, I raise my eyebrows. We stand there in silence, and as I scan his items, he suddenly says, "I like your hair."

That's kind of random, but okay. At least he's found his voice. "Thank you," I mumble, feeling the blush rise to my cheeks once more.

"Shit. I mean, I'm Gage," he blurts, offering his hand in the same way Max did. His lower arm, wrapped in a bandage, hints at a recent mishap. Our hands connect, and I can't help but notice the difference in size and texture. My long, slender fingers wrap around his larger palm, and I wonder if he can feel the roughness of my calloused skin from hours spent playing the guitar. We both stand there, his eyes locked onto mine, while I can't tear my gaze away from him, either. As we continue to hold hands, I feel a sense of uncertainty creeping in. Should I break away or should I stay? The longer we stay like this, holding hands, the more awkward it becomes. Looking over, I notice Max wearing a big grin on his face. Although I'm unsure of the reason behind his smile, there's a definite air of smugness about him.

"Can I get my hand back?" I finally ask.

Gage drops it abruptly and hastily wipes it on his jeans. "Sorry."

"No harm done," I reassure him. "I'm Ash, by the way. Also, you don't have to let me crash at your place. I'm good where—"

"No!" he interrupts me. "You're fine. Shit. I mean, it's fine." Max chuckles in the background while Gage continues, "You can stay with me. I actually own the bar down the road, Liquid Hope. Maybe you've seen the place?"

"Yeah, I know where it is."

"Great, well, I live there."

"You've already mentioned that." I smile. Why does he seem nervous? It can't possibly be because of me.

Max comes over and gives Gage a friendly pat on the back, teasingly stating, "I don't know what you've done to my friend here, but he's never been this quiet. You must have worked some magic!" He then bursts into laughter. "I like you. Anyone who can shut this big goon up is gonna be my friend."

"I'm just tired, so shut it," Gage quips, shrugging Max's hand off him.

With a hint of skepticism, he responds, "Sure thing, buddy."

"Anyway," Max adds, motioning toward Gage. "He's got a spare room where you can crash. I'm certain that the two of you can work out all the specifics later."

"Yeah, um, what time do you finish?" Gage inquires, scratching the back of his neck, his eyes darting around nervously.

"Seven."

"Well, that's great timing," Max says with a cheerful tone. "Swing by the bar when you're finished. I'm currently heading home, and I live right by the lighthouse." I wonder if he's the guy I've been seeing running.

"Alright, thanks. Does that work for you, Gage?"

Before he answers, Marie returns from taking her box to her car. "You boys got everything sorted?" she asks.

Gage clears his throat, a brief, raspy sound escaping him. "Yeah, all set."

After finishing up with his groceries, we agree to meet outside the bar at seven-fifteen. While I cash out the till, clock out, and grab my bag, Max and Gage assist Marie in loading the remaining boxes into her car. Deciding to skip buying dinner tonight so I don't keep Gage waiting, I make my way outside to the van.

It's amazing how quickly life can take a turn. Just this morning, I was resigned to spending another freezing night in the van, and now I have a warm place to stay. Albeit with a stranger. But what's the worst that could happen?