Four

Jack

My mind raced with the fact I'd finally gotten my own place, even if it was just a small apartment above a friend's garage, it was still mine. I thought I'd have some warning and some time to find something else, but now it looked like that wasn't going to happen. My breath sped up and I was covered in a cold sweat as my vision started to narrow, focusing on a can of motor oil I needed to put back that a customer had exchanged.

"Hey, are you okay?" I heard from a distance and tried to remember what the fuck I was doing here and where I needed to be.

"Yeah, fine. Just need to sit down," I finally managed to get out. As if by magic I was guided to the stool that was behind the counter and strong hands made sure I didn't fall off it while I tried to get my shit together.

"Sit right there. I'll get you some water," he said and all I could manage was a nod. I heard him rustling around in the cooler we kept a few drinks in next to the worms before he pressed a cold bottle into my hand. "Take a drink."

I tried to lift the bottle to my lips, but my hand was too weak. Once again strong hands helped me, and for once in my life I was happy for it. One taste wasn't enough, and I took control and drank nearly all of it. "I'm sorry, I don't know what happened," I said and wiped at my mouth with the back of my hand.

He knelt in front of me, and his blue eyes met mine. "I think you might have had a panic attack."

"I don't have panic attacks," I said, but really, I had no clue.

"Are you feeling better?" he asked, and even though I didn't know Hudson Carter at all, I could tell he was being sincere.

"Yeah. I guess I was just thinking about all the things that will change if this place closes."

"I'm going to do everything I can to avoid that. This place has been in my family for two generations and I don't want that to end." He glanced around at the interior of the small hardware store. It wasn't much, but it had everything we needed in Foggy Basin.

"I think I should start looking for another job now just in case. I just rented a place, and I don't want to give it up. You'd be surprised how hard it is to find a place to rent around here," I rambled.

"Don't do anything just yet. I'm sure my dad has made arrangements to pay you a severance if the place does close. But I know for a fact he'd rather see it stay open."

"I can't just wait to see what happens. If it closes, then I'm screwed." I was one of four brothers, two were younger than me and one older. My older brother Pete was away at college in Chico and both younger ones were still in high school. Dad was a building contractor and Mom ran the business side of the company. They were both very supportive and I knew they wouldn't mind if I moved home—but I would. I wanted to be independent and make it on my own. This job had helped me do that. While I was in high school and still living at home, I tried to save everything I could, first for a car and then for rent. Now it looked like I'd be unemployed sooner than I expected. He gave me a look I couldn't read and now that I actually looked at him, I could see the family resemblance. He'd left town before I was old enough to care about things like that but looking at him now, I wished I was a few years older, or possibly he was a few years younger.

"What are you thinking on so hard over there?" he asked and tipped his head.

"Trying to work out how long I can pay my rent with my savings."

Hudson stared at me for a second before stepping close enough to squeeze my shoulder. "I promise I'll make sure you're taken care of. Dad wouldn't just leave you high and dry. He's always talked about what a hard worker you are and how you've been running the place on your own for years." His eyes widened but I wasn't sure why before he cleared his throat. "He really does appreciate you, and I know he'll make it right."

I drew a deep breath and after making sure I was steady on my feet, I grabbed the bottle of cleaner and sprayed the counter down before wiping it off. "Sorry about your shirt," I mumbled.

"I'll forgive it," he said, and smiled. And holy shit did that smile change the way he looked. Gone was the stuffy man from the city, and here was a hot guy that was just old enough to make it interesting. When did I start liking older guys? Uh that would be right at this exact moment , I thought to myself and fought not to grin at my own nonsense. "What time do they get back from Woodland?"

"I'm not sure, they go early so maybe around five or six."

"How late are you open?" he asked and once more glanced around the place.

"We usually close at six."

"That's early, I've forgotten how different it is here."

"There're only a few businesses open after six," I said.

"Of course, the bars are open," both of us said at the same time. Yep, that fucking smile would be the death of me. "If you want, we can go get something to eat while you wait for them. The Blue Star Diner will be open." What the fuck was I doing? I didn't know this guy and I didn't owe him anything. His family had been amazing to me, but he wasn't a part of that. Then I remembered all the times his father, my boss, had told me everything he'd accomplished and how proud he and his wife were of their son. They wanted him to find his happiness no matter where that was, and if it didn't include the hardware store, they were fine with that. So why wasn't I?

"That sounds good. I just don't feel comfortable going into their house without them being there. It's the same house I grew up in, but since I moved away so long ago it feels very invasive to let myself in without asking first." I didn't really understand that, but I nodded like I did. "And if you're serious about eating that would be great."

"Let me finish what I was doing, and we'll leave just at six," I said.

"I can help with something," Hudson said and rolled up his shirt sleeves. "Just show me what you want me to do."

"This is easy enough," I said and handed him a broom.

"Perfect. I used to do this when I was a kid." He smiled at me again, and I would have sworn that sweeping up the hardware store had made him happy. That fucking grin. Head in the game, Jack, and off the hot older guy who I now couldn't stop looking at.