Page 9 of Don’t Get Too Close

I wouldn’t want me to know his secrets either.

6

KACEN

Over the next few days, I didn’t see Ted at all. He left for work and came home…but never stopped by or spent any time outside.

I kept my distance like I’d promised but kept an eye out for him as I went about with my life, dealing with the other tenants and meeting the insurance adjuster.

As I suspected, the ancient trailer wasn’t worth fixing. There was too much structural damage to patch up, and the standing water was already causing mold to grow. There was no avoiding the fact that it had to be scrapped. When I broke the news to Ted, I expected him to freak out about his stuff and his space and…his privacy.

Instead, he just nodded like he knew this was coming. “Okay, so… What happens now?”

“Now I order you a new one.” I’d contacted a couple manufactured-home companies in the area and found one that had nice units in stock but could also haul away the old one for free. Well, that cost was probably built into the final price, but the insurance payout would cover 90% of it. Grandpa’s reserve account would cover the rest. “We have to wait until the rain stops and the ground dries out a bit, so that could take a few weeks, but in the meantime, you’re welcome to stay here.”

He side-eyed me and then nodded. “Okay. Wait here.”

I didn’t move an inch as the door gently shut without latching. Ted returned a few seconds later. “Here. I signed the new lease.”

“Oh, thank you.” I didn’t expect that. Honestly, I’d forgotten all about it. But I guess it made sense that Ted was holding off until he knew whether or not I’d even have a home for him to rent. “Do you have any questions?”

His eyes narrowed. “I’m locked in to this rent for the next year, right? You can’t change it just because it’s a new home?”

Shit. Was that what he’d been worried about? “Of course you’re locked in. I don’t plan to ever raise it. The replacement wasn’t your fault, and that’s what insurance is for. You have nothing to worry about.”

He exhaled a breath that sounded like relief and almost smiled. “Cool.”

There wasn’t much crime out where we were, so I started leaving the back door unlocked in case Ted needed anything. I didn’t actually expect him to wander up and ask to borrow a cup of sugar, but I felt better knowing he could.

And to my surprise, he did.

It was just after dark one evening when I heard a soft knock at the back door. I almost didn’t hear it over the sound of the water running in the sink, but I dried my hands and went to the door.

“Hey.” Ted stood on the step with his hands in his jeans pockets and his shoulders up around his ears like he was nervous about something. “You got a minute?”

“Yeah, of course.” I stepped back to let him in and did my best to seem indifferent about his visit, even though I was feeling some of my own nerves. “What’s up?”

Rather than taking a seat at my small table, Ted just stood near the counter with his arms crossed and his jaw working like he was chewing imaginary gum.

I wasn’t in any rush, so I pulled two glasses off the shelf and filled them with cold water from the fridge. “I have beer and soda too if you’d like it.”

“This is fine.” He nodded and accepted the glass I offered him. Instead of speaking, he chugged half the cold water then put it on the counter. “I’m not really sure how to say this…”

It was clear he was struggling to find the words he was looking for, and I hated that he was so uncomfortable around me. “You can tell me anything, Ted. I don’t judge, and I’m here to help. Just tell me what you need.”

He cleared his throat and sucked in a deep breath before starting again. “Well, the other day…when your shirt was wet…”

Fuck. I did remember it, but I didn’t want to. That moment still made my stomach clench with shame. “Um, yeah, and I’m sorry about that. I should’ve been more careful about what I was doing, and I hope I didn’t freak you out.”

“No, don’t be sorry.” He held up his hand to stop me, finally meeting my gaze instead of staring at the floor between us. “I wasn’t freaked out at all.”

“Oh, good.” I put my glass down and waited for him to keep going, curious now about the reason for his visit.

“I used to know a guy who did…you know.” His eyes dropped to my chest for a second before landing back on the floor. “It was a long time ago.”

He knew someone who lactated? That was interesting…and unexpected. I didn’t say anything as I kept my eyes locked on his face, not wanting to miss any reactions.

“We were kids and he was embarrassed. He kept it a secret for a while, but then he told me.” Ted’s eyes drifted to the window as if looking for something in his past. “Our foster dad found out and didn’t take it well. Beat the hell out of both of us like it was something we’d done wrong instead of just something Alex’s body did on its own.”