AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Michael bristled. “We aren’t talking about that. We’ve got a common goal here in getting justice for Josiah, but that’s where it stops. We aren’t friends and never will be. Not after how you treated him and then tossed him away.”
His eyes narrowed briefly. “That’s fair. I’ll keep this professional from now on.”
“Good.”
McBride got into his car and left, and Michael took great pleasure in locking the front gate after him—even if locking it now felt more symbolic than for real safety. A car couldn’t roll up on the property but a person could sneak in unnoticed.
That afternoon, a retired electrician friend who owed Dad a favor came over and took a look at the electric fence system. He’d have to order a few replacement parts and check all the relay boxes along the line, but he could have it back online in a few days. Michael didn’t have a lot of extra cash to pay him, so he bartered for the parts and labor by promising to help patch a hole in his barn roof. Good deal all around.
After that, Michael drove to the nearest superstore and bought DIY home security systems for the house and trailer. The trailer was easy since it only had one door, but the house took a little longer. Even though no one had broken into either building, having them ready to arm if they wanted them made Michael feel a bit safer in his own home.
Josiah moved around that day more than Michael would have liked, but Josiah was the nurse and knew what he could handle. He also wasn’t the type to sit on his ass all day, which was why the house had always been perfectly clean since Josiah started working for them. Meals made, dishes done, bathroom sparkling, rugs vacuumed or beaten clean with a broom handle.
The left side of his forehead and eye were bruised in various shades of blue and purple. The swelling wasn’t too bad, thanks to frequent ice packs and Tylenol. He did have a long, narrow bruise on his pecs, which suggested he’d crashed into the side of a stall after being hit and before hitting the ground. Michael hated those bruises with a furious passion, even while their existence was proof of life. Josiah had been hurt and scared, but he was also alive and mending. And still very much a treasured part of Michael’s life.
Ramie Edwards surprised the hell out of him by showing up at five o’clock with takeout from Weston’s only diner. “Don’t tell my boss,” she said as she handed the plastic bag of foam cartons to Michael by the front gate. “Brand called and asked me to drop off dinner, and I didn’t think you guys would want greasy burgers and wings from the Roost.”
“This is amazing, thank you,” Michael replied, flabbergasted by the thoughtful gesture. “I’ll be sure to thank Brand, too. I was just going to raid the fridge for leftovers.”
“Well, I think this’ll be better. How’s Josiah?”
“Shaken but resting. Do you want to come in and say hello?”
“Nah, we aren’t really friends, and he needs his rest. I’ll see you both around, okay?”
“Of course. Thanks again.”
Dad and Josiah were both floored by the thoughtfulness of the food Ramie brought, and their trio squabbled a bit over who got which meal: chicken-fried steak, baked ziti, or meat loaf and gravy. The food was good, the company the best, and they ate on TV trays while watching sitcom reruns.
Michael insisted Josiah spend one more night in the house, and Josiah acquiesced quickly. He escorted Josiah to the trailer for clothes and toiletries, not caring if he seemed paranoid and overprotective. Josiah showered and changed in the downstairs bathroom, then retired upstairs to Michael’s room at eight, pale and exhausted. Michael wanted to stay with him, to hold him until he fell asleep.
He watched TV with Dad and played a game on his phone instead.
“That boy’s lucky to have you,” Dad said during a commercial break.
Michael paused his game. “He’s a friend who didn’t deserve what happened to him.”
“No, he didn’t, but that ain’t it. I might be old but I ain’t blind or dumb. You’ve taken a shine to him, and I expect he’s got a shine for you, too. I see how you two look at each other when you think I’m not paying attention.”
“Josiah is a great guy who deserves a great guy. Someone better than me.”
Dad let out a loud, wet raspberry. “Not many people better than you. Don’t let what that piece of crap Kenny did kill your confidence, Michael. That confidence got you the hell out of this town and into that big mansion you used to live in.”
“Confidence also lost me my relationship, my dog, and my creation.”
“Don’t confuse confidence with arrogance. Arrogance is what gets folks in trouble. Confidence gets what you want. Worked for that boy in that movie with the rock-eating giant you loved as a kid and wouldn’t stop watching.”
Michael stared, unsure what... Oh. “The NeverEnding Storyis your life lesson here?”
“Be confident. Got him through those laser-eyed statues.”
He remembered the scene and how scared he’d been for the movie’s lead as a child. The boy in the movie had needed confidence in his own abilities and in his self-worth in order to make it past a pair of deadly gatekeepers. And he’d done it. Was this huge bump in Michael’s own personal and professional lives his own battle with the sphinxes? His own test to see if he believed enough in himself to find his worth and be a hero?
He was nobody’s hero.
“Look, Michael, I’m gonna ask this plain because I think you and Josiah owe it to yourselves to be honest. Do you got feelings for him?”
“Yes.” Their shared kisses the other night slammed into his brain and wouldn’t go away. “I like him a lot, but I can’t promise him anything. Not if I’m staying or going or where I even want to be in a year.”
