Page 42 of No Kind Words

“Are you going to tell Benny?” He fiddles with his lip again, an obvious nervous reaction.

“Do you want me to?” This is a heavy secret to keep from Benny, especially as he’s letting Roddy have his spare room.

Roddy’s chin wobbles, and he bites down on his lip, but with a tiny nod, he whispers, “Yes, but not when I’m here. I don’t want to hear it.”

“Okay, but he’s not going to think of you any differently, except how brave and strong you are.”

Roddy scoffs, muttering under his breath something that sounds very much like, ‘Yeah, right.’ I give him a smile. “Do you want to know why I invited you the first time I met you? It was because I saw myself in you. Because it could have been me. I grew up here. I haven’t been back for over fifteen years because of what happened. Ben was my boyfriend when I was eighteen, and he was twenty-five. No one knew I was gay. I had to keep it secret because my father was a violent, drunken arsehole. Homophobic doesn’t even cover his hatred. Anyway, he found out and took it out on me. The only reason I got to be able to go to university instead of being thrown out was my mother. She should have taken me to hospital, but she was afraid of what he would do to her. So she looked after me until I was well enough to leave. While I was never allowed to return, she made him pay for me to become a vet. I got to live with the consequences of not getting proper hospital care. I’ve only ever shared this with Ben, but I think you deserve to see it so you’ll understand why I wanted to help you.” I stand, pull my sweatshirt over my head, and turn my back to Roddy.

“Fucking hell. Shit, I’m sorry, Jet.”

Before we can say any more, the front door opens, and the dogs bark. Ben is home. He talks to the dogs, fussing them. “We’re in the kitchen,” I call out. I’ve tugged my top back down, and in an attempt to look like nothing dramatic has gone down, I put the kettle on.

Ben tilts his head on the pillow while I’ve got mine propped up in my hand. He looks as if he doesn’t want to believe me, but he knows it’s the truth. “What are we going to do? What’s the legal take on this? He’s only sixteen.”

“He’s old enough to leave home, but his parents are still responsible for him unless there are specific reasons they shouldn’t be. I think that’s the basics of it. There’s no way he can go home, and he doesn’t want to go to the police. He wants to stay with us.”

“I’m okay with that, but you’ve just got your home refurbished, and there’s not enough space for you and a teenager. Don’t look at me like that. You know I want you here, but is this the right way to decide to live together?”

I relax the scowl on my face. He’s right, but I don’t have the answer. I can’t get the cottage remodelled. I don’t have the cash for it, plus I love it there. I’ll have to talk to Drew. He may have some ideas that won’t cost an arm and a leg. “I know. I’ll see what can be done to the place without breaking the bank.”

It’s time to stop all the serious talk and get down to something way more fun. “No more talking.” I lean in and press a no-nonsense kiss on his mouth, telling him exactly what’s going to happen.

It takes a few rings before Drew answers his phone. “Jet, how are you?”

“I’m good, but I don’t think you’re going to be happy with me. Can you meet me at the cottage this evening?”

“Is there a problem?” Of course he sounds concerned.

“No, nothing that you’ve done. I’ll explain when I see you, if that’s okay?” I doubt there’s anything that can be done, but I’m no builder. It’s the cost I’m more worried about.

“I can do half past six. Is that any good?”

After that’s dealt with, I can get back to work. It’s hard leaving Roddy at the house, but he assures me he’s okay by himself. I think he’s enjoying dog-sitting and getting to watch the telly again. Having the chance to be his age.

Drew turns up bang on time, and as much as Roddy wants to hide, I remind him that as he’s going to stay here, he needs to meet people. With a nod, he agrees but sticks close to me, fiddling with his lip, the way he does whenever he gets nervous.

“Hi, Drew, thanks for coming down.” I give Roddy a gentle squeeze on his shoulder. “This is my friend Roddy. He’s going to be living with me.”

“Good to meet you, Roddy. Welcome to Calston Cove.” Drew raises his eyebrows. “You need more room.” He laughs. “I told you.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” I turn to Roddy. “Drew tried to persuade me to keep a spare room, but stubbornly I wanted as much space and light as I could.”

“Why don’t we just stay at Ben’s? There’s room for all of us.” Roddy asks without any whingeing, just interest.

Drew claps his hands. “Why don’t we have a look and see what’s possible?”

I’m in the kitchen finishing dinner when the guys come back in. It doesn’t sound as if Jethro’s very happy if the tone of his voice is anything to go by. They’re not arguing, though. It sounds like Roddy’s trying to explain something.

He’s first in the kitchen. “You talk to him, Benny. It doesn’t make sense to spend more money.”

“What’s the problem?” I wipe my hands on a tea towel and kiss Jethro’s cheek. I can guess, but I’ll wait for one of them to tell me.

“It won’t be easy or cheap to make another room.” Jethro pinches the bridge of his nose. “It’s not a quick job either and would make an awful mess. I’m pissed off because Drew suggested leaving one room for a spare or storage, and I ignored him.”

“And I told him we should just stay here. I don’t know why we can’t.” Roddy sits down with all the sullenness of a teenager. I withhold a smile but catch Jethro’s eye roll and laugh.

“I know we can, Roddy, but sometimes it’s nice to be apart. Ben and I are still new, and maybe living together is too soon.” It sounds like Jethro has explained this to him already. Maybe he’s right, but we won’t know until we try it.

---