Page 13 of Taking Chances in Cedarwood

“Are you sure? It should be full,” the man said. “I have money.”

“That’s what they all say,” she replied. “Either try a new card or come back with cash.”

How impolite!Andrew shifted to catch a view of the man trying to pay for his groceries. The voice was familiar.Cain?His friend stood, red-cheeked, at the register. Was he embarrassed? It sounded and looked like it. Andrew’s heart squeezed. He should help Cain.

“God,” the man in front of Andrew muttered. “People need to get their shit together.”

What an asshole.“I’ll get it.” Andrew stepped around the male shopper and swiped his card through the reader. “Should be fine.”

Cain’s eyes widened. “Fuck me.”

The charge went through, preventing Andrew from having any sort of response. Cain inched away from him. “Fuck.”

“Pay me back later,” Andrew said, and resumed his place in line.

“Yeah.” Cain accepted the receipt and pushed his cart of bagged groceries aside. He waited as Andrew made his way through the line. Once Andrew had paid for the cat food, he joined Cain near the exit.

“Are you okay?” Andrew asked. “Something go sideways?”

“No.” Cain’s blush intensified, and he averted his gaze. “Thanks.”

“No problem. Sometimes the card just isn’t refilled in time or the strip demagnetizes. It happens.” Andrew nodded to the door. “I’m happy to help.”

“Thanks.” Cain still didn’t look at him. “How have you been?”

“Good. You?” He walked alongside Cain through the parking lot. “How’s Liam?”

This time, Cain paled. “It’s not what you think.”

“Doesn’t matter what I think.” He didn’t know Liam well enough to pass judgment and it wasn’t Andrew’s business to say anything.

Cain stopped by a nondescript car. “We need to talk.”

“Sure.” He nodded to the cart. “You should get your things home. The frozen stuff will melt.”

“Oh, yeah. Follow me?” Cain asked. “Come over.”

“Can’t.” He had to get back to unload the cat food and let the dog out.

“I screwed up.”

“What?”

“I screwed up,” Cain repeated. “That’s why you won’t come over.”

“No, I need to get back and let the dog out.” He pointed to his cart. “I should take the cat food home because the cats will want dinner.” Not until tomorrow, but that didn’t matter right now. “I don’t eat the stuff, but the critters do, and they’re demanding.”

Cain offered a half-hearted chuckle. “I suppose they are. Sorry.”

“Why don’t you come out to the farm? I’m out on Webster Road, the Sunny Brooke Farm. Can’t miss the sign,” he said, the words tumbling out fast. He wanted to keep himself in check, but Cain had managed to disarm him again.

“Where is Webster Road?” Cain unlocked his car door. “I’ll be there.”

“South of town. It’s the first crossroads if you go down Route Eighty-Three. Hang a left at the road sign and go four miles. You’ll see the sign.” He flexed his hands on his cart. “I’ll be there all evening.”

“Since you live there, that’s probably good.”

“Yeah.” He wished he could help Cain relax, but then again, he wished he wasn’t wound so tightly around him. He gave in to his desire to touch Cain and hugged him. “Whatever you’re going through, I’m willing to listen.”

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