Page 16 of Need Him
“She was.” Gareth blew out a breath. “Is there anything I can help with?”
“I just wanted to let you know I wouldn’t be around for a few days. I don’t know how long she’ll need help, but there’s no way she can run her landscaping business as she is.”
“Yeah, definitely. Okay, I’ll keep an eye on your place if you want?”
“Yes, please. I’m getting on the road now. I’ll let you know when I get there, and I’ll keep in touch to let you know timings and stuff like that.”
“Thanks.”
They didn’t have the closest of relationships, but Gareth still went for a hug—or rather a backslap—before his dad left, after saying no to a coffee for the road. Gareth saw him to the door, waved and ran up the stairs to find his phone. It was still in the armband holder from when he’d been jogging. He returned to the kitchen and, although it still had some charge, plugged it in to charge fully before he went to work, and pulled up the home screen. Sixteen missed calls and twelve texts. No wonder his dad was upset. Gareth was rarely out of contact, and Richard must’ve been worried sick after getting the news about Helen.
As he made his tea with one sugar, he thought about Ben again. It seemed he was in his thoughts every waking minute. Had Ben done as Gareth had asked and rested and slept? He hadn’t seen him that morning, at least that was something. Unless he hid in his office, in which case, Ben would need to be told about punishments.
He made some toast with marmalade and strode for his office, carrying his breakfast. The blog post awaited his finishing touches.
Two hours later, he was on his way to work to see if Ben was there. Well, he was going there to work, but seeing Ben was a plus. In some ways, he hoped Ben would be home already and getting some rest, but it would mean Gareth wouldn’t see him. Being selfish, he wished Ben was still there and waiting for him.
He got his wish.
When Gareth stepped into the stairwell of the store, he heard Ben before he saw him.
“—what the hell you think you’re playing at?”
“I didn’t think it mattered. I was trying to make it more streamlined—”
“It doesn’t matter what you were trying to do. You need to follow the plan. There is a set way that things need to be done, and you messed it up. Now the night shift is going to have to redo all your ‘work.’”
Gareth heard the air quotes even if they weren’t gestured. He followed the voices to the staff kitchen and found Ben facing off with a man who looked like he was going to lose his lunch. Not wanting to undermine Ben’s authority, he worked his way around the edge of the room until he was in Ben’s line of sight and out of the man’s. When Ben flicked his gaze over, Gareth made a slashing motion across his throat, telling him to stop in the only way he knew how without saying anything. Ben glared across at him, but Gareth stood his ground. He made the slashing motion again and, with his hands in front of his chest, mimed inhaling and exhaling.
Ben averted his gaze, but he saw him take a breath, the exhale heard across the room.
“I’m sor—” The man stopped when Ben glared at him.
“It’s the end of your shift,” Ben said with a more even tone. “Get some rest, and I’ll see you when you’re next in.”
The man hesitated and glanced over his shoulder, but Gareth turned to the staff noticeboard before he noticed him watching.
“Yes, sir.”
Gareth looked from his peripheral and saw the man leave, then they were alone. He swung around, leaning back against the wall and crossing his arms over his chest. Ben clenched and unclenched the hands resting at his sides, and Gareth gave him a moment.
“He deserved that and more,” Ben bit out.
“No, he didn’t.”
“He moved the products on an entire aisle around! I should’ve fired him!”
Gareth tilted his head. “Did you explain to him why he shouldn’t have done it before you yelled at him?”
Ben opened his mouth and snapped it shut again. His glare speared across the space between them.
“Maybe next time, explaining why it was wrong would be more beneficial than yelling.” Gareth held up his hands. “Just my two pence, though.”
He walked across to the kettle and switched it on. More tea was needed. He pulled two mugs from the cupboard and made tea for himself and coffee for Ben. When it was ready, he carried the coffee across the room and handed it to him. He hadn’t moved at all.
“Relax, Ben. Lessons learnt and all that.”
He returned to his tea and took it to a table by the window. Ben needed space to get his equilibrium back. He would either sit with Gareth or go to his office. Either was fine because it would be what Ben wanted, but heneededto realise someone had his back. And that someone was Gareth. No matter what happened or didn’t happen between them.
