Page 11 of Hammered and Nailed
"Hmm?" I raised my eyebrows in a question.
"I was saying we should probably get moving and look at the damage."
"Oh, right. Definitely."
"Well, it’s all in the bedroom and bathroom back there. Feel free to look around." Margaret pointed in the direction of the damage and nodded. "I think I’ll stay right here and wait for your report, if that’s okay."
"Of course."
We made our way to the bedroom in question to check out the damage. When we entered, the needed work was clear. The roof had leaked, starting at the corner of the house and spreading into the center, so there was a major water stain and the drywall on the ceiling was sagging.
I nodded. "Right. We can handle this. Need to finish your place first, then we can come back. We should tarp the roof before we leave, though, so it doesn’t get any worse by the time we get back."
"Yeah, okay. Put me to work."
We reported back to Margaret before going outside and gathering everything we needed. It took us about an hour to climb on the roof and secure a tarp to prevent any further water from leaking in. Emerywasn’tvery handy, but did take instructions well, and that was helpful at least.
When we were finished, we found Margaret, who was knitting in her living room and listening to an audiobook—a spicy bodice-ripper by the sound of it. She turned it off when she spotted us, her cheeks flushing.
"Oh! Pretend you didn’t hear that. What’s the prognosis?"
"It’s definitely secure for now. We’ll be back as soon as the work is done at Emery’s cabin. Is that okay?"
"It’s more than okay. I can’t say enough times how thankful I am for your help." She stood and hugged us tight, one at a time, before shooing us out of her house. "Go on, now. I’ve got a book to listen to and you have better things to do than spend all day chatting with me."
Back in the car, Emery glanced at me as we headed out, bumping down Margaret’s rutted driveway. "It’s really nice of you, you know."
I raised my eyebrows. "Helping her?" When he nodded, I shrugged. "I like to help people when I can. I have the time and the skills. Why not help?"
Emery nodded again, a soft smile on his face. "I really like that." His voice sounded thick with emotion, as if he’d meant to say something else instead.
We made our way back to the cabin, and I was optimistic about getting some work done when I realized the weather had other plans. A storm looked to be rolling in and I wasnotexcited. Even though the roof was tarped off and the windows were boarded up, the incoming storm was going to make things more complicated—and potentially strip away our opportunity to work the next day. We worked as quickly as we could to close out the day, and when we’d done everything we could and the sun was setting, Emery announced he was calling it a night and went inside.
I took a quick dip in the lake before heading in for bed, thunder rumbling off in the distance. The thunderstorm was bringing a cold front with it, relieving the heat a little even if it did ratchet up the humidity, and the air was cool as I headed back inside.
By the time I put on basketball shorts and slid into bed, Emery’s breathing was deep and even, and he didn’t stir as I pulled the sheet over me. As I got into bed, I wished like hell there was aspare bedroom in good enough shape for me to use. I didn’t need much—a place to lay a sleeping bag, maybe. Okay, maybe not. I liked to live in comfort as much as the next guy.
I tossed and turned for a while, unable to settle down. Things had been getting, well, weird. Emery and I had been best friends for years and it had always been easy, comfortable. Since we’d been at the cabin, though, tension had built between us. Not angry tension, but… well, if I didn’t know better, I’d call it sexual tension. Ever since I’d spotted his lookalike in that video, I couldn’t stop thinking about Emery naked. When we were near each other, I wanted to touch him, and every time we touched, I wanted more. As I tried to sleep, I listened to the rumble of thunder, cracks of lightning, and rain hitting the tarp. A chill seeped into the bedroom and I pulled the blanket closer around my shoulders, willing myself to fall asleep. Finally, after what felt like hours, my brain and body settled down and I slept.
When I woke the next morning, my first thought was,Cozy.As in,Damn, this bed is cozy.Gradually, I became aware of what was so cozy about the bed, despite the chill in the air—Emery. He was resting his head on my chest, snuggled in against my side, the blankets pulled up around both of us. I was surprised to realize I didn’t mind it. At all. The secondthatthought hit me, my mind askedWhat ifheminds it?I had a gut desire to pull him closer—until I realized he probably wouldn’t appreciate that.
I tried carefully to slide my arm out from under him, to wiggle away without waking him, but it was no use. Emery burrowed closer and groaned softly, a sound that did something to me that I couldn’t quite identify—it stirred something deep in my gutand groin. Panic bubbled up inside me and I tried again to get away. As I did, Emery inhaled deeply and his eyes fluttered open.
He frowned and looked up at me. "Mason?"
"Hi."
"What…" He trailed off sleepily, his brow furrowed. I could practically see the wheels turning in his mind. I seized the moment and fully extricated myself from his hold before sitting up in bed, and as I slid away, his frown deepened. "What was that about?"
I shrugged. "Hell if I know. I woke up and you were all snuggled into my side. What was I supposed to do, throw you off?"
He gave me a cocky grin. "So, you decided to cuddle with me instead?"
I shoved his shoulder and rolled my eyes. "Fuck off." A beat passed. "We need to get up for the day."
"Seriously, though." He sounded hesitant.
"Yeah?"
