Page 63 of Plentywood
The look on Charlie’s face settled any question I had about how he’d react to Ben’s admission. The space between his eyebrows furrowed deeper than a canyon, and red painted his neck before racing straight to his forehead.
Ben had zero knowledge of my past with Charlie, and I didn’t have a reason to perhaps… brush over such a truth bomb. How could he know Charlie had been in love with me for as long as Mark had been? Not to mention the fact that Charlie had set his eyes on Ben and had just accompanied him to Missoula. I’m sure to take a shot at Ben before I woke up and did the same.
This was going to be an issue that would have to be confronted if Ben and I ever became more than friends. Or, if they became something instead. Charlie was sexy. There was no doubt Ben could be attracted to him. Who wouldn’t be? Hell, I’d been, and perhaps still would be, if we hadn’t fucked-up our chances by trying something so soon after Mark’s death.
“Sounds like Jennie,” Charlie hissed. “Always making sure to cut my ass outta the picture.”
“Be fair, Skeet,” I soothed. “Jennie Hayes is a good person.”
“Jennie Hayes is a conniving bitch,” he argued. “Hiding under her religion as some perfect angel. Bullshit! She knows what’s she doing. She just doesn’t want me to get my shot.”
“Come on, Skeet,” I said.
He laser focused on me. “You know something, sheriff? I’m kinda sick of you calling me Skeet like we’re all tight and friendly like,” he growled. “You never gave me a fair shot, so maybe I want in on whatever this is,” he said, gesturing between Ben andme. “Is this a date, doc?” he pushed. “Are you on an official date with the Sheriff here?”
I thought Ben would be shocked, or stunned, perhaps angry. His answer proved he could hold his own. “I’m not sure, Charlie,” he stated. “I’m going over to a patient’s house for dinner after an invite. She included Hunter, and he offered to drive. So, maybe it is a date.”
“I’m not sure it’s an actual date,” I contradicted. “You know how nice Jay and Jennie are. I’m sure they’re just wanting to welcome the new doctor.”
Charlie looked at both of us one more time. He did not appear satisfied with either attempt at clarification and tapped on the door’s edge. “Premium, right?” he mumbled, backing away. I nodded. “Coming up, sheriff. Anything else?”
I shook my head and handed him a hundred-dollar bill. “Thanks, Charlie.”
“Yeah. Sure thing,” he responded.
Thankfully, the gas cap was at the other end of the Tahoe. Ben and I sat silently in the cab while Charlie filled the tank, with neither of us willing to discuss the elephant in the room. After ten minutes of silence, Charlie came back with my change.
“Thanks, Charlie,” I said. “I appreciate it.”
“Sure,” he mumbled, turning and walking back into the station.
I turned the ignition key and waited for the Tahoe to come to life. After a few seconds, Ben remaining quiet, I pulled back onto the highway. Jay and Jennie lived a mile or so away, but I worried neither of us was in a good state of mind for dinner.
“Why did you do that?” Ben asked.
“What?”
“Why did you say that this wasn’t a date? You protected Charlie’s feelings,” he pointed out. “Which is nice, I guess, but why?”
“That’s a long story, Ben,” I whispered.
“One I’d prefer knowing if you ever want anactualdate. Aren’t that the words you used? ‘We’re not on an actual date.’ Wasn’t that it?”
“You’d go on an actual date with me?” I asked.
“Yes. Iactuallywould.”
“Charlie likes you, Ben. Or at least he doesn’t wantmeto like you. I’m not exactly sure, to be honest with you.”
“I’m sorry that Charlie’s feelings are hurt, Hunt,” he replied. “But I have a better question. Doyoulike me?”
I was silent for several seconds, worried whether I could seriously take the next step. Could I date another man? Would I be able to truly set my past life with Mark aside and discover a new relationship? Could I love again, or was this going to be another Charlie event in my life? I’d led Charlie on and fucked with his mind while I fucked through my pain. Would Ben be more of the same?
We pulled into Jay and Jennie’s driveway. I turned the Tahoe off and sat staring through the windshield. “Yes, I do like you, Ben.”
He remained quiet and still while we both took the news in. I was frozen in my seat after admitting I liked him. A lot.
Ben turned to face me. “Why don’t we go inside and see what Jennie has to say about all this?” he suggested. “Maybe she can help me figure out if I can move forward like you’re attempting to do.”
