Don't shut Me out
Disclaimer - Emmerdale has nothing to do with Me
The remodelling work on the practice attached to Smithy cottage was going well, they were three weeks into a scheduled twelve weeks of work, Jackson had won the contract, his quote wasn't the cheapest but the vet decided to hire him because he had sourced all the materials locally and as Paddy said "He didn't want a Botch it and Paste it merchant"
Aaron hadn't been happy and on the first morning had gone off to working grumbling that he'd never get any peace, Paddy had stood watching him walking away had shook his head and smiled at Jackson, the mechanic hadn't even acknowledged that he was there, Jackson too had watched him walking down the hill with his hands stuffed in his pockets. This situation remained until the third day when on his way to work he passed the builder struggling with some large pieces of timber he offered to help, had at first been declined only to end up carrying the timber onto the building site that used to be the vets practice.
It didn't take long for the locals to stop and have a quick word with the builder in passing, all commented on the amount of work he had got through, He smiled, passed the time of day with them but continued to work never getting distracted from his main aim. Pearl the vets friendly receptionist also kept him well supplied with tea and cakes commenting "Got to keep your strength up love" he smiled at Pearl as he tucked into a slice of cake.
By the end of the day Jackson was knackered he thought about stopping off at The Woolpack for a pint but in the end changed his mind and went straight home, Aaron was disappointed that the builder had already left when he got home that night, he was just entering Smithy cottage when Paddy came bustling out "Emergency calving don't know how long I'll be" and with that he climbed into his car and taken off to some farm in the middle of nowhere.
The mechanic had showered and was at a loose end so decided he'd go through and see how the remodelling was going, he had just walked into the extension when a phone started to ring, there were dust sheets and plastic sheets over counters but the ringing got louder as Aaron scrabbled to find and answer the phone
"Hello"
"Aaron is that you?"
"Jackson?"
"Yeah it's Me, just realised I couldn't find My phone, thought I might have dropped it somewhere at home but I've obviously left it on site"
"Do you need it? I could bring it over" Aaron tried not to get to hopeful but would like to spend some time with the builder
"It's My work phone, it tends to ring a lot, it has all my contacts on it"
"So you need it?"
The builder hesitated, "I'll drive back over to get it"
"NO" the mechanic almost shouted "Paddy's out on a call I'm at a loose end I'll bring it round to you"
"You sure " the older man questioned
"Positive, just need your address" the young mechanic smiled as he ended the call, turned picked up his coat and headed out of the door
Twenty five minutes later the mechanic found himself standing outside the address Jackson had given him waiting for the builder to answer the door, he'd rung the bell had heard Jackson shout "Just a minute" then the door was being pulled open and Aaron was greeted by the builder smiling at him, "Come in" Jackson was wearing tracky bottoms, tee shirt and was bare footed his hair was damp obviously recently out of the shower had stood back to let Aaron pass and as he did the younger man caught the aroma of something cooking it made his stomach rumble a reminder that he hadn't had anything to eat, Jackson must have heard because he was soon being shown in and the older man asked
"Are you hungry?"
"It's okay I'll get a pizza on the way home"
"Aaron" the builder sighed, again the younger mans stomach rumbled, that was enough for Jackson
"I've made Lasagne and you're going to eat it" the older man then disappeared into the kitchen, returning first with two beers and then with two plates of Lasagne and salad which he set down on the table "right, get it while it's hot"
The two men had finished their meal, were enjoying a beer, when Jackson's work phone started ringing in Aaron's pocket reminding the younger man why he was there, he retrieved the phone and handed it to Jackson who checked the display "I've got to take this it's possible work" with that he left the table to take the call.
Aaron took the opportunity to have a look around Jackson front room, the sofa had big comfy looking cushions, there was a massive TV in the corner of the room and a selection of films.
When Jackson returned he had two more beers in his hands, he motioned to Aaron who nodded acceptance of the new can, they then both sat on the sofa facing each other. The young mechanic went to speak looked into the deep brown eyes of the builder and totally forgot what he was going to say, he couldn't seem to look away it was like he was frozen, held captive in the chocolatey depths of the older mans eyes, he saw the builder move in towards him, knew he was going to kiss him but he was powerless to prevent it, it was only when he felt Jackson's lips against his own that he reacted, he clambered to his feet and ran out of the flat, He heard the older man call
"Aaron"
TBC
