Finders Keepers
Chapter 7
Friday had been a long time coming, but now it was here Aaron wasn't so happy to see it. His head was all over the place still and his feelings towards Jackson had intensified the last few days. He knew he had no option but to leave because of those feelings but how could he now they were so strong? He kept telling himself it was just a stupid crush, one made worse by the fact he was spending so much time with Jackson, and that once he left it would die a quick death, but deep down he knew it wouldn't.
The past few days had been easier to get through than he thought they'd be, not nearly as awkward as he'd expected. Aaron knew that was down to Jackson, he hadn't treated him any differently, hadn't looked at him any differently. It was like the kiss hadn't happened... but it had and it might not have meant anything to Jackson, he might have been able to pass it off as nothing and forget about it, but he couldn't. He'd been horrified at first, couldn't believe he'd actually made a move on Jackson on another man. Now that the initial embarrassment had worn off, all he could think about was how it had made him feel at the time, it was like he'd been on some kind of a high
He could hear Jackson moving about his bedroom, knew he'd soon be joining him in the kitchen. They had an early start, Jackson wanting to be at Brier Beck for 7am. It wasn't so as to get ahead with work or even to catch up, it was just so they could finish early. This particular Friday night was a party night, one of Jackson's friends was throwing a birthday bash, Jackson was going and had invited him along. he'd told him he'd think about it, but he had no intentions of going, he would be going somewhere though... as far away as possible!
Jackson could get on with his life then, get back to normal. If he was honest he envied Jackson his life, his confidence, his determination, his drive. He'd built his business up from scratch, had a place of his own, he was his own man. Nothing seemed to scare him, nothing fazed him, he just got on with life, enjoyed his life. Would he ever be able to say that about himself? Would he one day look in the mirror and like who he saw there, would he be proud of the man looking back at him? He couldn't imagine it somehow, he couldn't believe that one day he'd like who he was, that he'd be happy in himself, in his own skin. Jackson had tried talking to him about being gay over the last few days, telling him about organisations, websites, places and people who offered advice and support, reminding him that he too was there for him, that he would do all he could to help get him to the point where he could openly say 'I'm gay'. Telling Jackson was one thing but as for telling the rest of the world? Like Jackson said he couldn't lie to himself but he was good at keeping secrets, at hiding things from people, covering things up. He'd been explaining away black eyes and split lips for years, he'd slept with a girl, snogged the face of a few others... if he could do all that without giving the game away then there was no reason why he couldn't continue to do so.
"Mornin','"
Why did Jackson always sound so upbeat? Even at half six in the morning he sounded full of the joys of spring, "Hi," he'd struggled to sound even half as cheerful. He knew his gaze had lingered a little too long on Jackson but he couldn't help it, he always looked good, even now when he was dressed in his work clobber, faded, tatty jeans and some jumper that had more holes in it than Swiss cheese.
"You ok?"
"Yeah fine, you?" He couldn't let on just how miserable he was.
"Yeah I'm good. You ready?"
"Ready, willing and able." He had to sound enthusiastic even if he wasn't. He got to his feet and put his mug in the sink, he'd wash it later, he'd make sure he left what had been his room this past week in good order too, he didn't want to give Jackson any reason to regret letting him stay.
/\\\ /\\\
It was lunch time, and they were parked up outside a chippy tucking into fish and chips, Jackson said he always had a chippy dinner on a Friday, that it helped line his stomach ready for some Friday night supping.
As they'd eaten Jackson's mobile had started ringing, after checking the number he'd set it on the dashboard leaving it to ring, "Harley again! How many times does he want telling I'm not interested?"
Aaron shifted uncomfortable in his seat, Jackson's words were a painful reminder of his noninterest in him too. Whereas he'd got the message it seemed Harley hadn't. Harley had rang Jackson to apologise for his behaviour the other night, it seemed he'd broken up with his boyfriend and had wanted to cry on Jackson's shoulder, in a subsequent call had admitted to still having feelings for Jackson, was wanting to give the relationship another go. Even though Jackson had told him he just wanted to keep it on a friendship level, Harley kept trying to change Jackson's mind.
Within minutes the phone was ringing again, "If it's him again I'll..." Jackson paused mid flow this time answering the call.
It obviously wasn't Harley, Jackson was being too polite for it to be him. He was apologising for something, promising to take care of whatever it was as soon as he possibly could.
Aaron could tell the call was work related and worrying it might be because of something he'd done asked, "Who was that?"
Tucking his phone into his pocket Jackson said, "The vet's wife, you know that job over in Emmerdale."
"Yeah, but you're not starting it until Monday."
"No, but my suppliers have just made a delivery there and she's not happy with where they've put it. We're going to have to go there and move it."
"When?" He didn't want to have to go to Emmerdale again.
"Now, well as soon as we've finished eating."
"Ok." There was no way he could get out of it.
"It shouldn't take long, best to keep her sweet, by the sound of her she wears the pants in that household, is the one that writes the cheques!"
/\\\
Aaron couldn't see a problem with where the bulding supplies had been left, it seemed the vet couldn't either, he'd come out and apologised to them, saying his wife had a lot on her mind right now and was picking fault with everything, including him. With a big grin on his face he told them he'd sent her in to Hotten for some therapy, retail therapy.
It had taken them a good half hour to move the stuff to the side of the house. It was physically heavy, sweat inducing work, and the vet, Paddy, had insisted they go inside and replace some fluids. He'd sat at the kitchen table with them, chatting away, like Jackson he never seemed short of something to say. Aaron couldn't help but like him even though he came across as a bit of a geek. Again because of the friendly banter, they'd stayed longer than intended, and even when Jackson finally made a move to leave, they'd ended up traipsing through the house to look at the 'in-patients', at one in particular that Paddy wanted them to see.
"He's been badly treated, I'm looking for a good home for him, putting the word around hoping there's someone out there willing to take him on. If you know of anyone let me know."
'He' was an Alsatian, and the dog was eyeing them warily from inside a large treatment cage. When Jackson took a step closer to him wanting a better look, the dog started to bare his teeth and growl, but all the time he was doing that he was trembling too, he was obviously scared and Aaron's heart went out to the animal.
"It's not going to be easy, could prove impossible but I don't want to euthanase him without giving him a fair chance."
"I'll ask around." Jackson promised, he would but after the dog's reaction to him he wasn't at all hopeful that anyone would want him.
The surgery phone was now ringing, as Paddy made to answer it he thanked them for coming and asked if they minded seeing themselves out.
Jackson led the way to the front door and Aaron's gaze swept around the room they were passing through for a second time. It was obviously the living room, it was bright and colourful with framed pictures placed here and there, a large, ornately framed one hung on a wall and it caught Aaron's eye. It was of a bride and groom, Paddy the groom and the bride... she actually looked familiar, the black hair, the dark eyes...
Aaron moved closer for a better look, his heart thundering in his chest as he did so. He told himself it couldn't be her, it couldn't be. It was years since he'd seen her and his dad had got rid of every last picture of her...all except the one Aaron had stored in his memory. The woman in the wedding picture looked like the woman in his memory, exactly like her.
Aaron suddenly felt sick. Paddy had been 'the other man', the one his mother had left his dad for!
Jackson had reached the van and was about to get in it when he realised Aaron was still in the house, he didn't think much of it until he heard shouting, and that Aaron's voice was the one raised in anger.
tbc