Something New

Chapter 5

A few days later, Beam had just finished work and was at his locker, to get out of his scrubs and change back into regular clothes and once that was done, he grabbed his bag and somehow that cursed business card fell right at his feet. He heaved a sigh, picked it up and stuffed it in his pocket because he did not want to deal with the emotions that might bring up.

After getting back home, he took a much-needed shower and just as he slipped into comfortable pajamas ready to drink some wine and relax on his couch, he saw the business card on his coffee table and wondered how the hell it even got there. He decided to ignore it and turned on his TV to watch some Netflix. He could not concentrate on the show at all because he felt like the card was mocking him and calling him a coward. It didn't help that the voice in his head sounded a lot like a certain tattooed guy.

A few minutes later, he couldn't take it anymore, so he grabbed the card and gave Forth a call and set up a date for him to come and look at the yard. On the other end of the line, Forth smiled to himself thinking that he couldn't wait to see that crazy, beautiful man again.

When the day finally arrived, Forth was cursing up a storm over the phone at Laem, his best friend. He was supposed to watch his dog, Racer, a golden retriever, but the idiot forgot about it and just called to say that he couldn't. Forth usually took Racer with him everywhere except for first meetings because he didn't like presuming that they would be fine with him bringing his dog along. Although, no one had ever not liked Racer because he was adorable and perfect, at least according to him. So Forth, having no other choice loaded Racer up in his truck and took him along. Knowing Beam, he did not want to risk rescheduling, because he might end up canceling it all together.

Meanwhile, Beam grabbed his laptop and set up shop in his living room to do some work while he waited for Forth to show up. Beam was startled when he heard loud rock musing blaring and it seemed like it was coming from his driveway, so he peeked through the window and saw a grey truck pull up and figured it was Forth. As he went to open the door, he caught himself checking his hair in the mirror and mumbled "what am I doing?" and opened the door to see a smiling Forth. But then he heard panting and looked down to see a big, shaggy dog at his feet.

Beam was shocked and said, "You have to leave him in the truck. I don't do dogs." Forth smirked and said, "Well, neither do I, we're just good friends." Beam was unamused and he rolled his eyes saying, "I guess I walked right into that one." Forth, trying to get him to smile, charmingly said, "Hi! How are you?" To which Beam just said, "I'm good." Forth's face then fell a little and he said, "So, you really don't like dogs huh?". Beam just replied, "It's just the dog hair is a lot, and I don't want to deal with dog hair on everything in my house."

Forth then sighed and turned to Racer, got on his knees and told him, "Well, you heard him bud. He doesn't want you in the house, so you've got to stay in the truck" and kissed his head. Racer whined pitifully but Forth just shook his head and said, "I'm sorry buddy. Them's the rules. Come on Race, in the truck you go" when Racer obediently got in the truck, Beam couldn't help but feel a little bad. Forth then petted him and said, "Good boy!" before running back up to Beam. But Beam just cleared his throat and said, "Umm, it's in the back." And gestured Forth to go around the house to the backyard. Forth did just that and met Beam at his back door.

Beam then surprised Forth when he said, "Thanks for coming and not holding my rudeness that day against me" and looked down like he was ashamed. Forth genuinely said, "I appreciate the apology" and looked at the dilapidated yard. It looked like a scene from a horror movie. It was full of dying trees and bushes and overgrown weeds with a gross old hot tub covered in algae.

Beam piped up and said, "Well, what do you think?". Forth walked further into the yard and said, "It's pretty bad, and one thing's for sure, you definitely need me." Beam let out a small laugh at that comment and Forth continued, "Just throwing out some ideas here, I saw you really taken by the fountain at P'Type's place, So, I'd say we make a fountain the focal point. That got Forth a big smile from Beam, dimples on full blast, "I love that!" he remarked, but the smile immediately dropped and he said, "I just bought this house and am still paying off the mortgage, so the electricity and maintenance, I don't think I..." Forth didn't let him finish, he cut him off and said, "no, no, we can make it work." Because he had just seen that amazing smile directed at him and he wanted it back on as soon as possible because it was a crime to hide those dimples. He continued, "A doctor, after a hard day's work saving people, needs to have a place where he can relax, and the soothing sounds of a water feature will create that." Beam liked what he was hearing, and he could almost picture it so he smiled big and said, "yes!"

Forth then turned to that eyesore of a hot tub and asked, "Now, do you need this?" while making a disgusted face. Beam chuckled and said, "not at all. That monstrosity was already there when I bought the house, and it needs to go." Forth nodded happily and said, "Alright! Gone. Then I was thinking a gazebo back here could be nice. We could drape it with vines and some wisteria." Beam was getting wrapped up in the excitement and his dark eyes glittered and Forth was captivated. He shook himself out of the trace and said, "You should check out my recent project, I used some interesting materials and made some great lighting choices." Beam who was still smiling said, "I'd love to see it."

Forth said, "Great! Are you free right now? We could go and see it." Beam just looked at him mouth agape, "Now?!" he exclaimed "I can't. I have way too much work. Don't you have pictures on your phone?" he asked. Forth just sighed and said, "Pictures won't do it justice. Come on it's literally 15 minutes from here, I could take you there and bring you back in less than an hour. Let's go."

A/N - Votes and comments fuel my soul because I'm a Validation Whore!  No, on a more serious note, I'd appreciate the feedback. Please and thank you!