Last Stop

Chapter sixteen

"Cameron!" I poke my head out from the barn, seeing Mr Jackson standing on the porch motioning my over "I need your help, son." I nod, jogging over to him as I pull my t-shirt back on. I follow him into the house. He leads me to the basement stairs explaining he wants to get the Christmas lights out so he can check all the bulbs work before putting them up next week. I help him carry the three very heavy boxes out. Joking with him the whole way down. We are checking the fourth pair when Spencer walks into the room, upon seeing us he colours spins around and hurries back up the stairs. I frown, it has been a week and he is still acting weird. 

"What is it this time?" Mr Jackson asks and I frown telling him I am unsure. He shakes his head as if this is our usual and I guess it is. We are constantly between okay and weird. "Why don't you head for town to get some extra bulbs." Mr Jackson says "Take Speck with you and you two can sort out whatever has him in balls of red cheeks."

I laugh, agreeing as I pull my keys out my pocket, heading to get Spencer who splutters upon the invitation but nods anyways as he silently follows me to my truck. 

"You aren't mad at me again right?" I ask  as we head for town. It is Saturday afternoon so town is relatively busy, meaning I have to circle around to find parking. 

"No," He squeaks and dare I say it is cute "Why would you think that."

I chuckle "Because you have been avoiding me like the plague. "I say as I pull into a spot that has just freed up outside the hardware. 

"No I haven't." I shake my head jumping out the car and heading for the other side of the truck. Opening his door as he seems to be frozen with his permanent red cheeks. "I haven't."

"Okay," I muse "You want to get out the truck?" He nods following me out into the store where he follows as I ask for the bulbs we need. After I have paid I ask him if I can show him something. I drive just out of town. Stopping at a part just off the road. I lead him into the woods, to a check out spot I found a few weeks into my stay here.

"Back in New York I had the top of my building to go whenever things got overwhelming at home. It happened more times than I would like. My mom was always getting her self into trouble. Sometimes it was all I could do to just get out before I did something stupid like flush her drugs down the toilet or call the cops. I worked by whole life to make sure everyone thought everything at home was fine but sometimes I nearly gave up." Now I wonder if I should have given up earlier, then I could have had this life.

I sigh not sure how this relates to anything but happy to get it off my chest. "I found this spot a few weeks into my stay and it sort of acts as the same, whenever the memories hit me too hard or I get off a tough phone call with my mother I come here to think." I say with a sigh "I am not sure what you are going through or if you want to talk about it but I am here if you want to."

He is silent as we both take in the view around us, it calms me and it seems to have the same effect on him "I figured out what it was." He says eventually and I turn to him, urging him to continue but not wanting to push him. "That weird affect you have on me." I wait not sure whether my heart is beating fast out of anticipation or nervousness. 

"Oh?" I ask and we walk closer subconsciously. "And what is that?"

"Just, I think My hate was misplaced." If he is trying to get at what I think he is trying to get to he is not getting off that easy. 

"And why is that?"

"Do I have to spell it out?" He asks not even meeting my eyes, cheeks red as tomatoes. My silence speaks and with a sigh he blurts out "Ithinkireallylikeyou."

"I don't think I got that." I say and he hits me in the chest as I chuckle, drawing him into an unexpected hug. He seems to sigh into the hug as I draw him close, loving the warmth that he emits. "I think I really like you too, Spencer." I whisper into his hair and I feel him smile against my chest. Right against my heart.

"Please stay." He whispers into the dark. My heart wrenches as I nod, not promising because I do not know what the future holds. 

"Does this mean you will continue turning girls who ask you to the dance down?" I ask and he laughs pulling away.

"Is that jealousy I detect Cameron?" He asks poking my chest. I grab his fingers pulling him forward so our faces are inches apart. I see his eyes filter to my lips as I smile.

"Maybe," I say "What do you say we take those bulbs back to your father?" He nods. As we head back to the truck I silently reach over and lace our fingers together. Loving the feeling of his small hands in mine. The comfort that they bring is indescribable. 

"I think I will keep turning girls down, the many many offers I get. "He says and I laugh, opening the door and shoving him inside. 

"You do that Spencer, you do that ." My chest feels like it could exit my body and take flight. What I said was true. I think I really really like Spencer and although it is amazing feeling it is also rather scary. Scary because the thought that it could be temporary for him is enough to cause my heart to squeeze until it pops and there is nothing left. Trust is earned and easily broken. Something I grew up learning.