Saving Each Other

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

I guess I must have dozed off during the night because I woke up to Juice shaking my foot. I was still on the couch but there was a blanket over me. "Janie, time to get up." He tells me softly and places a cup of coffee on the coffee table in front of me. "Thanks." I tell him. Sitting up on the couch, before I could say anything else Juice speaks up. "You dozed off during the movie and seemed like you were sleeping too good to disturb you. I covered you up and made sure the house was locked up." I look at him with a small smile "Thanks again. I guess I was more tired that I thought. Give me a few minutes and I will be ready to leave." I tell him.

Twenty minutes later we were headed out the door and getting in the car. "I'll go later today and get you a copy of the keys to the truck and the house. That way you will have them." I say pulling out of the driveway. "Thanks again Janie. I think last night was the first time in I don't know how long that I think I actually slept." He tells me and I see a blush on his face. "Juice, let me tell you something. We all have hard times and I was always told that no matter what you go through, it's how you come out of it that matters." I tell him this hoping it lifts his spirits a little. I can tell he is a sweet guy but seems a little lost. Maybe this is what he needs to find what he's looking for.

We pull onto the lot and before we get out of the car, I tell him to get the cooler out of the back seat. I packed him a lunch knowing he wouldn't do it himself out of pride. I just had that feeling. "What's in the cooler?" He asks. "Your lunch. I told you don't let me see you go without. There's enough for both of us and some drinks too. Lunch is at noon so we can talk a little more and get to know each other more." I tell him with a smile and all he does is smile back. Seems like the it was a little more genuine this time. I like seeing that smile on him.

Lunch rolls around and we are sitting at the picnic table talking about our lives and things we like and don't like. I don't think I have laughed that hard in a while. He really is goofy but I like that. I am starting to think hiring him was a good idea.

A little bit before closing, my friend Molly walks into the office. "Hey Janie." She says as she sits down in the chair beside me. "I see you finally hired a new guy. He's kinda hot." She tells me with a smirk on her face. "Molly! You do realize you are married right?" I asked her laughing. "Hey. I'm married, not dead. He is really hot. Please tell you plan on hitting that?" She asks me. "Really Mol?" I say. "Look, all I am saying is that you really need to get laid." She states playfully. Before I could respond, Juice comes to the door. "Hey Janie, Oh sorry. I didn't know you had company." He says seeing Molly sitting there. "No, it's okay, Juice. This is my friend Molly. Molly, this is Juice." I introduce him. He nods his head at her and turns to me, "Just wanted to let you know I have everything cleaned up and ready to head home when you are." "Okay. I won't be long. Just hang out a few while I finish up here." I tell him. He smiles and walks out of the office.

"Home?" She questions me. "Don't. He needed a place to stay so I am letting him crash in my spare room." I explain. "Girl, again, please tell me you are hitting that." She says again. "No. He just moved in last night. But I will say, he is really nice to look at." I say as a blush comes to my cheeks. "Wait, are you blushing? Do you like this guy?" She asks. "I don't know. He is just so easy to get along with. But look, I have to get closed up and head out. See you later?" "Yeah, call me tomorrow." She says walking out of the office.

I get things closed up and lock the office, getting into the car, Juice is smiling a little and being really quiet. I didn't say anything though until we got home. Walking inside the house, we take showers, get comfortable and order pizza. I finally had to ask. "Juice, what are you smiling so much about? Am I missing something?" I asked. "Nothing. Just feel like smiling." He tells me. "Bullshit." I reply. "Remember what I said about not keeping things from each other?" He finally looks me in the eyes and speaks. "I was standing outside the door when you and Molly were talking. I heard everything." My eyes went wide and I buried my head in my hands and leaned back against the kitchen counter. I could not believe he heard all that. He walks over to me and pulls my hands from my face. "It's okay. Look, it made me feel good that someone might actually think of me as more than just a fuck up. But if we are being honest, I am attracted to you too. I won't try anything so don't worry. But if anything ever does happy between us, it will be your call and you will be the one to make the first move. You are the first person in a long time to be nice to me. I am not going to screw that up." He tells me before leaning over and kissing my cheek. Before anything else could be said, the doorbell rang and he turns to get the pizzas.

We ate and watched some TV before turning in for the night to our respective bedrooms. Laying in bed I couldn't help but think about my conversation with Molly and then what Juice said. I really had a lot to think about.