Page 108 of All Tied Up

Neil found himself collapsing into his arms. It felt good to give his burdens to someone else for a moment. But that just reminded him of Sebastian’s embraces.

He gave himself a moment, and then stepped away. “Thank you.”

Levi grabbed his arm. “Now, come on over to the couch. You’re gonna tell us all about it and we’re going to make a plan.”

Neil found himself smiling, just a little bit.

He poured out everything, from Jamie’s first wink to the last look of devastation on Sebastian’s face. Levi and Saul both praised him for using his safeword during the first scene, so at least that part was alright. He didn’t tell them much about Henri, because it wasn’t his place to share, but they both shared his frustrations. And Neil could see Saul’s brain spinning when he considered the financial outcomes for the lodge.

When Neil had gotten everything out, he finally managed to eat a slice of pizza. It had gone cold, but it seemed like this was the first time he’d been hungry in days.

“So, any suggestions?” Neil finally asked.

“Draw up those contracts,” Saul suggested. “It sounds like Sebastian’s just overwhelmed. From everything you’re telling me, he’s going to call you back some time.”

“Really? You think so?”

Levi snorted. “Of course he’s going to call you back. Or Jamie will. You have to make s’mores with them.”

Neil shook his head. “They shut me out pretty quickly as soon as there was a real problem.”

“They’re not used to relying on you,” Levi told him with a rare show of solemnity. “And the last person they trusted with so much screwed them over. I think they’ll come back to you in time. But maybe you should just drive out there.”

Neil really considered it. Would he be an asset or was he just greedy for more of their time? He didn’t want to get in the way. And even more, he didn’t want to invade on the happy rhythm they’d found after Henri. They’d made an exception for him last week, but that was different from something more substantial.

So if they wanted him, they’d have to reach out first.

“No, I don’t think that’s wise,” he finally answered.

“Well, we’re here for you. Whatever you need,” Saul told him gently.

“Want to make s’mores?” Levi asked.

“Absolutely not. Ask me again in a year.”

“Chocolate, then?”

“Sure. Let’s have chocolate.”

17

Jamie

Jamie crossed the dark atrium, navigating the clusters of chairs as much by memory as the faint light of the moon and a few safety lights. The carpet muffed the sounds of his footsteps even without the hum of the fountain.

He wasn’t sure how late it was, but Daddy should have come up to bed hours ago. They were both exhausted, absolutely run ragged from trying to manage all of the clean-up from the storm and maintain regular customer service. Ty and Jamie had spent a whole day clearing out and mending the trail down to the river, only to find that part of the cliff face Jamie used for his classes had been washed away. That had led to another long day of testing the safety of the climb and marking new paths.

Jamie had always thought of Ty and Maria as good friends. True family. But it wasn’t until now that he really saw what that meant. Sebastian had told Ty that he might not be able to pay him past the end of this pay cycle, but he said he would stick with them through the rest of the summer. Maria had a daughter to support, but promised as many hours as she could give. Jamie was already thinking of all the ways he could find to repay them that didn’t actually involve cash.

Though he supposed once the Meadowlark was sold, there would probably be a good chunk left over. Maybe they could pay Ty and Maria then. Just one more thing to worry about.

With all the long hours, Jamie barely had time to see his partner, let alone get any of the Daddy time that he craved. He knew that they needed to talk about the future of the lodge, but the thing he wanted most right now was just for Daddy to fall asleep next to him in bed.

That wasn’t the only hole in his life, though. Every time Jamie walked through the atrium, he expected to see Neil typing in the corner. The kitchen seemed empty when Jamie came down for breakfast each morning. And even when Daddy eventually came to bed at some impossible hour, it still seemed too big.

Contrasting the beginning and end of the past week was like visions of heaven and hell. Those five days with Neil now seemed washed in a golden glow, like he’d brought sunshine with him and taken it when he left.

Jamie wanted to call him. Just to hear his voice. But he kept thinking that he would wait until the worst was over with the fallen tree and Daddy’s foul mood. Neil was supposed to be there for them to enjoy and pamper, part of the beauty of life instead of this endless exhaustion and despair.