When Justin woke up the next morning, every muscle in his body hurt. Rolling out of bed he put some clothes on. After checking his hair, brushing his teeth, he headed to find the very nice looking inn owner. Maybe he had some medicine for him.
Walking out of his room, Justin followed his nose into the kitchen where he saw Jc standing at the stove scrambling eggs.
"Smells great," Justin said standing in the doorway.
Jc looked over his shoulder and smiled. "Thanks. It will be ready soon."
"Hey, do you have any Tylenol I could have? Muscles are aching."
"Yea in my office. There's a first aide kit. Should be sitting just on my desk, I had used it yesterday. My office is just up the hallway."
"What did you need it yesterday for?"
"I cut my finger while putting the lights on the roof," he said holding up his finger.
"Ouch."
"Yea. Damn lights," Jc muttered.
Justin chuckled and turned around to go find the medicine. After finding it, he took them quickly then walked back to the kitchen. Jc had the food on the table and ready for him. He noticed right away the table was only set for one.
"Aren't you going to keep me company?" He said with a smile and sitting down.
Jc turned and stared at him. No one had ever asked him to join them.
"I..." Jc stuttered
"Come on you need to eat to. Don't you?"
"I..."
Justin laughed. "Sit. Eat."
Jc grabbed his plate and and silver wear and put it at the table across from Justin. Justin smiled wide, happy with himself. They both slowly started eating.
Jc kept his focus down on his plate. What the hell was his problem? He never had problems talking to anyone. He was nervous and he didn't know why.
Then he remembered that he needed to tell Justin what he had done that morning.
"I called the mechanic. He already picked up your car."
"Already? Damn that was fast," Justin said in surprise.
"I was up early."
"But I had woken you up late last night."
Jc laughed. "That don't matter to me. As soon as five rolls on the clock I am awake."
"Five? Jeez man. I could never wake up like that every day. I like my sleep."
"I do too but my body just wakes up. Internal alarm clocks suck."
"Well thanks for calling the mechanic. I appreciate it."
"No problem. Happy to help. He said he would look at it by this afternoon."
"Thank you. So what are your plans for the day?"
"Well I should cut some wood for the fire place. Then a few odd jobs here and there."
"Why isn't it busy here? Isn't this a ski town?"
"Yea it should be, but it's not a resort. People are looking for the high end way of staying. Not a crumbling town. There's a large resort about fifteen miles up the road."
"I would rather stay in a place like this."
"Hmm...interesting. You don't seem like that kind of type."
Justin cocked his head to the side. "And what type do I seem like?"
"The type to be someone high end," Jc laughed.
"I'm not. At all. What do you think I do for a living?"
"I'm afraid to say. I think I already offended you," Jc said shaking his head.
"You didn't. At all. I'm just curious."
"I see you as a suit and tie man. In a big office building. Making big changes to the world."
Justin couldn't help but laugh.
"You are half right and half wrong."
Jc's eyebrows raised.
"I use to be the man in a suit. Making big changes in the world. But not anymore. The last year I've been everything from a janitor to a construction worker, worked on a farm, and tutored kids after school. Just trying to get by. I need new scenery. Looking to move and start over. But I needed to take a break first, so that's why I'm here."
"You definitely came to the right place to get away."
"And what if I want to stay?"
"You won't find many jobs here," Jc said sadly.
"I bet I could find something," Justin said smiling.
"All you would find are odd jobs here like you were doing at home."
"I don't mind."
Jc looked down at his empty plate. "I need to get moving. If you need anything, my front desk clerk Tiffany will be in about an hour."
"Alright, thank you for breakfast."
"I can have lunch available if you want. Tiffany can get it around for you."
"I'm ok for lunch. I'm going to go check on my car and go around town."
Standing up Jc took care of his plate.
"Will you be here for dinner?"
"We will see what my day turns out to be. I'm not sure."
"Fair enough. Have a good day."
"You too. Don't work too hard."
Jc laughed and headed out of the kitchen. Justin finished his meal and took care of his plate. He went back to his room and got his coat then left.
Justin walked down the road to the mechanic. Walking into the garage he saw his car sitting there. It looked like it had been already looked at.
"You must be the out of towner," a man said walking up to him, wiping his greasy hands on a rag.
"That would be me."
"Well your car just needs a new alternator. I ordered one but it will be a few days."
"Alright that's fine. I was planning on staying anyway."
"You staying at the Bentwood Inn?"
"Yes."
"Best place to stay if you ask me. That big resort has been trying to shut him down for the past year. That place is a dump. Five stars my ass. Jc, he works hard to keep that bed and breakfast going. It was a hopping place before the resort moved in and took his thunder. Now he has to scrap by."
"Are you good friends with Jc?"
"Everyone knows Jc. He helps anyone and everyone."
"He seems like a good guy."
"The best. You're in good hands. I'm Greg, by the way."
Justin shook his head. "I'm Justin. Thanks again for getting my car."
"Not a problem. Let me get your number and when we are all done with it, I'll give you a call."
"Great."
Greg showed Justin to his office where he wrote down all of his information. He couldn't help but watch Justin carefully. He had his suspicions.
"What's your preference?"
"What?"
"I'm sorry I'm so blunt but...." Greg looked down at his desk almost ashamed.
"Yes I'm gay if that's what your trying to ask."
"Don't get involved with Jc. He's better left alone."
"I'd say thanks for your concern but it's none of your business."
"Jc has gone through enough in his life. He doesn't need some kid coming in and stirring it up."
"I'm not some kid."
"Look, I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be disrespectful. I'm just looking out for my friend."
"I respect and understand that. But I just met him. He's nice and has helped me out. I'm not expecting anything more than that."
"Alright. I will call when I get your car finished."
"Thank you."
Stuffing his hands into his pocket, Justin walked out and started down the street. He walked down the main road looking at the store fronts. He couldn't see how people couldn't love coming here. Anyone he had come across said hi and asked if they could do anything for him. They were all so pleasant. He liked it here.
As he headed back to bed and breakfast, he heard the noise of chopping wood. When he got closer he noticed Jc right away in the back swinging the ax. The man was truly a mystery to him. The only thing he really knew about him now was that he was gay. Otherwise Greg wouldn't have warned him earlier.
"Need some help?" Justin called when he got closer.
Jc swung the ax and chopped the piece of wood perfectly in two. He put it down and looked up at Justin, taking a breath to catch some air.
"Mister businessman knows how to chop wood?"
"I'm a man of random talents. Remember, I work odd jobs."
"You can take a swing at a few until I catch my breath," Jc said handing him the ax.
Justin took the ax and grabbed a piece of wood.
"Just be careful I don't want to explain to insurance why I had let one of my guest chop wood and get hurt from the ax."
"I'll make sure I don't take my leg off."
"Good," Jc said sitting down on a pile of wood, taking a deep breath.
"Need a drink?"
"I'm good thanks. I'm just old and tired."
"You don't look old. Can't be that old," he said taking a swing, expertly splitting the wood.
Jc shook his head. He had a feeling Justin really was one of those men that could do anything.
"I'm old enough. My body tells me so all the time."
All he could do was shake his head at Justin as he watched him get to work at the pile of wood. What he wouldn't give for another guy to help him out around the bed and breakfast. His eyes scanned down Justin's body. He couldn't deny that he had been attracted to him. That he had a daydream of touching the soft skin that was under all of his clothes. Damn he had a nice ass.
"Like what you see?"
Jc's eyes shot up to Justin's and a deep blush crept on his face. Damnit, he had been caught. Justin grinned and placed the ax down.
"I..." Jc stammered.
"The feeling is mutual by the way."
Justin went back to chopping the wood, leaving Jc's mouth hanging open.
"Jc I need help with something." A women's voice yelled from in the inn.
"Alright I'll be right there Tiffany," he said getting up. "You don't have to keep going if you don't want. Probably have enough."
Grabbing a few logs Jc made his way back into the inn. Justin couldn't help but watch him go. He could hear Greg's words running through his head. Grabbing a few more logs he headed into the inn. He was greeted with Jc's ass on a ladder trying to hang something. He tried stopping the groan but god it was hard not too.
"Jc what the hell are you thinking having a guest help you bring in wood. Please just put it down right here." The red headed women demanded pointing to the fire place.
"It's alright I don't mind," Justin said going over and putting the wood down.
"Tiffany why the hell am I putting this up? We have enough damn Christmas decorations up," Jc snapped.
"Just hang it boss and don't ask questions."
Jc grumbled more and hung the wreath above the fireplace. Justin couldn't help but get the impression that Jc was not a fan of Christmas. It made him wonder why.
Jc got down from the ladder and looked at the wreath. He shook his head then folded the ladder back up and took it outside to his shed. Justin looked at Tiffany who was fixing a few more decorations around the fireplace.
"Jc doesn't like Christmas?" He asked.
"Nope. Never has. Kills him to decorate the place every year but he does it. I just ignore all the grumbles and curses," she said with a laugh. "Come on you look cold there's hot chocolate in the kitchen."
Justin followed Tiffany to the kitchen where she gave him a cup of hot chocolate and a few cookies. They heard Jc come in grumbling. He walked past them to the sink and turned on the water, sticking his hand under.
"Damnit, damnit," Jc swore.
"What happened?" Justin asked.
"Pinched my finger in the ladder. It cut me. I'm fine."
"Again boss?" Tiffany said shaking her head.
"Just go get the first aid kit, please."
Tiffany left to go to the front. Justin took some paper towel and walked back to Jc. He turned off the water and grabbed Jc's hand. He wrapped the towel around his bleeding finger and put pressure on it.
"It's pretty deep Jc."
"It's fine," Jc grumbled.
"You know boss, if you keep hurting your fingers you won't have anyone to hang the beautiful Christmas decorations," Tiffany said walking in.
"Then I'll go chop them all off myself."
Justin gasped thinking he was dead serious, but Tiffany just laughed at him.
"It's a joke," Jc said relieving him.
Justin let go of his hand and rummaged through the kit to find a good enough band aid. Jc couldn't move away from him as Justin carefully and gently bandaged his finger.
"Thanks," Jc said softly when he was done.
"You're welcome."
Justin looked up and got sucked into Jc's bright blue eyes. Jc could feel him trying to figure out his story. So he blinked and moved away.
"I will be in my office. I have things to do," Jc said moving out of the kitchen.
"He's a little rough around the edges, but he has a good heart," Tiffany said once he was gone.
"What do you think he would say if I asked him for dinner? Saw the diner downtown."
"He would take you up on your offer, but he would make you dinner."
"I have a feeling he doesn't get taken out and treated to dinner very often."
"No. He doesn't," she agreed.
"Then I'll beg."
"Just bat those blue eyes and he'll do anything for you."
Justin laughed. Tiffany smiled at him then packed up the first aid kit and brought it back up front. Justin walked up to the front a few minutes later and leaned against the door way to Jc's office.
"Your finger going to be ok?" He asked.
Jc glanced up at him and smiled. "I think so."
"So..." Justin said looking down. "I thought about dinner tonight."
"You'll be around."
"Yea."
"I'll let Tiffany know."
"Well actually I wanted to take you out to dinner to the diner down the road."
"I can make you dinner."
"No I want to take you out."
"On what like a date?"
"No, as in two people who have nothing else better to do."
"We just met last night."
"So."
"Justin."
"As a thank you for letting me in at one in the morning. It's the least I can do."
Jc could tell Justin wasn't going to let this go. "Alright."
He looked up in time to see Justin smile big. Jc couldn't help but admire his smile. It was cute and it lit up his eyes. Quickly Jc scolded himself and looked back down at the papers in front of him.
"Good be ready by seven."
"You're pushy, you know that?"
"When there's something I want, yes."
Jc didn't have a chance to respond at his blunt remark before Justin turned around and walked out of the office. Jc let his head fall forward and hit the desk. He grunted. Everything in his head told him he should not go tonight. He was very attracted to Justin, there was no denying that. But the last thing he needed right now was a relationship. It made life complicated. Besides, Justin was here on a getaway. He would be going home soon enough and that would leave Jc alone.
The rest of the day Justin gave Jc his space. Let him work. The inn actually got a few more guests so Jc was going around making sure they were comfortable. Justin sat by the fireplace watching. He could see Jc was passionate about the inn.
At seven he knocked on the older mans apartment door. Jc opened it slowly and smiled.
"Hey you ready?" Justin asked.
"Yes."
He walked out then closed his door. Looking up he found Justin's blue eyes. Justin only smiled and pulled the zipper up on Jc's jacket.
"It's cold outside."
Jc shook his head when Justin turned around to leave. He really needed to stop his heart from racing otherwise it was going to be a long night. They walked down the street to the diner.
"Hey Jc." The waitress said when they walked in.
"Hey Ann."
"Your booth is open."
"Thanks. Hey, can we get two chocolate milk shakes."
"You got it."
"You come here often," Justin noticed.
"When I don't feel like cooking which is very often I come here. It's a small town Justin."
"I like small towns. I'm actually from a small town."
"Memphis is not a small town," Jc laughed.
Justin laughed with him. "No. But Millington is. It's just outside of Memphis. That's where I grew up."
Jc showed them to the booth he sat at every time. Justin sat across from the man he felt he was quickly falling in love with.
"So you grew up outside of Memphis. How did a country boy go into wearing a suit and tie?"
"Put myself on a fast track schedule. Four year collage then three years of law school. Worked my ass off. Then had a few bad cases and just needed to stop. I felt like I was turning into someone else. Someone I didn't like. I wasn't happy."
Jc nodded his head listening to Justin. "Always be true to yourself."
Soon the waitress brought them their milkshakes.
"You want your usual Jc?"
"Sure Ann. Do you know what you want Justin?"
"Just a cheeseburger and fries."
"Alright, it will be right up."
"So what is your usual?"
"Just a bowl of chili and some fries. So back to what you were saying. Did you get burned out?"
"Pretty much. I made some bad choices. Then just went off the deep end. So I quit and started doing random jobs. I was hurt in my last construction job. So I'm done for awhile."
Jc's eyes widened and shot up he stared at Justin. "You were hurt?"
"Yea. A beam came lose and fell on me. Nothing was broken I'm just bruised."
"Damn you're a lucky man. That could have killed you."
"I'm a strong bastard," Justin said with a large smile. It touched him the way Jc had reacted.
"You went to the hospital right? Got all checked out?"
"Yes I'm fit as ever. Just need some time to heal my bruises."
"You should be resting then."
"I do, I have. How long have you owned the Inn?"
"My whole life. It's been in the family a long time. It's all I know."
"That's pretty special. It's a beautiful inn."
"I try making improvements whenever I can. When ever the money isn't tight."
"What's your busy season?"
"Really all year, but this winter has been slower then normal. Summer is chaos. Everyone going to Yellowstone and Teton."
"I've never been to Yellowstone I hear it's beautiful."
"It is beautiful. I love going back packing."
"You go alone? Aren't there bears?"
Jc laughed. "Yes, I've had a few run ins with bears. You just need to know how to act. Best times to go is spring and fall when it's not so busy."
"I would like to go some time."
"You should come back."
"Who knows maybe I won't leave."
Ann came over and put their food down, interrupting their conversation.
"Enjoy boys."
"You having pie tonight?" She asked.
"You know I always do."
"I'll warm you two up a piece."
"You're too good to me," Jc said with a smile.
Ann smiled and ran her fingers through his hair. "How's the inn running?"
"Good. I wish it was a little busier."
"It looks beautiful as it does every year. You always out do yourself."
"No, Tiffany out does herself. I'm just told what to do."
Ann laughed. "Come over for Christmas dinner."
"Ann my dear you ask me that every year and every year I tell you no."
"And I'm hoping one of these years you will take me up on my offer."
"Maybe some day," he said with a smile then looking down at his food.
"Enjoy your meal boys," she said walking away.
"Why do you hate Christmas?" Justin asked quietly.
He looked up to catch Jc's stares and his sad eyes.
"I don't hate Christmas. Are you going to go skiing?"
"Thought about going tomorrow."
"I can give you some good mountains to go on."
"That would be great. How about you come with me?" Justin asked with a big grin.
"Hmm..." Jc hesitated.
"You obviously know how to ski if you're giving me good mountains. Or snowboarding. That's what I prefer actually."
"I snowboard," Jc agreed.
"Come with me in the morning."
He watched Jc hesitate and think it through in his head. Justin just waited patiently. And then Jc answered him.
"I'll come."
Justin smiled big. "Great!"
The conversation flowed through dinner. But Justin truly got the impression that Jc hated talking about himself. Every time he tried getting something out of him he changed the subject. He was only able to get bits and pieces out of him.
After eating their homemade apple pie and arguing over the check, which Justin ended up paying, they were on their way out of the diner.
"Going to snow again tonight," Jc said zipping his coat up and putting his hands in his pockets.
"How do you know?"
"It's in the air."
Justin gave him a stare.
"When you live in this area you just know," Jc said winking at him.
Justin looked ahead of them and could see the inn. The lights shinning in the dark. It truly was a beautiful sight.
"The inn does look beautiful."
"It looks like a ridiculous building with lights. I don't see why people make such a big deal."
"What do you do for Christmas?"
"Sit in my apartment."
"What about your family?"
"No family."
He looked at Justin and saw his eyebrows raise in question.
"What about you?" Jc asked, turning the question around to Justin.
"We have a big party with all the family. Parents are divorced but we still can get together and enjoy one another."
"That's always nice."
"You won't talk about it?" Justin asked quietly.
Jc shook his head no. "Not now Justin. I don't talk about me to many people."
"I'm easy to talk to," Justin whispered stopping Jc from walking any further.
"Justin, you don't know me."
"But I want to know you. I want to get to know you."
Jc shook his head. "Justin."
"I'll drop it."
"Thank you."
"For now," he said with a wink making Jc chuckle softly.
They walked the rest of the way back to the inn and Jc sent Tiffany home for the night. Justin went to the common room where a fire was going as Jc checked on a few things and spoke to the other guests. He sat down on the couch and waited. Then he thought of something. Quickly getting up he went to the kitchen. Justin grabbed some hot chocolate and a few cookies. Then he went back to the common room. A few minutes later Jc came walking in. He stopped dead in his tracks.
"Jeez took you long enough. You didn't think we were truly done yet."
"I guess not."
"Sit down before the hot chocolate turns to cold chocolate."
Jc couldn't help but smile. He sat down next to Justin and took the hot chocolate. The fire crackling and the heat coming from it was just what he needed. Taking a sip of the hot liquid, Jc looked out of the corner of his eye at Justin. He wasn't surprised to see Justin's blues locked on his.
"This is nice," Justin whispered.
"It is nice," Jc said quietly looking down at his cup.
Justin slowly ran his fingers through the dark hair. Jc felt his heart stop. His eyes closed.
"Josh."
Jc tried opening his mouth to say something but his mouth went dry. Swallowing thickly. No one called him Josh anymore.
"Justin."
Taking the mug Justin placed it on the table. Then lightly took Jc's chin into his fingers.
"I really had a good time tonight."
"Justin."
Justin could see Jc's eyes pleading to not go any further. The older man was scared shitless. Justin could see it all over his face. When Justin leaned forward, Jc couldn't move. He was literally frozen in place wondering what Justin was going to do.
He never moved his hand from Jc's chin as Justin placed a soft kiss on his cheek. Jc closed his eyes tight savoring the feel of Justin's lips on his skin. His heart was up his throat and pounding loudly. It had been so long since he had even been close to another man.
"It's been a really long time Justin."
"It's just like riding a bike. Once you fall off you can get right back up. Nothing changes."
"I...I don't know if I can do this," he whispered.
"We can go slow."
Jc pulled back and quickly stood up.
"I'll see you in the morning for snowboarding. Good night Justin."
Justin fell back against the couch as he watched Jc walk away. He blew out the air he had been holding and ran a hand through his short curls. What was he doing? Every time he was close to him he wanted to kiss him. He felt so at home with Jc. Justin sat for a good while watching the fire. Trying to understand the man that now had his heart. He knew it was too soon but every time he was close to him his heart went a mile a minute.
The rest of the night Jc hid in his office. Justin finally gave up and went to his room. The fact that Jc had told him he would see him in the morning for snowboarding, Justin found it as a good sign.
Story Tags: christmas
