Festive Hearts And Kisses (Hope Valley Christmas 2)

4. Jerry

JERRY

“Did I tell you Reed asked me about getting a cat?”

Sean glances up from the pan he’s stirring and frowns. “When?”

“A couple of weeks ago. End of March maybe?” I go back to scrolling through the images on my phone. I’m not sure what prompted the twenty questions Reed fired at me that morning. Something about the way he phrased things gave me the impression he had other things on his mind, but I’ve kept my promise and not pushed for him to talk about anything serious.

I don’t notice Sean has stopped what he’s doing until I look up from my phone to find him leaning against the worktop, arms folded, staring at me.

I frown. “What?”

“You talk to him a lot?” Sean asks, eyebrows raised.

I can’t tell what answer he’s hoping for, but it’s not like I’m about to lie to him either way.

“A bit.” I picture our text thread and sigh, because that’s a huge fucking understatement. “A lot, actually.” We might not talk every day, but it’s at least a few times a week, and not just the odd text. We have full-on conversations that would be a lot easier and quicker to have if we actually talked on the phone or FaceTimed, but for some reason I haven’t worked out yet, we stick to texting.

“Oh.”

It’s all Sean says, and if I’m not mistaken, he looks hurt .

“Is that a problem?”

He’s quick to shake his head. “Of course not.”

“But?” I prompt because I know there’s more.

“Neither of you mentioned it.” He shrugs. “Just thought you might’ve done, that’s all.” He turns to finish making the dinner he invited me over for. Lucky gets up from his bed and pads over to lie at his feet, like he can tell Sean needs him. He also manages to give me his best doggy glare, which I’d laugh at if I didn’t find it so cute.

Lucky is the goodest of good boys, loyal to a fault, and the fact he sensed Sean’s mood change means I know I’ve fucked up a little. Sean’s my best friend. There’s not a lot in our lives that we haven’t shared with each other, so I can see why he’s upset about this.

Especially since Reed was his friend first.

“I’m not sure why I’ve never mentioned it before now.” I mull it over in my head, but I can’t pinpoint any particular reason. “I guess at first I didn’t know if he’d reply to that initial message I sent or if anything would come of it.”

“But it has?”

I nod, my smile instant. “Yeah.”

His eyes narrow, the conclusion he’s jumping to blatantly obvious. And wrong.

“Not like that.” I point a finger at him. “You asked me to reach out and offer him friendship, someone outside his life who he could talk to if he wanted. So that’s what I did.”

He draws his lip between his teeth, considering my words. “You’re right. Sorry for getting weird about it. It took me by surprise, that’s all.”

I wave him off. “I should’ve told you. I don’t know why I haven’t.”

I can see his mind working overtime, and who knows what theories he’s about to come up with. Pretty sure I won’t want to hear any of them, so I nod at dinner bubbling away on the hob. “When’s food ready? I’m starving.”

Sean huffs, but my distraction works, and he busies himself dishing up the beef stew and dumplings that smell delicious.

I’ve almost forgotten the whole Reed conversation until we’re collapsed on Sean’s sofa, eyes closed, bellies full of food, when my phone chimes with a text notification.

I don’t need to look at the screen for confirmation, because I know .

I crack an eye open, and Sean is staring back at me. Like that text chime has pulled him out of his food coma and reminded him of our earlier conversation. My fingers itch to reach for my phone, and judging by the smirk Sean’s wearing, he knows it too.

It buzzes again, the screen lighting up with another message.

“You going to read that?” For someone who was almost comatose a second ago, Sean looks surprisingly wide awake now.

I ignore him and reach for my phone.

The first thing that pops up when I open the message is a picture of a skinny dark grey cat with a white patch on its chest and white paws. It’s stretching, reaching up against what I assume is the front of a cage in a cat shelter, because I can see a few more cats in the background.

Reed : I took your advice and contacted a couple of the local animal shelters.

Jerry : And?

Reed : This is Frank.

I snort. I’ve heard a shit ton of weird and wonderful names that people call their pets, but some of them never fail to amuse me.

Jerry : Who calls a cat Frank?

Reed : Ikr? They said I can change it but, idk, he seems pretty attached to it.

I laugh this time because when we spoke last, Reed said he was just going to have a look at the shelter. Maybe meet a few of the cats and see if he was still interested in getting one. Sounds to me like he’s already decided.

Jerry : Reed?

Reed : Yes?

Jerry : You’ve already adopted him haven’t you?

Reed : They’re coming out to do a home check tomorrow.

I shake my head, grinning at the screen as he sends me a flurry of texts.

Reed : I know I said I was only going to take a look at them, but they were all so fucking friendly. Purring and meowing when I went in to see them.

Reed : I was there for two hours. They even asked me if I fancied coming back at the weekend to play with the cats, because that’s apparently a thing you can do.

Reed : You’re laughing right now, aren’t you?

Jerry : Yes.

Reed : I don’t even care. It was awesome. I just wish I could take all of them home.

My grin softens out into an indulgent smile. I’ve always had a weakness for men who love animals.

Reed : Anyway I need to go. Got to have a tidy round for when they come round tomorrow.

Jerry : I’m sure it’ll be fine.

I’m not certain, but I vaguely remember Reed telling me at some point that he had a semi-detached house with a decent garden out the back. As long as he’s not near a main road or anything, I can’t see why they wouldn’t let him adopt a cat.

Reed : I hope so.

Jerry : Let me know how it goes.

Reed : Will do.

I’m smiling as I set my phone on the coffee table and almost jump when someone clears their throat.

Sean.

Fuck, I’d forgotten he was here, which is saying something since I’m at his house. I turn to face him, and yep, he’s staring back expectantly. His eyes seem far too knowing for my liking, and I’m not getting out of this without telling him the truth.

But I’m not going to volunteer the information. If he wants to know, he can ask.

We have a silent stare-off until I can’t take the quiet anymore. “What?”

Sean sighs. “I know it’s none of my business, but it’s killing me not to ask because I haven’t seen that look on your face in fucking ages.”

“What look?” I try to tame my smile, but it doesn’t work. Talking with Reed always puts me in a ridiculously good mood.

“Happy,” he fires back. “You look happy and light and... it suits you,” he adds softly.

He’s not wrong. But this isn’t what he thinks it is. “We’re friends. That’s all.”

His gaze shifts to my phone, then back to me. “Reed?”

“Yep.”

He opens his mouth, then stops, and a thought strikes me.

“Does it bother you?”

“You and Reed?”

I roll my eyes at the way he says it. “Me and Reed being friends .”

“Of course it doesn’t bother me.” He nudges my shoulder. “And it wouldn’t bother me if you decided to be something more, either.”

“Sean—”

He holds his hands up. “I’m just saying. You’re both great guys. Maybe something to think about.”

“M-hmm.” Definitely not going to be thinking about that. For one thing, Reed was very clear about not wanting to get involved with anyone. And even if he changes his mind and decides that he’s interested in me, it’s not like he’s round the corner.

Granted Worcester is only two and a half hours away, but I work long and sometimes unsociable hours. And I’m on call a lot. I couldn’t expect him to be the one doing all the travelling. It wouldn’t be fair.

It’s not lost on me that none of my arguments are that I don’t want to. But it’s never going to happen, so the point is moot.

I’m just finishing up at the surgery when my phone rings. I glance at the screen and am surprised to see Reed’s name. We don’t do this. We don’t call each other, we text.

I’m not sure why I’m so hesitant to answer it, but I wait so long the ringing stops, and then I’m cursing myself for being an idiot. It’s just a phone call, jeez. I snatch up the phone and call him back, ignoring the butterflies going crazy in my belly.

“Hey,” Reed answers immediately. “I didn’t interrupt anything, did I?”

It’s a good job he can’t see me, because just hearing his voice has me smiling. “Nope. I’m just about done for the day.”

“You’re still at work?”

“Yeah, it’s later than I normally stay, but we had an emergency come in.”

There’s a pause, like he doesn’t know whether to ask or not, then, “Everything okay?”

“Oh yeah,” I hurry to reassure him. “A cat got hit by a car, but thankfully nothing we can’t fix.”

I hear his sigh of relief and grin. Such a softie. “Talking of cats,” I prompt, because I still haven’t heard anything about his new arrival.

“That’s why I’m calling. Can we FaceTime? I want to show you.”

“Er...” I catch a glance of my reflection on one of the windows. Like I said, it’s been a long day, and I’m not exactly looking my best.

But you’re just friends. What does it matter?

That voice in my head sounds an awful lot like Sean—both teasing and curious.

“It’s okay if you don’t?—”

“Yeah, it’s fine.” I interrupt him because there’s no missing the disappointment in his voice, and I’m not being responsible for that. My vanity can fuck right off.

“You sure?”

“Absolutely. I can’t wait to see this cat of yours.”

He ends the call, and I lean against the counter, waiting for him to FaceTime me back.

I’m so not prepared when his beaming face suddenly fills my screen.

“Hey.” Reed’s smile is instant, reaching all the way to his eyes so they crinkle at the corners. Fuck me, I’ve forgotten how hot he is. Especially when he’s all excited like he is now.

“Hey.” My voice is steady at least, because my heart has decided to have a party in my chest.

We stare at each other for a beat too long, and I’m starting to get paranoid about what he sees when he looks at me. “Show me this cat of yours then.”

“Oh, right.” He blinks and seems to shake himself, then the camera switches and I get a good look at his hallway as he walks through his house. “He’s in here.”

He pans around the living room, and I smother a laugh at the amount of stuff he’s obviously just bought for his cat.

There’s a fancy-looking cat tree with about four levels, a cat bed that looks extremely comfortable and expensive, and a load of toys scattered about the floor.

“Wow,” I murmur, not able to help myself.

The camera switches again, and there’s now a blush colouring his cheeks. “I sort of got carried away. I bet you think I’m ridiculous, don’t you?”

“Not at all. Cats need stimulation. Frank’s going to be one happy cat.”

“Well...” His smile returns, and I get a moment to admire it before he flips the camera again.

This time I do laugh, because in typical cat fashion, Frank has ignored everything bought for him and is curled up in the middle of the sofa on... “Is that one of your hoodies?”

“Yep. I took it off while I set up the cat tree, turned around, and there he was.”

The camera flips again as Reed settles down on the sofa next to his new housemate. “Obviously I can’t move him now he’s asleep.”

“Obviously.”

Sarah chooses that moment to pop her head around the door. “Are you almost done?”

She’s stayed late with me, and I’m suddenly conscious that she’s waiting for me to finish up so we can both leave.

“Sorry,” she mouths when she sees I’m on the phone.

I shake my head. “It’s fine,” I tell her, then, “Hey, Reed. Can I call you back in a sec?”

He must realise that someone’s come into the room because he nods quickly, and says, “yeah, course.” Then he ends the call.

I usher Sarah out the door and we lock up and set all the alarms. She’s a local, so she walks to walk, but it’s late and she’s more than happy to accept my offer of a lift home.

It’s over an hour later when I finally get the chance to FaceTime Reed back.

He answers after a couple of rings. “Hey.”

It takes me a moment to reply, because I’m stuck on the fact that he’s in bed. “Hey,” I manage. “We can talk tomorrow if you’re tired.” He’s wearing a soft-looking grey T-shirt, and he looks so comfy nestled against his pillows.

“No, it’s fine.” He glances at something off camera, then smirks. “Oh, let me show you this...”

My heart stops, and for one split second, I think he’s going to show me?—

His cat.

Fuck.

I chuckle, shaking my head as he zooms the camera in on Frank.

“Look at him,” Reed croons.

He’s stretched out, pressed against the length of Reed’s thigh. Unfortunately, Reed’s lying on top of the quilt, and with the way he’s got the camera pointed, it also gives me a great view of something else.

The grey- and black-checked pyjama bottoms he’s got on are pulled taut and do very little to hide the outline of his cock. His very substantial-looking cock.

I take a deep breath and force my gaze away and focus on his cat. “He seems to have made himself at home.” If my voice comes out rougher than normal, Reed doesn’t notice.

“Yeah,” he whispers and strokes a hand over Frank’s back, fingers tangling in his fur. Frank lets out a soft little meow and curls his paws in, like being stroked by Reed is the best thing ever.

I just bet it is.

Nope. I refuse to be jealous of a cat.

Friends , I remind myself.

Just friends.

The camera switches again and Reed’s face appears. His eyes have a soft look to them. I know it’s because he’s still watching his newly rescued cat, but it lingers for a second when he looks back at me and my heart skips a beat.

It’s gone in the time it takes him to blink, and I try not to feel disappointed. It’s just been a while since someone looked at me like that.

Reed yawns then, setting me off, and we both laugh.

“It’s late,” he says, running a hand through his hair. “We should get some sleep.”

He’s right, but I’m reluctant to let him go. We’ve never FaceTimed before, we’ve never even called each other before tonight, and I don’t know if this is going to be a one-off because he wanted to show me his cat.

I hope it isn’t.

I like having this connection. It’s way more personal than a text message and reminds me who it is I’m talking to.

But Reed yawns again, and when I look a little closer, it’s easy to see the faint dark circles under his eyes. Is he not sleeping? It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask him if he’s ready to talk about whatever it is that’s weighing on him heavily enough to affect his sleep.

I don’t though, because I’ve already told him I won’t pressure him to tell me, and I meant it. Doesn’t mean I can’t remind him of my offer.

“It was good talking to you. Face to face,” I add.

“It was.” He smiles.

It makes my stomach swoop a little, and I really need to end the call before any of it shows on my face. “I’ll let you get some sleep, because if I sit here and watch you yawn any more it’ll give me a complex.”

He laughs. “Night, Jerry.”

“Night, Reed. And remember, I’m always here whenever you want to talk. About anything.”

His smile softens as his eyes meet mine, and my heart thuds heavily at the sudden intensity in his gaze. “Thank you.”

We end the call, and I let my head fall back against the sofa with a sigh.

Fuck.

I like him.

I need to get a handle on my feelings before they develop into something that’ll hurt. He needs a friend, nothing more. Not with me, anyway. He’s made that perfectly clear, and I need to remember it.

We should stick to texting. It’s a lot fucking safer that way.