by Kit Fortier
"This way," Fox said. The two climbed the stairs and walked down the landing to the edge of the building. He swiped the key through the reader on the door. When he heard a beep, the lock disengaged, and Fox quickly opened the door and flipped on a light.
Jake looked around where the light from over the door reached-it was basically an apartment. The room had a king-sized bed; a sofa across from a dresser with a large flat screen on it; and a waist-high minifridge. There was a kitchenette with a small, round 4-person table. A door lead to a clean bathroom, stocked with towels and toiletries.
"It's the closest we could come to an 'executive' suite," Fox said as he crossed to the windows. He pulled the curtains open onto the rainy night. Jake put his pack down in front of a dresser next to the one with a TV. "A lot of vacationing businessmen insisted on better amenities." Fox emphasized 'vacationing' with air quotations, then he turned on another lamp by the bed.
Jake let out a huff of amusement. "What's with 'vacationing'?"
"It's just that, for people on a vacation, they spend a week or two in this room doing nothing but work," Fox replied. He seemed almost disappointed the guests didn't actually get out to see the sights.
Jake nodded. "I take it you like the great outdoors here."
"Like it? No. Love it? Definitely."
Jake grinned. He peeled off his parka. His shirt was mostly dry, but his pants were sopping wet. He untied his hiking boots and tugged them off, saying, "Lemme change out my pants. Then we can get to your breaker box."
Fox chuckled softly. Jake dumped his clothes out onto the bed when his host spoke up.
"There's a washer and dryer behind that door in the bathroom," Fox said. Jake nodded as he pulled out another pair of jeans from the pile. "Those aren't affected by the breaker problem, but some of the overhead lights in this room are, for some reason." Fox's mouth hung open, as if he had something else to say. Jake waited. "I hope it's not too much trouble, but I get the feeling this job might take more than an hour or two. While the problems started with the power box, some of the rooms have had some serious issues."
Jake nodded. "Absolutely. I'd definitely want to make it worth the price of the stay," he said earnestly. "I've got at least a couple of weeks before I'm back on the road, anyway." Jake went into the bathroom, closing the door behind him. "I'll be right back," he said.
"I'll be right here!" Fox said, followed by a muffled expletive. Something to the tune of "No shit, Sherlock." Jake stifled a laugh. The bathroom smelled clean, and somehow new. It was remodeled, with a large glass shower, separate of a rather spacious bathtub. The sink and mirror combination looked rather modern. It was slick yet simple, which rather flew in the face of the rest of the town's mid-century aesthetic. He looked in the mirror, realizing the guy could clearly tell his religion from his wet jeans. A thought crossed his mind that he might have been flashing the goods unexpectedly. Jake grinned to himself as he shook his head. He pulled the offending clothes off, along with the underwear that threatened to ride up. Jake then pulled on the dry pair he brought in, tossing the jeans and underwear into the dryer. After getting the appliance started, Jake stepped out.
"This is a pretty neat setup," Jake said, slipping his bare feet into his hiking boots. He tucked the laces into the boots. "I've been hiking for a while now-and most of the motels I come across are… Well, they just are."
Fox shrugged. "This is Wyoming. People who head up to the Tower tend to have some money to burn. We do alright during the tourist season, and in quiet times."
"Feast or famine?" Jake asked.
"Feast or famine," Fox agreed. "But we've got a buffer of about five years, in case of some shit seasons. Dad's pretty smart like that."
Jake nodded. "Let's take a look at those breakers."
2. Broken Conductors
*** Fox
Fox took in the stranger's belongings while the man changed his clothes. A well-used, well-cared for framed hiking pack with several pouches and pockets sat by the bed. It looked heavy. Fox was tempted to lift it, but he refrained. Maybe Jake didn't like other people touching his things.
When Jake came out of the bathroom, he was rearing to get to work. But it was nearing two o'clock in the morning.
Jake's enthusiasm was heartening, exciting, even. But there would be no harm in letting the stranger rest for the night.
"Wait," Fox reached out a hand and tugged at Jake's elbow. "Do you have anything pressing in the morning?"
The man was already halfway out the door to his room when Fox caught him. He turned with an inquisitive look on his face.
"Nothing," Jake answered. "Just catching up on rest."
"I tell you what," Fox gently removed his grip from Jake's arm. The firmness he held for a moment told him that Jake definitely filled out his clothes nicely. "I know you said you'd been hiking a while. How's about we wait until later… Can I swing by around noon? Is that enough time for you to get some sleep? We'll have better lighting in some places."
Jake's eyes shifted back and forth, his gaze sweeping the floor briefly as he considered. Fox was practically bouncing, but he did his best to stay remarkably still. The lighting behind his guest shadowed his face. A yawn blossomed across Jake's face that Fox chuckled quietly at.
"I think you just made me call it a day for you, Mr. Barton." Fox maneuvered himself to stand between Jake and the door. "You get some sleep, sir. I'll come around later."
Fox turned to the door when he felt a hand grip his wrist. It was a warm grip, firm yet gentle. A strange tingling, like electricity, passed between their touch. It lasted for a moment when Jake pulled his hand away.
"Please," the man began. "It's Jake. Just… Jake."
Fox smiled. "Jake." He lingered for a moment, unsure of what to do next. Headlight beams drifted across the kitchenette wall, pulling Fox out of his reverie. "Noon?"
Jake nodded. "Noon."
"I'll see you then." Fox reached out his hand. Jake took it with a warm smile. When their palms touched, something like sparks tingled their way up Fox's arm, going straight to his head, his heart. Jake looked similarly stunned. They shook hands deeply, then broke the connection. Jake's hand went to his heart as Fox opened the door. With a last quick glance at the man, Fox closed the door behind him. His relief had pulled up, and he was about to get some sleep himself.
*** Jake
Daylight crawled across the wall near the door. It was the only light in the room, and for Jake, it was the only light he could bear to wake up to. Full-blown sunlight was a harsh alarm more often than not. With that much sunlight, Jake guessed that the rains had moved on.
Jake stretched out, luxuriating in the feel of the medium-soft mattress beneath him. It had been a while since he went out of his way for decent comfort--Silverton, Colorado. He had just sold a few pounds of gold he picked up in his journey, and before he deposited his money, he splurged on a simple motel room on the edge of town.
The amenities in the room Fox set him up with made that room look like a broom closet by comparison.
When his thoughts drifted to Fox, he thought of their moment together, the handshake, Jake's eyebrows pressed together. What was that? Was it shock? No. They would have jerked apart, like people hit with static discharge. It was strange in that Fox looked like he noticed something, too. Jake inhaled deeply.
The clock next to him read 10:00A. He slept restfully for nine hours. Jake nodded in approval to no one in particular. Staring at the ceiling, images of Fox flitted through his head. Seeing the guy in the light of day would hopefully fill in all the edges that were either covered in shadow or lit badly by indiscriminately pale blue-green outdoor overhead nighttime lights. There was a smile somewhere in his memory-a handsome, devil-may-care slack-jaw smile. Added to that were captivating, almost too-green-to-be-allowed eyes.
Jake scratched his chest. He had a couple hours yet before Fox would show. Tossing the blanket off his naked body, Jake edged off the bed and trotted into the bathroom and turned on
the shower.
While he had no shampoo, Jake smiled at the fine selection of high-end toiletries in the shower's alcove. Using the bath supplies provided, he took his time to really scrub himself pink and massage the shampoo into his scalp. It would be a half hour later before he stepped out to a bathroom with practically zero visibility due to the buildup of steam.
Jake laughed to himself when he opened the bathroom door as he saw the steam pour through the frame and into the bedroom proper. He used a towel to dry his hair and lightly pat the moisture on his skin before laying out the towel across portion of the bed he didn't sleep on to let it dry.
He stood there for a moment, staring at the bed. The phrase, "first time in a long time" began to blossom exponentially in his mind. A bed? A shower? A good looking guy who may or may not be interested in him? A solid roof over his head that wasn't a structure he alchemically pulled out of the ground? Food?
The thought of food made his stomach rumble. Jake pulled on a set of fresh clothes from his rucksack, taking a mental note to launder everything later to get rid of the slight "musty tent" smell they'd taken on from living in the pack. After he pulled on his boots, he gathered up his everyday-carry items: three small silver knives secured in a sheath attached to his belt at the small of his back, his wallet, and a small, resealable plastic bag filled with silvery powder. Jake grabbed the room's key card headed to the door. As he opened it, Fox stood there with his hand up, his knuckles poised to knock the door.
"Oh!" Fox exclaimed gently, surprise lightly etched on his face. "Were you on your way out?"
Jake nodded. "I was gonna get a bite to eat before we got started," he said.
"Well in that case," Fox moved towards the staircase on the other end of the building, just past the front desk office. "I'll go with you. My treat."
"Please, you don't have to--" Jake stopped when Fox held a hand up, giving him a grin. In the light of day, the guy was… stunning. The sunlight gave his eyes a glint of mischief and mirth. Compounded with the lopsided smile, the faint trace of dark red stubble along the man's jawline, Jake could only gawk. Fox was a handsome man-the epitome of the "boy next door" who grew into "All-American guy next door".
"I know a place or two around town that give me and Dad great discounts since we advertise their joints. No worries," Fox said, turning on his heel. He gave Jake a wave as to say, "Follow me."
And when Jake quickly snapped out of his reverie, follow he did.
The two walked in comfortable silence to the diner Jake stopped into the night before. When they sat down, a young man came to take their order.
"Hey, Fox!" the server said.
"Hey there, Benny," Fox replied.
Benny. Ben. An unfortunate name in the moment. Jake's face turned down. Thoughts of his son drifted in and out of his head for a second. He briefly connected with Fox, who raised an eyebrow slightly, questioningly. Fox turned to the server.
"Could you get us a couple of chicken fried steaks? Hash browns and scrambled eggs with cheese, please," Fox said. Benny gave the man across from Jake a warm smile and a wink before he walked off behind the counter and into the kitchen area.
"He likes you," Jake said with a gentle smirk.
"I know," Fox said. "So does Cindi. I think they have a bet going."
"A bet?"
Fox's smirk turned into a chuckle. "They're trying to figure me out." Fox leaned in, his voice almost hushed. "I'm not out, really."
Jake matched his tone, keeping an eye on the counter area. "You're gay?"
Fox nodded. "Dad knows, and he's been great about it, but I don't… Let on. In and around town, anyway. I've gone out to Sundance a few times on dates, even had a couple of meet-ups down in Casper."
Jake whistled. "That's quite a ways to scratch an itch."
Fox sighed. "Yeah, it is."
Jake gave Fox a slight nod and a subtle, pointed look towards the kitchen. Benny was heading their way with coffee cups.
"Here you go," Benny said, placing the steaming cups down in front of his patrons. Jake gave him a smile and a nod.
"Thanks," Fox said.
"No problem," Benny said with a wink that Jake didn't miss. "What would you two like to drink?"
"Water, please," Jake said.
"Make it two," Fox added.
"Got it. Your food will be out soon, okay?" Benny gave Jake a once-over and smiled at him. It was not a "let's be friends" smile. Jake laughed in his head. The poor kid was barking up the wrong tree. Stylish, skinny young men would likely get broken in half in a tumble in the sheets. Jake returned the smile, if only to be polite.
Benny practically skipped back to the kitchen.
"I think he's in heat," Fox mused.
"You think? Did you see that look he gave me?"
"Yep. That's why I think he's in heat," Fox snickered.
"So you're saying he'll bag anybody?" Jake asked with an eyebrow cocked.
"Well, you're hot, so I'm not surprised," Fox said, after which his eyes widened, and his neck flushed a bright red.
Jake could barely contain his grin. "You, uh… Got something you wanna tell me?"
Fox tipped his head forward until it banged lightly against the table between them.
"I don't know what to do, or even say, Jake," Fox quietly groaned into the table. "I don't get out a lot, so guys…"
Jake leaned in, whispering in Fox's ear. "…So guys…"
"I don't want to treat you like some kind of one-night-stand," Fox blurted out, bringing his voice back down to a hush after he looked over his shoulder.
Jake's grin turned into a toothy smile. "Are you assuming I'm gay? Are you saying you're into me? You just assumed I was into you?"
The blush that practically choked Fox rose up to his cheeks. He hid his face in his hands, with his eyes peering through his partially opened fingers.
"Oh god," Fox murmured. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to assume--"
Jake silenced Fox slyly, brushing his calf against Fox's.
"I dunno about you," Jake said in hushed tones. "But there's this hot red-head I met last night who I'm dying to get to know."
Fox's hands went down. Jake was stunned by the man's eyes locked on his own. Fox's bright green eyes seemed to scan and search his own before he spoke.
"I think, Mr. Barton Jake Barton, that can be arranged."
Benny popped out with two plates, immediately followed by two glasses of ice water. The two of them thanked the young guy and dug into the food before them. Benny went behind the counter and disappeared into the kitchen.
Jake cleaned his plate, scraping up every bit of the heart-clogging goodness of the gravy poured over the chicken fried steak. Fox had done much the same. Fox pulled out his wallet and fished out a twenty dollar bill, as well as a five, and placed them on the table. He reached for the salt shaker and put it on top of the money he laid out.
"Let's go, before he gets back," Fox murmured. Jake nodded. The two slunk out of the booth they occupied and made a hasty beeline through the front door. They laughed as they turned the corner and headed back to the lodge.
"Shall we take a look at the breakers now?" Jake asked. Fox nodded. He walked ahead. The sunlight gave Fox's dark red hair a shine, which stood out against his form fitting green polo and his khaki shorts. The younger man looked like he'd walked off the cover of a sports magazine. It also shone on his arms, highlighting a light dusting of that same dark red hair against his evenly tan skin. A haze of freckles came down past Fox's elbows and disappeared up into his sleeves.
"That's what I was thinking," Fox replied. Jake stopped himself from ogling the guy. But he couldn't help that Fox's shorts were practically shrink-wrapped onto his legs and his pert, meaty backside.
"Eyes up front, soldier," Fox grinned. Damn. Caught again. Jake chuckled.
"Airman, actually. Continue."
*** Fox
Fox guided Jake into the front office. His afternoon shift clerk, Evan, was at the desk.
"Hey th
ere Evan," Fox said cordially.
"Afternoon, Fox. What can I do for you?"
"Let me get the master keycard and the keys for the electric room," Fox replied. Evan nodded and ducked under the desk. He was getting the keys from the lockbox beneath the register.
"There you go, boss," Evan said with a smile as he handed the keys over to Fox.
"We're gonna take a look at the, um, electrical issues in the, uh… The electric. Room," Fox stammered, suddenly tongue-tied at the possibilities he and Jake could get into.
"Fox? You okay?" Evan waved a hand in front of Fox's face. Fox shook his head slightly. "You're too young to be stroking out, sir."
"Evan, please. I'm only five years older--"
"Six," Evan interjected.
"Six years older than you. You don't have to call me 'sir'. Save that for my dad. Better yet, don't. He'll probably tell you to save it for his dad," Fox chuffed. Evan shrugged.
"You got it, sir," the younger man said with a grin. "But you do know it's not gonna happen, right? It's a respect thing. I can't go around calling my boss by his first name. It's unprofessional. And you're too young for me to call you 'Mr. Foster', so what am I going to do?"
Fox knew Evan was poking the bear and showing off in front of the new guest. He was about to speak when snickering noises broke the tension. Fox turned around and saw Jake trying desperately to stifle his amusement with his hand to his mouth.
"I'd fire you," Fox growled, "but I don't wanna make you homeless."
Jake smirked. "Lead the way, boss."
That word from Jake's mouth went into Fox's ears and straight to his dick. He had no clue why, but for some reason, the vibe Jake was giving was that Fox was free to find out for himself. He waved Evan off, who smirked at him as they left the front office.
Fox lead Jake around the back of the building where he reached the first stop of the day. After unlocking the dead bolt and the additional lock, then removing the round bolt-cutter proof lock from the chains soldered to the metal door, Fox walked in and flipped on the overhead lights. The room was bathed in a pale blue-green fluorescent light that made people look like zombies in a horror flick.