Finding Home by Aine Kelley Read Free Book Online Page B

we can find things for her to do, and I’ll make sure to be on my best behavior.”
    Jenny snorts. “Why wouldn’t you be?”
    Oh God! Why did I say that? This girl is getting to me, and I haven’t met her yet. “I mean, I will be my charming self and take extra good care of her.” Now I’m pulling my hair out of my head. I clearly can’t get my thoughts together.
    She snorts again and chuckles. “Okay, I’m not sure what the hell you’re talking about, but just be nice. Don’t be an ass, and would it kill you to smile every once in awhile. You remember what smiling is, right? I haven’t seen you do that in a long time.”
    My eyes drift up to the ceiling while I consider what she said. “Hey, just so you know, I had a nice talk with Gramps, and I’m working on taking some steps forward. Believe me, Jenny Bean, I want to smile again.” I can hear her gasp.
    “Ben, I’m …” I cut her off before she can say anything more.
    “I gotta go; I’m meeting Jack for dinner. I’ll see you Tuesday.” I quickly hang up and curse myself. “Real smooth, Ben. One mention of Sam and you turn into a babbling idiot … again!” Just the idea of Sam moving here and sleeping in my room brings a smile to my face and instantly my shorts tighten. Calm down! She makes me feel things that I thought were dead and gone—like Beth. My mouth curves into a smile. I guess I can smile again.
    I step onto the street and head toward my favorite diner. I’m glad for the walk to help me gather my erratic thoughts. I need to put things into perspective, so it’s good that I’m meeting Jack. We give each other shit most of the time, but when you get right down to it, he’s like a brother to me. He’s a total player and a jackass at times, but I know that I can talk to him about anything, including Sam. He’ll have an interesting take on it, I’m sure. I approach the diner and check my watch to see that I’m fifteen minutes late.
    I see Jack through the window waiting for me. Giving him a slight wave he returns my greeting with his middle finger. I chuckle and mouth, “Asshole.” He lifts his hands to his chest pretending to be crushed.
    As I approach the booth, he yells so everyone in the diner can hear, “Where’ve you been? I’m seriously thinking you’ve got a masturbation addiction!” He adds an obscene hand gesture to reiterate his point. This obviously gets us a lot of looks.
    “Fuck off! I was on the phone with Jenny.” He must be able to tell by my tone and the tension on my face that I’m not in the mood for his shit today.
    He looks at me dead on. “Okay, ass hat! Spill it now. What the fuck is going on? Is it Jenny? Is she okay?”
    I take a deep breath and try to calm my nerves. “No, it’s not Jenny. She’s fine. I’m just going through some weird shit right now. I don’t know what to do about it.”
    Jack’s face tightens, and his voice lowers. “Is this about Beth again? Come on, man, it’s been two years. You know I thought she was awesome, but it’s time to get a move on. She wouldn’t want you to be like this—so unhappy. She would want you to live and find love again. That’s the kind of girl she was.” Jack cracks a smile. “And if you think I’m gonna hold your hand right now you can suck it!”
    My hand reaches out to touch his. “Hey Jack … you complete me.”
    “Ass!”
    “Dick!”
    Jack hands me the menu. “Let’s order. I’m starving!”
    Looking over the menu, I pause and think about what he said and I know he’s right. As much as I love Beth, my life has been on a holding pattern. I need to embrace what I’m feeling for Sam, but it’s been such a long time. Christ, it’s been over five years since I asked a girl out or even flirted, for that matter.
    “Jack, I hear what you’re saying, and you’re right. I’ve been contemplating the same thing. I need your help with this. In fact, I have someone in mind. I’m just scared shitless and I’ve got no idea what to