This Charming Man

Thirteen

"Hey, Brendon, you never told me you had a stall."

The fluster in my stomach wrenched me from my daydream when I instantly recognised the familiar voice. I quickly rubbed my eyes and squinted up at a tall figure standing over me. The amber glow of the afternoon sun reflected on the figures skin and it took me what felt like centuries to pin a name to a face in my dazed state.

"M-Mr Weekes?"

He chuckled and winked. "Afternoon, sunshine."

I blushed instantly and scrabbled to sit up. "H-hi," I mumbled awkwardly.

"Whatcha selling?" Mr Weekes asked, peering over me at the now empty display.

I followed his gaze and glanced over my shoulder to look at it too. "O-oh, me and Ryan went fishing this morning. Thought we'd make some money out of it," I shrugged.

Mr Weekes raised an eyebrow but kept his bright smile. "Fishing? I've never been fishing before."

I hesitated a moment. "M-maybe we could take you with us some time," I suggested, looking down and playing with my hands nervously.

"I'd like that," Mr Weekes replied and the smile on his face was obvious through his voice. "So have you been here all day?"

I nodded. "Started selling around 10," I paused to scratch the back of my neck, "B-been to work today?" I asked, casting an eye over Mr Weekes' casual clothes.

He nodded and shoved his hands in pockets. "Yup. Got back an hour ago. Thought I'd come out for a stroll."

There was an awkward pause whilst I thought of something to say but Mr Weekes spoke before I could, "Well, I'd better be off. Got some important stuff to pick up."

I stole a glance at his face and nodded. "A-alright. I'll see you around?" I said, not meaning for it to sound like a question.

Mr Weekes shrugged and smiled. "Maybe. See you, kid," and walked off.

I had to tear my eyes away from watching him leave and I breathed out heavily and rubbed my eyes. I should've started heading back by then but I had no motivation to move and I supposed I was comfortable enough here. I called to the lady on the stall opposite me and asked her what the time was. She replied that it was around 6 o'clock and I slumped back down into my chair. It was a while before I decided to get going.

"I'm back," I heard someone say as I was packing up the ice box and Mr Weekes was stood behind me with that agonizingly adorable grin which made my stomach twist in knots. He was holding a small parcel in his hand and almost seemed to be hiding it behind his thigh.

"Hi, Mr Weekes," I said cheerily, ignoring the parcel and lifted the ice box onto the floor.

"I see you've got nothing done since I left," he commented and I stuck my tongue out at him. Mr Weekes chuckled softly and rubbed the back of his neck. I gave him a curious look, my head tilted slightly. He seemed as though as he had something to say and I eyed the parcel knowingly. I could guess quite easily who that was for.

"H-hey, Brendon," he started and licked his lips nervously, looking down, "Y-you know my uh... My offer still stands from yesterday."

I paused for a second. What offer?

"The one about coming to stay with me after I go?" Mr Weekes prompted, his voice hopeful and my heart fluttered slightly at the memory.

"O-oh yeah," I mumbled shyly, looking down.

"Are you thinking about it?" I could tell he was trying his hardest not to sound pushy.

Honestly, I'd forgotten about it completely. I was too caught up in the memory of Mr Weekes' lips against mine to remember anything he'd really said and I gulped and rubbed my arm nervously.

"I-I have," I lied, "B-but I don't know. I don't know if I'd be allowed anyway."

Mr Weekes frowned slightly. "Not allowed?"

"M-Mr Wentz probably wouldn't let me have time off a-and I don't think my grandma would be pleased about me staying with someone she doesn't know..."

Mr Weekes' frown deepened. "Your grandma? But... Y-you live with your grandma?"

I shook my head quickly. "No, no. I live there," I gestured to the bath house, "With Ryan and Spencer. Grandma raised me in the village. I-I'm supposed to visit her every chance I can get but uh..." I shrugged, "I don't. And she's kinda protective and I don't think she'd like it i-if I went-"

"Brendon, Brendon!" Mr Weekes interrupted me, his hands held up. "Brendon, it's fine. Look, you wouldn't be on your own. You could bring Ryan with you. Or even Spencer. Your grandma knows them, right? She wouldn't have to know about me. And I'm sure I could talk Mr Wentz into letting you have some time off."

I blinked. There he was again. Emphatically optimistic. I just didn't understand it.

"Seriously though, Brendon, if you don't want to come then just tell me. I can take rejection. I honestly don't mind."

I bit my lip and looked down. Thinking about it now, I really did want to go with him. I really, really did. It seemed so easy the way he'd planned it out. I let out a sigh and looked up at him.

"I..." I started, all the confidence I built up vanishing as I looked at his face.

"You...?" he prompted, giving me a small smile as encouragement.

I gulped and tried again. "I-I w-want to go w-with you, Mr Weekes," I stammered and tried attempted to smile at him.

Mr Weekes grinned and took a step forward with his arms out for a hug but faltered when I didn't do the same. He put his arms by his sides looking embarrassed and simply smiled.

"Good. Right then. I'll get that sorted for you," Mr Weekes said, looking around awkwardly and I felt bad. I hesitantly took a step closer and gently wrapped my arms around his waist and rested my forehead on his chest. He relaxed after a moment and hugged me back.

"S-sorry," I mumbled against him and he craned his neck to look down at me.

"What for?"

"Not taking the hint before," I smiled up at Mr Weekes genially and he did the same back to me.

"I forgive you," Mr Weekes chuckled and leaned in to kiss me. I panicked, remembering we were in a public place where these people actually knew me, and I turned my face away at the last minute, his lips brushing against my cheek.

"Brendon?"

I stepped back from him and shook my head. "N-not here," I mumbled, glancing round nervously.

Mr Weekes nodded with a grin. "Oh, yes!" he said, remembering the parcel in his hand and held it out for me. "I guess you'll be needing this then," he smiled proudly.

I frowned in confusion and carefully took it from him, examining the paper wrapping. "Wh-what is it?" I asked.

"Actually," Mr Weekes began, looking round and placed a hand on my shoulder, "Let's open this somewhere else."

I blinked up at him. "Oh, uh... Okay," I said, pocketing the parcel. "Where do you want to go?"

Mr Weekes pursed his lips slightly and peered round. "Let's go for a walk," he said, patting my arm.

I frowned and glanced over my shoulder at my stuff. "Wh-what about..?" I started but Mr Weekes shook his head and smiled .

"Just pick it up on your way back. We won't be long."

I nodded uncertainly and gave it one quick glance over my shoulder before taking Mr Weekes' arm and walking beside him.