Page 54 of Flowers To Give

“Because,” Merle squeezes his hand and leans forward, “You’re worth it.”

Their lips are about to meet when someone calls out from behind them, “Jeremy!”

Looking over his shoulder, Barry is standing a hundred yards away and watching the interaction closely. Jeremy blushes and steps away from Merle, telling him, “I really will think about what you said.”

“I’ll be back, Jeremy,” Merle calls out after him as Jeremy continues to walk away, “See you soon!”

Head swirling with new revelations, Jeremy can’t seem to focus on one thing. He’s just over the edge of tipsy, not stumbling drunk but enough so that his thoughts are out of his control. He hates that Barry saw him almost kiss Merle, and then he thinks of Merle’s proposition. His words were enticing, a deep part of him really not wanting to live on Willmaker Ranch anymore. He searches his memory for why and is affronted with the vision of Clark’s bare ass humping some stranger.

He doesn’t go to bed right away, instead walking around the deserted ranch and smoking each one of his cigarettes until his mind is much clearer. Big life choices have been thrust upon him tonight, but none of that will be sorted under the echo of duress. Jeremy will have to meditate on the three men that have come to take up space in his mind and, undoubtedly, in his heart.

CHAPTER EIGHT

THE SLUGGISH MORNING yawns slowly into existence as the ranch collectively aches from the activities of the night before. Despite many of the ranch workers attending the party, everybody had to still get to work the next day - Jeremy is no exception. Hangover intense, but he’s also mentally fatigued. Sharp images cutting through a hazy night and he distinctly remembers things he wishes he could forget.

Chain smoking cigarettes throughout his morning duties, Jeremy has the urge to quit while he’s ahead. Instead, he gets back in the Gator to head to the stables. Marie looks like death warmed over, slumping against one of the pins. Neither greet the other, Jeremy groggy as he gets Asher tacked up. Riding out of the stables, Jeremy dares to say he feels a raindrop land on the back of his hand. Looking up, the cloudy sky from last night has given way to an overcast day.

Work is an absolute slog, Jeremy getting back from a short roundup with Jose and feeling like he’s about to keel over. Letting Jose loose at lunch, Jeremy steers Asher toward the back of the property. Behind the riding arena, there’s a shade tree that Jeremy’s used for a nap spot from time to time. A nap is almost a requirement today, feeling like he deserves one after the brutal night. Dismounting Asher, he swings her reins over a nearby branch before sitting on the ground and leaning his back up against the trunk. Tilting his hat down so it covers his eyesand makes his sight dark, Jeremy is quickly slipping into a light slumber.

“Sleeping on the job?”

Jeremy grumbles to himself as he lifts the hat again with his knuckle and watches as Yana approaches on her dapple grey steed. He rubs his weary eyes, mumbling, “I can’t catch a break.”

“What gives? I didn’t see you again last night,” Yana makes a show of staying by getting off her horse.

Sitting up, Jeremy rubs his sore eyes as he tells her, “Yeah, I left.”

“Why? What happened?” Yana pries.

The memory of Clark having sex with a random man gives Jeremy the shivers, deflecting by saying, “What, are you tuning into the next episode? My life isn’t some show.”

“C’mon, you know it’s not like that,” Yana’s brow scrunches, genuinely offended, “I’m your friend. And this just so happens to be a very active time in your life. So, please, tell me.”

Jeremy chews on that, finally saying, “I think it’s about time I quit.”

“What? No,” Yana sits down beside Jeremy, asking, “What happened?”

“I- They-,”Jeremy tries to collect his thoughts before continuing, looking off into the distance as he says, “Ryan was right, Clark and Laurelai were swinging.”

“What! No way.”

Jeremy nods.

“And you, what? Walked in on them?”

He nods again, rubbing his eyes to get rid of the vision.

“Woof,” she leans back, “Sorry about that.”

“And then I ran into Barry, inside. So thanks for that little tip,” Jeremy adds.

“Yeah, he may or may not have found us after you left. He was really persistent. I’m sorry,” she smiles weakly.

Not having the energy to be mad with her, Jeremy shrugs, “It’s okay. I just feel bad that he saw me with Merle.”

“You mean you talked with Rezai? Really?” She instantaneously becomes more interested, readjusting and leaning into Jeremy, “What did he say?”

Suddenly feeling uncomfortable, Jeremy speaks a great fear aloud, “I think he loves me.”