Saving Grapes - Madeline Kirby Page 0,9
flirting. He didn’t think Thom was homophobic, but he didn’t want Thom to be uncomfortable. And he sure didn’t want Thom freaking out in case he figured out that Ben was starting to develop feelings for him.
“Look, about Ross…” Ben started.
Thom just grunted.
“Was it his flirting that made you uncomfortable?”
“Just,” Thom was taking groceries out of bags and sitting them on the table, “just, stay away from him, okay? He’s not someone you should really get involved with.”
“What do you mean?”
“Jesus, can’t you just take my word for it?”
“Ah… no. I’m not saying I’m interested, but that’s the first bit of attention I’ve gotten since I got to town, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t flattered. Does that bother you?”
Thom started putting the groceries away, his movements sharp and jerky. “He’s a… well, he’s used to getting his way, right? And he’s the kind of guy who… who doesn’t like to take no for an answer.”
“He what? How would you know?”
Thom wouldn’t meet his eyes, just kept putting groceries away. “I don’t want you getting hurt.”
“How would you know, Thom?” Ben repeated. And then it dawned on him. “Oh. My. God. I’m fucking blind. You know because you know.”
Thom just kept putting groceries away, saying nothing. Two could play that game, so Ben just leaned back against the counter, watching Thom until the groceries were all gone and Thom was looking around the kitchen for something else to keep him occupied.
“Are you still involved with him?” Ben finally asked.
“I was never involved with him,” Thom said.
“You were something with him, I can tell by the way you’re acting. You’re gay, aren’t you? Or at least not completely straight. I’m right, aren’t I?”
Thom crossed his arms across his chest, his lips pressed in a thin line, and finally nodded.
“I don’t know whether to be pissed off or not right now.”
“It’s not common knowledge. Your uncle doesn’t know. A few people in town do. Ross, obviously,” Thom shrugged. “I don’t go out much, so it’s a non-issue.”
“It’s not a non-issue to me. It sure would have been nice to know. I would have appreciated it if you’d been honest with me, especially considering why I’m here.”
“I’m sorry. You’re right. I guess I’ve been here alone so long that I’m not used to opening up.”
“Yeah, well, I guess I can understand that. So, what about Ross?”
The pinched look was back on Thom’s face, “I really, really do not want to talk about Ross.”
“Jesus. Did he hurt you?”
“No. Really, no. He’s just relentless.”
“Then maybe I’ll ask Ross. He looked like he wouldn’t mind getting together for a chat.”
“No! I mean, fine. It’s not something I’m proud of, but from time to time, after I came home from college, I’d hook up with Ross. It was never more than that, and after a few times I realized that we weren’t, um, compatible. Nothing’s happened for years, but he just never gives up.”
“Okay.”
“Okay? Just like that?”
Ben shrugged. “Yeah. All I wanted was a straight answer. You gave it to me. I’d say that’s enough sharing for one day. You go finish whatever you need to do and I’ll get dinner started.”
Ben watched as Thom left the room and headed towards his office. So Thom was gay – or bi at least. That was the best news he’d had in weeks. Now he just had to figure out what he was going to do about it.
Chapter 5
“SO,” BEN started up one evening as they were enjoying their post-dinner beer on the porch, “there’s a homebrewing supply shop in town. I was thinking I’d check it out on my next grocery run.”
“There is? I had no idea.”
“Really? It is Oregon, after all. Doesn’t everyone in Oregon drink craft beer? Or brew their own?”
“But this is wine country!”
Ben laughed. “It’s beer country, too. Think about it. The optimal growing conditions for hops are not all that different than for growing grapes. Hop growing is booming right here in the Willamette Valley. Ask Uncle Chuck – I’ll bet he knows a lot of hop farmers.”
“It never even occurred to me.”
“Anyway, I was thinking of checking out the shop, maybe getting some basic equipment and supplies. Do you think I could use some space in the basement for storage and fermentation? I don’t need much room.”
Thom pictured the basement in his mind – it was only partially finished, with a laundry room in one corner and the rest being mostly open space with concrete block walls. He didn’t