Page 65 of Hittin' the Right Note
Just answer honestly,he thought.But don’t go too far.
“It’s really nice to meet you,” he said. “I came out here to help Luke out with a bit of music. We’re putting a benefit concert together for the Northern Appalachia Center for the Arts.”
Shelly’s eyes lit up, but she didn’t lose the faint look of suspicion, still trying to determine whether she trusted Mikey or not.
“Is that so?” she said. “I haven’t seen anyone come out this way in a long time. And the only other people who do are usually Bryce and sometimes Katrina. It’ll do Luke some good to have someone else here.” She held up an admonitory finger. “You just be sure not to break his heart, you hear? He’s already had enough.”
“Shelly,” Luke said, rolling his eyes. Mikey didn’t miss the flush creeping up his cheeks, though. Was Luke Carter actuallyembarrassed?
“Don’t you talk to me in that tone,” Shelly said, and while her tone was still light, it was clear she was like a mother hen where Luke was concerned. “If you’re not going to look after your heart, then who else is going to do it for you? Besides, God wants all of us to watch over each other, so that’s what I’m going to do.”
Mikey was a bit taken aback by this casual mention of God, but Luke didn’t seem bothered by it, so he didn’t make a big fuss. However, he made a mental note to ask about it when this very strange, if lovely, woman had gone on her way.
“Well, I won’t keep you both,” she said. “I’ve got some errands to run in town, and those groceries aren’t going to pick up themselves.”
And then she was gone, and Mikey and Luke were left alone again.
“So, uh,” Mikey began, “she seems fun.”
Luke shrugged. “What can I say? We’re a bit of an odd bunch out in this part of the county, to be sure, but we stick up and show up for each other. When I first came here after…after everything, it was Shelly who ended up bringing me food every day until I was back on my feet and not too depressed to function.”
Mikey reached out and threaded his fingers through Luke’s.
“I wish I could’ve been there for you.” He paused and then corrected himself. “I wish Iwouldhave been there for you. I should’ve been, but I wasn’t.”
Luke turned to him, then, with a solemn look in his eyes. Mikey’s heart beat faster, but not in a good way.
“You already apologized for that,” he said softly, “and I already accepted it. It’s time to let go of the past, okay? There’s no need to hold onto it.”
Mikey swallowed past the lump in his throat. Here Luke was, offering him forgivenessagain,and he was still trying to make it all about him.
“Okay,” he said. “I promise I’m going to try not to be so apologetic. I know it can sometimes be a lot, and I also know sometimes it’s more about making myself feel better rather than trying to actually offer amends to the person who I’ve hurt.”
Luke nodded, and now it was Mikey’s turn to flush.
“See, you’re learning,” he said. “But yeah, she was one of the best people I could’ve asked for when the whole thing went down. I could’ve just holed up here forever, but I didn’t. I’ll always be grateful for her.”
Luke went on.
“She goes to the Catholic church just up the road there, St. Joe’s. It’s been there since forever, and she’s very devoted to it. I can’t imagine the place running without her.”
Mikey had about a thousand questions about how a devout Catholic woman in the backwoods of West Virginia could be so accepting of a gay man living just down the road–let alone actually cheer for him to get a boyfriend–but he put those aside as Luke continued.
“I’ve kind of adopted her as my new aunt,” Luke said. “And that means a lot to me.Shemeans a lot to me.”
“Youmean a lot tome,” Mikey said.
“You’re turning into a hopeless romantic,” Luke said. Before Mikey could respond, Luke leaned in and gave him a kiss.
It was gentle, and it reminded Mikey of all the things he loved the most about Luke Carter.
“A Guy to Build a Life With,” Luke said. As soon as Mikey drew back, he gave Luke a very confused look.
“Um…what?” he asked.
“It’s what we should call the song we were working on,” Luke said. “I’ve been trying to think of a good title, and it just hit me. It’s simple. It has a country vibe. It captures what we’ve been trying to get at: that this place is the kind of place you can build a life and a home with.”
Mikey nodded along, because itwasperfect. It fit exactly the vibe they were going for.
