Looking around, Jackson smiled at the thought of spending some time in the picturesque area. The autumnal colours a dazzling array of gold, ambers and reds. The crew of which he was a part were renovating a small hotel on the outskirts of a scenic, little town that relied heavily on tourist trade. The town had a nice variety of shops, not that he expected to spend much time in them. There were a couple of modest shopping malls with the usual names he knew and a large second hand book shop he hoped to browse regularly. The motel he and his crew were staying in had a restaurant attached that served home-cooked food and there were several bars, cafes and restaurants to be able to avoid getting bored with the same fare.
He had endured the usual cat-calls and jokes when the motel's desk clerk, a pretty enough blond called Monica, had not-so-subtly fluttered her eyelashes in his direction. Of course, that had all been done well away from the motel where no one but the crew could hear. He had expected the usual round of ribbing, practical jokes and so forth that always went hand-in-hand with a new member of a building crew. However, the foreman seemed to take a perverse pleasure in extending it to the whole of the almost five months he had worked with them. It was now becoming less a joke and more harassment. But knowing it and proving it to the company's owner were two completely different things.
He gave a slight shiver as he looked at the mix of fully-clothed pine, autumn-dressed and nearly bare trees of the woods just a short walk away. The woods and the lake, which allowed sailing and swimming, were what attracted tourists. Places to camp, water activities and a pretty town were a winning combination. He shook himself mentally as he looked towards the trees. It was as if he was sure he was being watched, but there was no one in sight.
"Get your lazy ass into gear, Jax!"
The voice belonged to his foreman and Norm looked like he was in his usual humour; bad. Jax sighed. The last thing he needed was to aggravate the older man so early in the day. That could lead to hours of jibes and coarse jokes as well as puerile practical jokes. He did not want the man on his back today and he instantly fled as far away from Norm as he could validly be.
****
As the day wore on, Jax concentrated on doing a good job of the plastering work. This was his current speciality, but he was working hard on carpentry as a second, although his brickwork needed a lot more practice. He stretched, groaning softly as he heard various clicks as he worked out the kinks. He was working on a bedroom and he moved aside the tarpaulin over the mirror to gaze thoughtfully at his reflection.
His hair was chocolate brown and loose would reach his shoulders in a mix of waves and curls. However, he tied it back securely and gelled it in place when around his co-workers. His eyes, a lush, liquid mocha and his finely-boned features were all inherited from his mother. Although his frame was slender, he had his share of solid muscle. He would be sacked in an instant if he had been unable to move a barrow of bricks when called up to do so. He was tormented by Norm not because the older man knew Jax to be gay, but because he simply thought it. Jax shuddered at the thought of how worse it might be if Norm knew the truth. He recovered the mirror and angled himself to look out of the window.
To keep his distance from the foreman, he was working on the third story rooms. From his elevated vantage point he could see those workers outside. He gave a sigh as his eyes fell on one in particular. Over six feet of bronzed skin and solid muscle and his name was Bray. He was also the object of Jax's hyper-active sexual fantasies. Jax was not sure if it was wishful thinking or whether, just occasionally, Bray seemed to look at him with what appeared to be interest. However, he was one of the crew that did not get involved in the jokes or tricks played on him.
It had taken thoughts of a naked Norm to quell Jax's libido when he had first seen Bray naked to the waist, his tanned skin glistening with sweat. He did not dare make the first move. If he was wrong he risked antagonising a friend and allay and he was not prepared to do that. Bray was one of the most talented men in the crew; bricks, carpentry and plastering as well as competent to assist the electricians, and Jax hoped to emulate the older man's talents.
Glancing at his watch he grinned when he saw it was lunchtime. Sure enough a whistle blew to alert everyone and tools were set aside. Some of the men ate in town every day; others brought a lunch made up by the motel to eat at tables along the lake. Jax tried to alternate between finding somewhere on his own and joining his colleagues to ensure he did not alienate anyone. However, today he had a packed lunch. It had been made up by the motel owner's other daughter, Helena. The box felt quite heavy. He had hidden the box inside a wardrobe. He did not dare leave anything like that where Norm could contaminate it. As he had in the past.
Checking Norm was nowhere to be seen, Jax headed to a picnic table not far inside the woods. He liked occasional solitude and he had picked up a good 'history-mystery' book to read as he ate. Opening his package he stared at the contents, shaking his head and smiling. He had two large sourdough sandwiches with roast turkey and cranberry jelly. There were two sealed containers one with a small green salad, the other fresh coleslaw. A carton of apple juice was snuggled in alongside an apple and a homemade raspberry muffin. He would be able to save the muffin to have with his tea break.
Engrossed in his book, it took a moment for Jax to realise he was being watched and he looked up with a start. He relaxed almost immediately as he gazed into elderly, amused grey eyes.
"I didn't mean to disturb you," the older man said. "But, you're one of the workers on the motel up the road aren't you?"
"Yes," Jax smiled.
"I had a though to do that when I was a young man, but my Dad insisted I get a proper job. I became an accountant, but I always thought I would have been good working with my hands."
"I'm sure you would," Jax said. He had no objections to being disturbed. It was obvious the old man was lonely and Jax was happy to chat until he heard the shrill whistle.
"Back to it?" the old man asked.
"Yep," Jax said.
"My names Jack," the old man said, easing to his feet and beginning to head towards the road, away from Jax's direction. "I hope to chat again, if you don't mind."
"I'm Jackson, but everyone calls me Jax. I won't be here every day, but if I am, you're more than welcome," the younger man said as he hurried back to work. He did not see the thoughtful look on the old man's face as he turned to watch Jax.
****
Taking his seat at the table again, Jax looked around and smiled. It was good to be able to sit and eat outdoors. This time his lunch was a meat and vegetable filled pasty, tomato salad and slaw. An apple and a slice of pumpkin pie for dessert and a carton of apple juice to wash it all down. He was sure the girls gave him extra. They always giggled and blushed when they handed him his lunch pack.
He waved in response to that of Jack's greeting as the older man came into view and headed for the table.
"Mind if I join you?" he asked.
"Not at all," Jax grinned.
"Looks like you're being well fed at the motel," Jack said as he eyed Jax's lunch. He laughed at Jax's blush. "I see," he said. "They're good girls. They'll find themselves their Mr Rights in good time. Not as though you can let them know you're looking for a Mr Right of your own."
Jax almost choked on the pasty he had bitten into. How had Jack worked that out?
