Love's Home

Chapter 4-1

Chapter 4

It wasn’t easy for Trey to convince the set manager that he really had something important to do that he couldn’t come for the shoot the next day. As for Jesse, they simply said that he had better come to work soon or he’d lose his job. It was on the tip of Trey’s tongue to tell them to f**k off.

“How’s the pancake?” Trey asks, pouring more syrup onto Jesse’s plate. He is glad to see Jesse devouring everything he puts in front of him. Jesse looks up at him, smiling.

“Been years since I had pancakes for breakfast.”

“Yeah?” Trey smiles back at Jesse.

“Yeah! The last time was at home—” Jesse stops mid-sentence, his eyes suddenly dimming.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Trey asks, concerned.

Jesse gives him a watery smile. “Nothing.” They exchange looks before Trey straightens up, palms flat on the table.

“All right, finish your breakfast and then we’re out of here.”

Jesse hurries up with his last bites.

“Wait up, will you?”

Trey only laughs and strides out of the kitchen with Hyde and Sierra trailing behind him.

* * * *

Jesse was thinking Salvation Army when Trey said he was taking Jesse to buy new clothes. Instead, they are now parked in front of a huge mall bustling with well-dressed people going about their business.

“We can’t go buying my clothes here,” he says apprehensively.

“Why not? Besides, where else are we going to go?”

“Umm, one of those thrift stores?”

Trey’s face twists. “Look, Jesse. If it’s money, don’t worry about it.”

Jesse looks away. “I’m going to pay back every single cent. I’m not sure how since I don’t know whether I’ll have work tomorrow.”

“Then just don’t pay at all.”

Jesse stares at Trey, whose face has hardened.

“Trey—”

But Trey is already out of his truck, slamming the door hard. Jesse has no choice but to follow him.

“Come on, man, what are you talking about?”

“Exactly what you heard. Don’t pay me back. Consider this a present.”

“But—but you hardly know me. Why…” He doesn’t know what to say that will not hurt Trey’s feelings. It is a dent to his pride but he does need Trey right now. What would he do if Trey threw him out?

“Look,” Trey says softly, “it’s all right. Come on. I know this is hard for you and I’m not going to make it even harder, so yeah, you’ll pay me back, anytime. Just—don’t think too much about it, okay?”

Jesse forces a smile. “You’re too good to me.”

Trey laughs. “No, I’m not. Come, follow me.”

They go from one store to another, Trey choosing and paying for the shirts and jeans, underwear, and a pair of shoes. Jesse protests about the shoes, saying that he still has his own but Trey ignores him and buys them anyway.

“…Oh, and some socks. And a backpack. You need a cap, too.”

“Why ever do I need a cap?”

Trey only grins and drags Jesse away to look at the display of caps.