Chapter 10: Kitchen Confessions
455 Words
Chapter 10: Kitchen Confessions
As the moon cast a silvery glow over Beaumont Manor that night, Robert sat on a stool in the kitchen, absently toying with a half-empty glass of wine. Jared, shirtless and sweaty from a workout, entered the room carrying a tank top. His demeanor was less formal than usual.
"Oh — I didn’t think anyone would be in here," Jared remarked, pausing at the sight of Robert.
"I’m too restless to sleep. I thought this might help," Robert replied, lifting the wine bottle as Jared checked the label.
"That’s a pretty expensive sleeping pill," Jared quipped.
"I’m sure my father won’t mind," Robert joked casually.
Suddenly self-conscious about being shirtless, Jared apologized for his appearance. “Sorry about this. I was just working out and —”
“It’s okay. You look...great.”
Flattered, Jared placed his tank top on the counter rather than pulling it on.
“Why don’t you join me for a drink? There’s still half a bottle left,” Robert suggested.
"Are you sure?”
Robert smiled warmly. “Jared, relax. We’re good.”
Jared pulled a clean wine glass from a cabinet and handed it to Robert. Then he pulled over a stool and sat down while Robert filled the glass with wine for Jared, who looked at Robert lovingly. “My father loved this house, you know. And yet sometimes I still feel like I don’t quite fit.”
"Come on, Jared. You’re practically family. That’s how we all thought of you," Robert assured him.
“And how do you think of me now?”
Robert stared at him dubiously. “Do I really have to answer that?” He paused, then added, “Like a brother.”
Jared put his hand on Robert’s leg. “Like a brother? I remember a time when —”
Robert quickly interrupted Jared. “That was a mistake and I’ve apologized for it.” He moved his leg from Jared’s hold.
Jared pleaded with him. “You and I are soulmates. We both know it.”
Upset, Robert stood up from his stool. “No, Mark and I are soulmates. You need to accept that.”
Angrily, Jared pounded his fist on the counter. “Why do you keep throwing that in my face?”
“Because I need you to understand it. Permanently.”
“What if I don’t want to?” Jared fired back.
“Then you’re in for a lot of disappointment and I don’t wish that on you.” Robert stepped toward the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow. At my wedding.” Then Robert stepped out of the kitchen.
Jared chugged down the rest of his wine. “We’ll see about that!”
- Writer
