Seth's Chance [Brac Pack 27]

Brac Pack 27
Seth’s Chance
SETH’S CHANCE
Brac Pack 27
Lynn Hagen
EVERLASTING CLASSIC MANLOVE

 

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IMPRINT: Everlasting Classic ManLove

SETH’S CHANCE
Copyright © 2012 by Lynn Hagen E-book ISBN: 978-1-61926-850-0

First E-book Publication: July 2012

 

Cover design by Jinger Heaston

 

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Seth’s Chance
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SETH’S CHANCE
Brac Pack 27
LYNN HAGEN
Copyright © 2012
Chapter One

“Coming,” Seth called out as he wiped his hands on the dish towel and passed by his nephew Oscar, who was playing on the carpet with his toys. He smiled at Oscar as his nephew glanced over at the door curiously, the small fire truck poised in his hand.

The knocking continued, irritating Seth. Whoever it was didn’t seem to have any patience. What did the knocker think, that he camped out by his front door so he could answer it in less than five seconds?

Placing the palms of his hands on the door, he glanced out of the tiny peephole and saw that it was his neighbor from across the hall. The man had just moved in this past weekend, but Seth hadn’t met the guy, not formally. Seth pulled the door open, blocking his new neighbor’s view from his apartment. Paranoid, maybe, but Seth had lived in the city before coming to this small town. In the city, people didn’t let anyone see what they had in their place. That was asking to get robbed.

Old habits really did die hard.

“Can I help you?” Seth asked as politely as he could. He really wasn’t a neighbor kind of guy. He wasn’t a stuck-up man, but he didn’t believe in letting everyone who lived around him know his business. He was more of a private type.

“Hi, I’m Tyler. I just moved in across the hall and was wondering if you knew any good places around here to eat?”
Seth could hear Oscar behind him. His nephew was still playing on the carpet. He made sure the door stayed only opened a sliver as he nodded. “There is a diner across town. They have pretty good food.” Seth should know. He worked there. Seth knew there weren’t many places to eat in town, but the diner served pretty good food. It wasn’t the usual slop most diners Seth had been in served, which surprised him when he first started working there.
“Sounds good,” Tyler said and then gave Seth a very charming smile. The smile was bright, lighting up Tyler’s grey eyes, making his face seem just a bit younger. “Would you mind going with me?”
“To the diner?” Seth asked. The man was nice looking enough, and his voice was sexy and alluring, but there was something about the man’s steel-grey eyes that was off-putting. Seth wasn’t sure what it was, but he knew to listen to his gut. As nice as the man’s broad shoulders were to look at, and as tempting as his pretty face was, Seth wasn’t interested. “I can’t, but it’s not hard to find. It’s across from the gazebo.”
“Yeah, I know where that’s at.” Tyler smiled at Seth, a smile that should have made his body tingle with delight and his knees a little weak, but it only made a cold shiver run down his spine. Seth could see an underlying intention. He wasn’t sure what that intention was, but it was there in Tyler’s eyes.
“Have a nice night.” Seth closed the door and locked it, placing the safety chain in the slot. Yeah, he was paranoid, but again, the city did that to a guy. He pushed Tyler from his mind as he walked back into the kitchen, putting the clean dishes from dinner away. He wiped the counter down and shut the light off.
“What movie are we watching tonight, buddy?” Seth asked as he pulled Oscar from the floor and sat him on the couch. His nephew was six years old and had been badly burned in a house fire that claimed his parents. His legs had been badly burnt, making it hard for Oscar to walk sometimes. He was in physical therapy, but the doctors weren’t too optimistic about Oscar gaining full use of his legs again. Seth had to homeschool Oscar for now. The strenuous play in first grade was too much for the little guy.
Seth and Oscar stared at each other for a moment when they heard a crash out in the hallway of the apartment building. Seth got up and looked out of the peephole. Tyler was bent down, cleaning up tools that had fallen to the floor. Seth took a step back when Tyler glanced toward his apartment door. Although he knew the man couldn’t see him, it was eerie.
Tyler moved in a little after Seth had. The man was quiet, reserved, and gave Seth the creeps. The man had never given Seth a reason to be afraid of him, but that still didn’t stop him from getting weirded out every time he saw the man.
“What’s wrong?” Oscar asked from the couch.
Seth shook his head, glancing out of the peephole again, but Tyler was gone, the mess cleaned up. “Nothing, buddy. Someone dropped something.”
Seth popped the DVD in and sat on the couch, settling back with Oscar and Bubba. Bubba was Oscar’s bear from the hospital, and Oscar took him everywhere. Seth had even caught Oscar a time or two trying to feed the stuffed animal. Oscar was smaller than most six-year-olds, and having to deal with a disability now was just another strike against the small guy. But Seth was determined to teach Oscar that he could do anything and become anyone he wanted to be.
His nephew wasn’t long in falling asleep, his tiny body tucked deep into Seth’s side.
Grabbing his small nephew, Seth carried him to his bedroom and tucked him in, snapping on the night-light before closing the bedroom door. As he crossed the living room, intending to go into the kitchen for a glass of water, Seth found himself heading back toward the apartment door. He wasn’t sure why, but he was again peering out of the tiny hole.
The hallway was clear, the door across from his was closed, but Seth couldn’t help but wonder about the man who had moved in across the hall. He shook his head as he walked away and settled on the couch. Living in the city for so long had desecrated his brain cells. Everyone was a suspect.
Seth stretched out on the couch. The apartment was only a onebedroom, the only thing he could afford. He had given the bedroom to Oscar and Seth took the couch. It wasn’t a bad deal. The couch was deep, cushiony, and quite comfy.
It still wasn’t a bed, but not bad for a runner-up. It wasn’t like he had lived the high life before coming here to care for Oscar anyway. Having his own place was a step up from the house he shared with two other guys.
Seth was basking in the privacy.
Even with a six-year-old living here, Seth was in heaven.
He slept soundly, waking the next morning to the sounds of Oscar struggling from the bed. Seth yawned and then rolled from the couch, padding his way to his nephew’s room. Oscar was tangled in the sheets, trying to get them from his legs. He couldn’t kick his legs to untangle himself like any other person could do. It was more of a chore for him.
“Hang on, buddy,” Seth said as he unwound the sheet, tossing it aside. He helped Oscar to his feet and then headed into the kitchen to start breakfast. Thank goodness he had today off from work. There were things he needed to get done, and Oscar had a physical therapy appointment in the afternoon.
As he set the plate of food in front of Oscar, the phone rang. Seth grabbed it from the cradle as he ruffled Oscar’s hair. “Hello?”
“Good morning, my sweet little morsel.”
Seth grinned. The deep rumble of Chance Lakeland’s voice was always a great way to start his day. Just hearing Chance’s voice made his stomach knot and his palms sweat. It was like being a teenager all over again and experiencing his first crush, which was ridiculous, but true.
The man had confused and baffled Seth when they first met, but after two months of hanging out together, Seth found that he really enjoyed Chance’s company. Just hearing the man’s sweet voice was like a breath of fresh air. “Good morning.”
Seth could have sworn he heard a contented sigh on the other end of the phone, but maybe that was wishful thinking. Not only were the two of them friends, but Seth was crushing on the man big-time. Could a grown man crush? He wasn’t sure, but it felt like that. “I know you have today off. I was wondering if I could come by.”
Seth’s heart sped up. He loved spending time with Chance. “When?”
Seth heard a knock at the door. It was loud, making the door shake on its hinges. He frowned as he headed into the living room. He hoped it wasn’t Tyler again. The man was nice looking, but Seth really wasn’t interested. The guy did give off bad vibes. “Hang on, someone is at my door.” He sat the phone on the table next to the door and then opened it, grinning like a goof when he saw Chance standing there wiggling his thick black brows.
“How about I come over now?”
Seth chuckled as he moved aside to allow Chance room to enter. He grabbed the phone, hanging it up. “I guess now would be fine.”
They were friends, nothing more. Seth wasn’t ready to make that commitment. He had Oscar to look after and a very busy life. He didn’t think it fair to toss his leftover time to Chance.
The man deserved more.
Chance was cool about it, coming over any chance he could find. The man was great company. It didn’t hurt that Chance was dropdead gorgeous either. His crushing would have to be just that. If Seth wasn’t ready to commit, then he needed to keep his feelings about the man to himself. But at times like this, when he was staring into Chance’s handsome face, that decision was difficult as hell to maintain.
“Don’t you have to work the ranch today?” Seth asked as he walked back into the kitchen, Chance on his heels.
“Nope, Pa told me I could hang out with you and Mr. McGavin.” Chance made a pose like the Incredible Hulk, flexing as his face scrunched up. He gave a loud growl. Oscar slid from his chair, mimicking the man. Seth was becoming impressed with Oscar’s little growl. It was improving.
Chance always referred to Oscar as Mr. McGavin. He said it made Oscar feel important. As long as Oscar was happy, Seth didn’t say a word. His nephew usually didn’t take to strangers, but over the course of the last two months, he and Chance were the best of buds.
Jealous? Maybe, but Seth only wanted Oscar to be happy, even if he wasn’t the little guy’s favorite. Chance had that honor.
Seth watched as Chance’s entire body flexed as he took a seat at the table. It was like a mountain realigning itself. The formfitting red shirt over Chance’s chest shifted as he moved, showing off welldefined biceps and a chest that made Seth want to beg to see. He may not be ready for a relationship, but he wasn’t blind. Seth cleared his throat at the sight.
“There is some breakfast on the stove if you’re hungry.” Seth left the kitchen, breathing out slowly at the impressive sight of Chance. He walked into Oscar’s bedroom, stripping the bed down and remaking it with fresh sheets. He had to do something with his hands because they were itching to slide over Chance’s chest and feel every dip and fine line the man possessed.
He was going to wait to straighten Oscar’s room, but Seth didn’t want Chance to see the raw need in his eyes. It would be embarrassing considering they weren’t sleeping together. He didn’t want to give Chance the wrong idea.
“Need any help?” Chance’s voice was low, with a warm edge that made Seth’s cock jerk in his sweatpants. He kept his back to Chance, praying he didn’t make a fool of himself.
“I’m just going to run some laundry downstairs. Do you mind sitting with Oscar?” He grabbed the basket and tossed the dirty sheets into it, placing the basket in front of his groin. Okay, it was safe to turn around now.
He swallowed when he saw Chance resting a shoulder against Oscar’s door. His eyes were slightly hooded, and he was looking at Seth like he knew what the man was feeling. There was no way Chance knew how much lust and desire was coursing through him right now, but those pretty grey eyes were telling a different story.
Chance nodded, speaking low and oh so seductively. “I can watch him.”
That tone of voice wasn’t helping his erection go anywhere.
Seth scooted by Chance. There really wasn’t much room. The door wasn’t that big, but Chance was. At six five, Chance took up a lot of space.
“I’ll be right back,” he said in a low and timid voice as he grabbed some quarters and then headed toward the door, putting plenty of space between him and the sexiest man on the planet. Just smelling Chance’s scent as he passed by the man was about to make him explode in his pants.
Damn, he needed to pull himself together.
Once Seth was clear of the apartment, he felt like he could breathe normally again. He wasn’t an out-of-control teenager with crazy hormones. Seth was a grown man with a responsibility. Melting to the floor in a pile of goo wouldn’t be a good thing, not for Seth at least.
He trotted down the steps to the basement. It was the only laundry facility close enough, but damn if Seth hated coming down here. The basement was creepy as hell.
He walked down a long corridor with only one bare lightbulb to guide the way. The walls were an ugly minty green, and the paint was peeling with rust stains splotched every few inches. The apartment building was nice, but the basement seemed to have been neglected. The pipes overhead were exposed, running the course of the ceiling, and the boiler was loud as it clanked and moaned.
Seth walked into the room that housed the washers and dryers. It was coin operated, and there were only two washers and two dryers, which worked when they wanted to.
He emptied Oscar’s sheets into the washer, sliding his coins into the tiny metal slot. Usually he had to wait until Oscar was asleep to come down here. There was no way he was bringing a six-year-old into Freddy Krueger’s hideout. That was exactly what this room reminded Seth of. He was waiting for a man in a red-and-dark-greenstriped shirt with metal claws to jump out at any moment.
Seth shivered.
He turned to leave and started when he saw Tyler standing in the doorway with a wicker laundry basket tucked under his arm. His smile was polite, boyish even, but Seth’s skin felt like bugs were crawling all over him. Maybe it was imagining Freddy, or maybe it was the fact that Tyler just weirded him out. Seth was teetering toward the latter. How could a man be sexy and creepy at the same time? It just didn’t make any sense.
His eyes were watching Seth as if he were a jaguar in a tree waiting to pounce. The lids of his eyes were slightly lowered, just watching. Seth hurried past him, but Tyler’s size blocked his way. The man was broad in the shoulders, and that width extended to his waist. Tyler wasn’t a small man. He looked like he used to play football in high school. He still had that body shape, and wore it well, but his quiet mannerism was too dark for Seth’s taste.
“Excuse me,” Seth said as he tried to go around.
“My apologies, Seth.” Tyler stepped aside, but Seth could feel the guy’s eyes burning a hole in his back as he escaped down the dismal hallway. He jogged up the steps, leaning his back against the wall when he got to the first floor. What was it about his new neighbor that scared the shit out of him? The man had done nothing wrong except be polite.
When he heard Tyler coming up from the basement, Seth hurried to his apartment. Thank goodness he lived on the first floor. It made his escape easier. He quickly closed the door behind him and walked briskly back into Oscar’s room.
Seth needed a moment to catch his breath.
“Laundry done?”
Seth caught himself before he jumped out of his skin. Chance was grinning at him in the doorway, but his smile slid from his face. He must have seen the flushed look on Seth’s face. “What’s wrong?”
Seth smiled, waving Chance’s question away like a pesky bug. “Is Oscar finished eating?”
Chance’s face clouded with something close to anger, and then it slipped away that quickly, the semianger leaking out and a smile beaming brightly in its place. “He’s finished.”
“I was going to clean until Oscar’s appointment, but if you have something else in mind…” Seth let the sentence trail off as he set the basket in the large closet and then closed the door. For a tiny onebedroom, the closet space in Oscar’s room was amazing. All of Oscar’s and Seth’s clothes fit in there with room to spare. Considering he didn’t have a bedroom, that was a godsend.
“Naw, I just wanted to hang around the two of you today. We can watch a movie or I can watch you clean.” The teasing tone made Seth smile. No matter what was going on in his life, Chance always seemed to make him smile.