Page 19 of Manny Included

“Here, let me rub a minute.”He knew enough about massage to help.

“I won’t say no.Where do you want me?”

“Just sit.”He stood and walked around the back of the recliner.

Bay plonked down and dropped his head down onto his chest.He groaned the minute Pete touched his shoulders.

“Oh, you’re so tight.Poor man.”He got into massaging, straight away, digging his thumbs into the tight muscles.

Bay groaned again.“Damn, you’re good at that.”

“I took a couple of massage therapy courses in college.”He liked making people feel better.

“A man of many talents.I must say, I’m glad you have this one.”

“Thank you.I appreciate you being so kind.”He’d needed that last night.

Bay shrugged.“We’re all hurting, right?And you’ve had to be strong for the kids ever since it happened.”

“Yes.They deserve it.”

“Yeah.”Bay sighed.“Everything about this is hard.No matter where you turn.”

“Yes.”He didn’t have any other answer but that.

“Except this,” Bay noted.“This is not hard.At least not on my end.Thank you.”

They were going to have to be friends, he thought.They had years together.“You’re very welcome.”

“I’ll pay you not to stop,” Bay told him.

“This isn’t part of the job,” he teased.“This is person to person.”

“Then I’ll beg you not to stop.My entire back is aching.”

“I imagine.You held me all night.”And it was probably not the smartest thing ever.

“Next time, it would make more sense to do it lying down.”

“Yes.”Wait.Whoa.That was… Oops.

Bay didn’t seem to find anything wrong with it, though, simply groaning again as Pete found a tight knot.

Maybe Bay was just… being kind…

That seemed to make more sense.

He kept working Bay’s muscles, not saying another word, just concentrating on working that knot.When it finally loosened up, Bay muttered, “Oh, fuck.”

“There we go.”He was making a swear jar.

“Damn.I think that’s been hurting me since I got the news.You’re a miracle worker.”

“I just took some classes, but I’m super glad it helped.”He needed to start breakfast, get the kids up and moving for the day.

“It really did.Thank you.I’ve never taken lessons, but I could give it a try if you have some kinks you need worked out,” Bay offered.

“I—could I have a hug?Is that weird to ask for?It’s probably weird, isn’t it?”