Page 53 of Hammer and Hops

“That job calls for a beer, dude.”

“No lie. I have some of Everett’s IPA in the fridge. Or…” We’d also installed a beer tap that held a full-sized keg. “We have the Cerveza Clara on tap right now.”

“Oh, is that the Mexican one?”

“Yep.” They actually used corn in that one along with the barley and hops, and it was one of my favorites.

“Dude! I’m down for that.”

I poured us each a beer, and we went out on the back porch, sitting under the umbrellas by the pool. The place came with a rough in-ground, but we resurfaced it and added a hot tub. It was now a gorgeous little paradise.

“This is nice, Cameron. I’m super proud of you.” He tapped his cup against mine.

“Thanks. Never thought I’d have this.”

“What this are you referring to? The house? The business? Or…” He wiggled his eyebrows, leering at me like a goof. “Everett?”

I smacked him in the chest. “Stop. Seriously, though. Everett first. Never thought I’d ever have any kind of relationship unless I moved away.” The rest of it fell in line after him.

“Who knew your future would move here instead? Just like mine did.”

“Maybe not just like yours but still.” Alfred had moved here kicking and screaming, and ultimately only went through with it because Eddy wanted him to and they not only worked together but were best friends. Jackie and him falling in love was like a side quest. “Well, maybe not too different.” Because Operation Get Everett to Relax had been an ongoing thing, which I conquered, of course. It was time for a new mission.

Operation Get Everett to marry me.

And it started with setting up this place before he got back from Sacramento, and I was running out of time.

“Come on, lazy ass, let’s get the rest of this knocked out.”

“Lazy? Holy shit. Can’t believe you called me lazy.”

“You do nothing but sit around the bookstore all day. It’s starting to show, man.” I couldn’t help teasing him. It was what we did, and he always punched back. This time with him flipping me the bird.

After we finally finished up, Jackie took off, and I stripped down to my boxers to jump in the pool. It was cool and refreshing, exactly what I needed as I stretched out on a floaty, closing my eyes. For once, relaxing was actually relaxing with no thoughts of unattainable futures. I didn’t think I'd dozed off, but maybe I drifted off some, only becoming alert at the sound of the slider opening.

“What’re you doing, Cam?” Everett stood there wearing khaki shorts, tank top, and flip-flops—like a summertime dream.

“Needed to cool off after all that hard work.” Truly, having the pool was going to be incredible. We’d be able to relax after running around all day, him in the brewery, me at any one or two of my job sites. I was currently running three. One finishing up, one mid-way through the process, and one just starting. It kept a nice flow of business.

“Hear of swim trunks?”

“Yeah, but I didn’t want to go find ‘em.” My clothes were still a bit of a mess. “Privacy fence means I don’t have to worry about it.” I wasn’t naked, after all.

“Hm…well, I brought dinner home, but I’ll stick it in the oven. I could use that hot tub right about now.” That was exactly how I pictured a lot of our life together going from here on out, including the takeout dinner, since neither of us cooked much.

“Sounds good. I can grill steaks tomorrow night. How’s that?”

“Perfect.” He waved and went back into the house.

While I waited for him to return, I got in the hot tub and turned on the heat and bubbles. Our yard wasn’t huge, but we had exactly what we needed. And in a few minutes, Everett joined me in the tub.

“This is so nice. I’m glad you talked me into it.” Everett slid his foot along mine.

“I think it was Alfred who talked you into it.”

“Maybe. Still glad.”

I grabbed him and pulled him into my lap. “I’m glad too. Of so many things. Especially you. I love you, Ever.”