Page 46 of Wedding Wrecker

Jekyll sits by us, as if he knows we’re talking about him, and wags his tail against the floor. Just like Kyle, he’s friendly and hasn’t been hard to live with.

“Are you teaching today or only Sundays for now?”

Kyle’s shoulders sag as he plays with the food on his plate. “They can only give me Sundays at the moment. I’ll look around the businesses in town when you’re at work, see if they have any vacancies. I wanted to try finding something at a veterinary clinic, but there’s nothing in the two closest ones, and I can’t do a long commute until your leg heals. I asked Hassan if he knows about any openings, so fingers crossed.”

I can’t stuff my mouth fast enough with the delicious food, but I speak as soon as I get the chance to swallow. “What do you want to do at the vet's?”

Kyle chews the tomato salad he made and meets my gaze. “I really like animals. I want to work with them. And now that I won’t be joining the family business, I suppose I’m free to take it further. Since I was a kid, I thought being a vet would be the best thing. Back then, I thought I’d just get to pet all the animals, of course, but now I want to help them, you know? I figured it would be good to get some sort of job at a veterinary clinic, to make connections and learn things from the practical side.”

He’s already proven himself to be caring and kind in the past week, but now we’re talking about a future, and he gains a new dimension. I can imagine how well he would take care of animals with his patience and gentle touch.

And while his life is in turmoil, he’s been so much more at ease since arriving here. He even sits in a relaxed manner, with one leg tucked under him. Such a change from the tension he exuded during the pre-wedding events.

“I think you’d be a good vet. Did you have the grades for it? Would you consider college?”

Kyle shrugs. “I had good enough grades. It’s the money that’s the issue. Maybe once I have some savings, I’ll be able to look into it.”

The sudden urge to help him out is so pressing I have to gather my thoughts to know how to voice it. “My leg will take weeks to heal, so you can stay and figure things out in the meanwhile. And it’s only April. If you wanted to start a course in the fall, there’s still time to apply. I’ve been through the whole student loan meatgrinder, so I can help you work it out.”

He locks eyes with mine, and this time, there’s no secret teasing. He seems surprised. “Really? I mean… if you have the time.”

“Sure. I graduated last year, and I’m working on this business idea…” I realize I’ve only shared it with my sister so far, because I don’t want my parents to know until I get things going. “I have good connections at the stables, and I wanted to set up a horse trekking business. Start on the weekends and grow it if all goes well. We have amazing nature around town, there’s even a trail by the river, and people want something to do when they visit their kids at college. But…” I glance at my leg. “I’m not starting any time soon, so I have all the time in the world.”

Kyle stretches with a grin. “That’s a fantastic idea! I’m yet to see much of the area, so maybe you could use me as your guinea pig? I could give you pointers, and all that,” he suggests, smiling.

Yes. Yes, yes, yes. I want to do that so bad. Take him around and show him a good time on horseback.

Not like that.

Maybe.

Can you fuck on horseback?

I force myself back to reality with the deliciously bitter coffee. “Yes, let’s do that as soon as I’m able. Maybe I could ride with the broken ankle. I need to ask my doctor. You know your way around horses, so at least I won’t have to worry about you falling off.”

Kyle snorts. “You’re joking. I’m not gonna let you ride a horse with a broken ankle. Brisket and me are bros already, and I know he’d agree with me. We can do it once the doctor okays it.”

I sigh, a little deflated. I’m an active guy and two months with this ball and chain around my leg is not a prospect I enjoy pondering. “Deal. The day I’m free to walk normally, we go riding.”

“Deal,” Kyle agrees and bumps his fist against mine. “I hope it's the best trek of my life.”

“And in the meanwhile… It’s my day off. Since you haven’t found much other work yet, I might know a place looking for staff, and as we’ve established, you’re a great cook.” I wasn’t planning to pull strings with friends. If anything, I intended to let him face reality on his own, but he’s managed to soften me up within a week, and I no longer want to leave him scrambling when I could help.

His eyes widen. “A restaurant?”

“Cafe.”

I’m feeling undeniable pleasure from seeing his giddy smile. “Okay. But I might need to borrow a pair of pants.”

Chapter 18

Kyle

I enjoy teasing Logan. He always makes this tense face, and I am positive he’s been sizzling all morning, his head full of fantasies about me using that dildo in his shower. I always do it in ways that come with plausible deniability, but yeah, I did leave a sex toy for him to find. On purpose. Because for the first time in my life, I feel comfortable embracing my sexuality without the need to make excuses for stray thoughts about men. It is a huge change, but being in a new environment lets me start fresh, without the fear of being judged by people who’ve known me all my life. I might be inexperienced, but Logan has shown me what I need and I refuse to deny myself anymore.

My phone is still full of missed calls and messages calling me selfish. Even my sister, who is on the whole more understanding, thinks that the way I ended things with Madison makes me an ass. She doesn’t know the whole story though, and while I might tell it to her someday, the wounds are too fresh to prod. For now, I’m okay being the black sheep, and intend to choose who stays close to me.

I hope Logan becomes that person. He’s stubborn, and cynical, but I can see he’s kinder than he claims to be. Nothing would have stopped him from using me for sex and help, because I’d be too horny to refuse if he only gave me hope for more in the future, but he prefers honesty, and that makes me desire him more. Still, I see the way he watches me, and how relaxed he is when we spend evenings together. If we get enough time in each other’s company, I’m sure he’ll also realize we’re a good fit.