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“I get it. Being a gay kid isn’t easy no matter what, but when you’re already under a lot of scrutiny, it’s even harder. My mom wasn’t supportive of me because of my sexuality at all.”
“I’m glad you get it.”
Our food arrived a few minutes later and as we ate, I slid my foot over to touch his under the table. When I first made contact, he pulled away and mumbled an apology through a mouthful of burger. A few moments later, I tapped his foot with mine gently and winked when he looked at me.
“Oh,” he said, realization dawning on him. He stretched his leg out and let his calf rest against my shin. The casual touch sent a thrill through me, and I craved more.
When lunch was over, not ready to say goodbye, I invited him to take a walk around the city with me. Bennett gave me a smile and a nod and left me wondering if he was feeling the same—uninterested in ending our long day together.
As we meandered up and down the city streets, mostly going toward the river, we held hands and talked about nothing in particular. The day was warm for March and I guided him toward the river walk, a long stretch of sidewalks and trails that skirted the river.
When we reached the head of the river walk trail, Bennett looked out over the river and breathed deeply. “I love it here.”
I couldn’t tear my gaze away from him. He looked so at peace, a loose smile on his face as he gripped the handrail and looked down into the water. His dark brown hair fell in his face, ruffled by the breeze coming off the water. I watched him watch the river rush by for a long moment.
“What do you love about it?”
He turned to me, leaning against the rail with his back. “It’s so peaceful. I know Grandlin River is a big, chaotic body of water, but somehow when I’m near it, everything seems calm and my problems feel unimportant. I don’t feel like I have tothinksomuch when I’m out here. I just watch the water rushing by and it carries everything with it.”
I nodded, understanding fully. “That’s what I like about the water, too. I don’t have to think about anything but being on the water. I’m sure that contributed to my dream of being a boat captain.”
We walked hand in hand until the sun began to set. My phone vibrated intermittently in my pocket, but I ignored it. There was nothing that couldn’t wait, nothing that either Jude or Ross couldn’t handle on my day off. Unlike my parents, I had always tried to find a way to make time off, rather than working myself to the bone, and my employees and colleagues all knew that if they needed me and I didn’t answer, they’d have to figure things out without me.
Eventually, the chill in the air and the setting sun were too much to ignore, and we made our way back to the car. We were quiet as we headed back to his house, and once I was parked in his driveway, I exhaled slowly. “I’ve had a good time today.”
Bennett nodded. “Me too. I can’t believe the baseball game was just this morning. It feels like it was weeks ago.”
I shifted in my seat to face him. “I’ll call you tomorrow, if that’s okay.”
He tilted his head to the side again. “You have my number. You can text me, too, you know.”
With a grin, I nodded. “You’re right. I don’t have a lot of friends who text, but I can certainly make an exception for you.”
“I like the sound of that.” He hesitated a moment before continuing. “So, next weekend?”
“Absolutely. Saturday night. I’ll text you the details and we’ll figure out a plan.”
“Sounds perfect,” he murmured.
I leaned in close and kissed him gently. As our lips touched, he opened to me with a sigh and our tongues glided together. Wekissed for a long, long time, in no hurry to do anything more, before he finally pulled away.
“I should go. Thank you for today. I had a great time. I can’t wait for next weekend.”
“Me too.”
With that, he climbed out of the car and made his way into his house. I watched until his door was shut, Bennett safely inside, before I forced myself to drive away.
Chapter Eleven
Bennett
Spending time with Dex had put me on cloud nine. My heart was light, and I made my way through work the following week with a spring in my step every day. I was still walking on air a week later, in fact. Mom’s cancer treatments were going well, and the doctors were speaking with cautious optimism. There was only one thing hanging over my head thatwasn’tgreat, and that was the fact that I needed to come clean to Mom and Tamara about the grant money. Instead of dwelling on it, though, I spent my free time daydreaming about Dex at work, talking about Dex to friends, and texting Dex every evening. I even dreamed about Dex at night. I was like a teenager again, absolutely infatuated with my crush.
On Friday, Mom called me and asked me to come to lunch the next day, the same day I was supposed to go to the concert with Dex. I told her I could come, but what I didn’t tell her was I had to leave early enough to get home and change before Dex picked me up. I wasn’t quite ready to spill about my… what was he, anyway? Just a guy I’d hung out with… gone on a date with…fucked. Well, Idefinitelywasn’t going to tell them the last part, that much was for sure.
I arrived at Mom and Tam’s house, the home I’d grown up in, which was about a half hour outside of Port Grandlin, a little after noon. I had a store-bought apple pie in my hand. I always tried to bring dessert when we got together, and that day was no different. When I came through the door, Mom jumped up from where she was resting on the couch and rushed to hug me, careful not to squish the pie as she wrapped her arms around my neck.
“Mmm, I’m so glad you’re here.” The hug was warm and firm and lasted a little too long. When she released me, she took the pie out of my hands and hurried into the kitchen with it.
