Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79319 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79319 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
“Yeah. We’re friends.”
JC cocked his head curiously. “He’s a good friend to have. And Elmwood is a good place to live, but you should talk to Bryson. He’s the real estate agent in the family. I think he was surprised by the house news…and corn news.”
“I play for Denver. I don’t see myself moving to Elmwood.”
“Trust me, I didn’t either.” He patted my shoulder and turned to the kitchen. “Another order of poutine coming up!”
Okay, that was confusing. I headed for the restroom, fist-bumping a few regulars along the way.
Conversation and laughter drifted under the door, and some old-timey song was playing on the speakers. I stared at my reflection, hands braced on the counter, and let myself wallow in uncertainty.
Which was totally ludicrous ’cause there was nothing uncertain here. I was still me, and Elmwood was the same as always. Camp was almost over and soon, I’d go home to visit and then to Denver. And my team would play Jake’s, and everything would be the way it used to be. And I wasn’t going to hate it.
It would be familiar.
It would be fine.
Another round of poutine and a few servings of exaggerated hockey exploits later, we settled our bill, paid for the campers’ and the girls’ meals, and agreed to meet up at the Black Horse for drinks. It was large-group mentality. I wasn’t sure who was really interested in continuing the party, but the mood was light and it was easier to go with the flow than to make up excuses.
“You driving with us?” Denny asked, flipping his keys as he pushed the diner door open.
“Nah, I’ll get a ride with Milligan.”
“Leave Milligan alone,” Denny chided.
I flung an arm over Jake’s shoulder instead. “Now, how is that any fun?”
I got the laugh I’d been angling for, and Jake delivered the annoyed look everyone was counting on, and it was very…expected. They’d have been shocked as hell at our sighs of relief as we reached across the console of his SUV and linked our fingers.
We held hands for a few blocks. Jake let go on Main Street and drove through town, passing Town Hall, the fountain, and the antique lampposts that reminded me of movies my aunt loved to watch. He continued past the long road leading to Denny and Hank’s farm, and the shorter private one leading to his street.
We kissed in the SUV, languid slides of tongue, no hurry whatsoever. Eventually we made our way inside, undressed each other, and climbed into bed. My hands and mouth were everywhere at once. We gyrated wildly until need and desire reached mission critical. He prepped his hole, opened his legs, and invited me in. We’d talked about me bottoming for weeks, but somehow, this was how we always ended up. Jake begging for my cock and me wanting to give him anything he asked for.
Anything at all.
My body, my time, my every fucking thought.
I moved with purpose as if this were another language. One I hoped he understood. And when we floated back to Earth, I hoped Jake knew this was where I wanted to be. Right here. Next to him.
But I’d play my part.
I’d go to the bar, I’d chat with the tourists, and flirt if necessary. And no one would suspect that the need to be together was so intense that we’d risked the scrutiny of showing up late. They thought they knew us…individually and as a couple of guys who tolerated each other ’cause we had to.
The truth was so much better. It was almost sad that they’d never know.
25
TRINSKY
“Where are you taking me, Milligan?”
The road narrowed at the base of the forest. The remnants of twilight were lost in the deep green foliage and long shadows sliced the landscape, giving it a slightly foreboding ambience. My guess was that this was an alternate route to Wood Hollow. The trademark hollowed trees lining the paths were a solid clue, as was the lake sparkling in the distance. It was beautiful. I just wasn’t sure what the fuck we were doing.
“I’m kidnapping you,” Jake said after forever.
“I figured.”
“We’re going camping.”
I twisted in my seat with a laugh. “No, anything but that.”
“Trust me. It’ll be fun.”
Jake parked in a thicket away from the campground lot, grabbed two duffels, and handed one to me. He trained a flashlight on the path and led us to a small clearing on the lakeside. We erected the two-man tent in record time, and sat side by side on a blanket overlooking the lake.
“So you just happened to have a tent in your trunk?”
Jake’s lips curved in a shy smile. “No. This was a surprise. Like…a date, but without any weirdness.”
“Oh. Did you bring Pop-Tarts?”
He nodded. “Of course. And some basics. There was no grand plan to do this tonight or even tomorrow, but I thought I should have supplies ready so we could come here one more time before camp is over. Tonight seems like a good night.”