Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“Okay, so are we just fuck buddies?”
He winced. “I don’t think… I’m not sure I know how to do that.”
“Then I think it’s time we at least told people we’re working together. I can’t keep pretending I barely know you.”
“I know. That makes sense.”
Caleb waited a few moments for him to say more. “But?”
“But I like us having a secret. I like being with you without anyone else having an opinion or giving me advice.”
Was that really all it was? “I get that, but I don’t like lying to people. I mean, yeah, I see why it’s kind of fun to have a secret, but I’m not comfortable with it anymore.”
“Do you want us to stop?” Rhys looked panicked, and Caleb pressed a finger to his lips.
“I don’t want to stop seeing you. I didn’t mean to start something with someone from town. You know that. We knew what we were getting into, but I like you.”
“I like you too. I don’t know what will happen when everybody knows, but I know it will change things. I don’t want everyone’s opinion about being with you.”
Caleb sighed. “I know, and I really don’t want to be the focus of town gossip, but I also can’t keep lying. Can we at least tell people about our drink entry?”
Rhys closed his eyes for a moment, then looked at Caleb again. “Yes. I’ll tell Tessa in the morning. We won’t need to tell anyone else.”
Caleb could easily believe that. “So everyone will know by the time we go to Jonah’s party.”
Rhys snorted. “Everyone will know by midmorning.”
“That fast?”
“Yes.” He picked up his now empty cup and stood. “I should get going.”
Caleb wished he didn’t have to leave. What would it be like to spend the day together? He hoped he’d eventually find out.
After sitting his cup in the sink, Rhys toyed with the hem of his sweater. “Are you sure it’s okay if I wear this home?”
“Very sure. I wouldn’t mind if you wore it next time I see you. Then I could fuck you while you wear my sweater.”
“Really?”
Caleb pulled Rhys into his arms. “Really. You’d like that too, wouldn’t you. Thinking about it makes me want to keep you here.”
“I can’t stay, but, um… yeah, I think I’d like that.”
“Good.” Caleb gave him a light kiss. “Come on. Let’s go downstairs.”
Caleb made sure Rhys had his picnic basket, then followed him to the door to lock up behind him. “Goodbye, Little Red Riding Hood.”
“Goodbye, Caleb.” He was sure Rhys was blushing, but he couldn’t see in the dim light.
He watched Rhys get into his car and drive away, knowing that if they ended things after the festival, he was going to be a mess. He hadn’t been able to stop himself from falling hard for Rhys.
CHAPTER 23
Caleb got a call partway through the morning rush. He normally would have ignored it, but he saw Rhys’s name pop up. “Hey. Are you all right?”
“I didn’t tell her.”
Caleb’s heart sank. “Tessa?”
“Yes. She came in like usual, and I… I’m sorry. I’ll do it. I promise. I just…”
Caleb didn’t know what to say. Would Rhys tell her eventually? How long could they keep this up? Even if Rhys didn’t stay over again, someone was going to notice the time they spent together.
“Did you want this to be a surprise at the festival? Won’t everyone know once setup begins?”
Rhys sighed. “No. I mean, I didn’t mean to keep it a secret this long. I’m sorry. I just got scared.”
Caleb could understand that. He knew it was different for Rhys, having lived here his whole life, but could he keep this up? “Can we please tell everyone at Jonah’s party if you don’t do it before?”
“I… yes. I’ll figure it out.”
“Okay.” Caleb hoped he meant it. It would be a long night of trying to pretend in front of everyone otherwise.
“I’ve got to go.” Rhys’s voice was shaky. Caleb hated how panicked he sounded, but he also hated sneaking around.
Caleb wanted to protest, but he saw that the line of customers stretched out the door and Derrick was next in line. “All right. Talk later.”
“Pumpkin Spice Latte,” Derrick said before Caleb could ask.
“Coming right up.”
When the drink was done, Caleb handed it to him. “I’d love for you to show me around the lighthouse some day. It’s beautiful there.”
“No tours.”
“Okay, well—”
“Thank you for the drink,” he said then turned and hurried out.
What was up with him? Caleb had too much going on with Rhys and the festival entry, but some day, he was going to find out.
Caleb was almost late to his game the next night. He’d gotten tied up doing inventory he should have done the day before when he’d been lost in daydreams about the night to come. His evening with Rhys had turned out even better than he’d imagined, except for Rhys’s reluctance to tell anyone about them. Caleb didn’t want to put an end to things between them, but he was quickly getting in far too deep to still be worried Rhys might cut things off at any moment. He thought Rhys had feelings for him too. He certainly seemed to, but he also knew the man was scared.