Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“You don’t have to ask that.”
“I want to.”
August hesitated a moment before saying, “Okay,” and launching into details of what Reese had told him about his day. Clint listened, noticing the joy in August’s voice, hearing how much his son’s happiness meant to him. It made Clint respect him even more. It was a lot to have a kid, to put their well-being above your own.
“I like hearing you talk about him.”
“You used to say that when we were kids too, when I spoke about animals.”
Yeah, he had. August’s pleasure had always meant a lot to him. “Your passion is contagious.”
“Shut up,” August replied, making Clint laugh.
“I give you a compliment, and you tell me to shut up.”
“I suck at this. I haven’t dated anyone in twenty years! I mean, not that we’re dating. Shit, I didn’t mean…”
Clint laughed. “We’re dating.”
“Good.”
“Agreed.”
“I should let you go,” August finally said. “It’s late, and I work tomorrow. Is there anything I should bring over for dinner?”
“Nope. Just you and Reese will be enough.”
Clint was more excited about it than he should be.
The next day, Clint had a job in Chelsea. It only took him until about noon, and then he texted his brother to see if he was free. He knew it was a long shot, but Ron said he could take lunch in about half an hour, so Clint grabbed some hibachi and headed over.
It was probably slightly immature that at forty-two he felt the need to tell Ron about him and August, but he always shared things with Ron. It helped him sort through his thoughts.
Ron’s office had a small area out back with a gazebo and a table under it, where his employees often went for breaks. Clint knew the gate code, which he punched in, and was just setting the food down when Ron peeked out the door.
“Oh, good. You’re here. I’m starving.” He joined Clint at the table. “What’s up? Don’t tell me nothing because I know there is.”
“I’m secretly dating August,” he blurted out.
Ron laughed. Hard.
“Shut up. You’re a horrible brother,” Clint teased, but really, he was the best.
“How long has he been back in town now? Not very long, and you’re already secretly dating him? First, I told you. Second, why secretly?”
Clint rubbed a hand over his face, trying to figure out how to explain it without going into too many details. “We hooked up. It wasn’t planned, but it happened. We talked about it afterward. He doesn’t want to jump into anything too fast. He’s already got a million other changes going on in his life. But most of all, he’s worried that if Reese gets attached to me and something goes wrong…”
“You’d never cut a kid out of your life because you broke up with their parent.”
“I know. He knows too. So we decided to take it slow, friends-with-benefits kind of thing, but between us for now. He won’t mind that I told you; he just doesn’t want Reese to know. That was in the afternoon. Then in the evening we talked and upgraded to saying we were dating. And now I’m here unloading it all on you.”
“I think this will be good for you. You’ve always cared a lot about August, which was why I told you that maybe he’s what you’ve been waiting for.”
“I wasn’t waiting for anyone. I just never fell in love with anyone.”
“Not consciously waiting for him, which you know is not what I meant. And maybe waiting is the wrong word, but there’s always been a bond there. You and August always had something special. The fact that you’re dating him in two point two seconds and talking to me about it isn’t a surprise. You haven’t fallen in love, but that doesn’t mean you won’t now. It’s never too late.”
Clint laughed off his brother’s response. “No one is talking about being in love.”
“I am.” Ron shrugged. He’d always been the kind of guy to say what he felt and stand strong by it. Clint wasn’t surprised he was so blunt about this.
“We’re just dating. Secretly.”
“Which is how it starts. One foot in front of the other, little bro. Dating always comes first.”
Clint poked around his food, trying to figure out exactly why he was there and what he wanted to say. Ron ate while he did because he knew Clint well.
“August and Reese will be over for dinner tonight. I’m going to start teaching Reese how to weld.”
“Does that make you nervous? August having a son, which means if the two of you get serious, you’ll be a stepfather.”
Clint had gotten used to the idea that he wouldn’t have his own family. He was okay with that. He loved his nieces and his dogs, and that had been enough for him. It was true, though, that he would be a big part of Reese’s life if he and August got serious. Reese was fifteen, but parenting didn’t stop at eighteen. August would always be Reese’s dad, and Clint wasn’t that. He never would be. He understood that, but he would be something to Reese.