“Eat this,” Tate told me. “I just made them fresh this morning. You’ll feel much better.”
I took a bite, and chocolate exploded on my tongue. Once I swallowed, I smiled at my uncle. “This is good, thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now drink some of that water, too.” Tate grinned, then ducked back behind the counter. His little coffee shop wasn’t officially open yet, but it was going to be insanely popular once the locals got wind of this place. He was an amazing cook and baker. He would have a line out the door every single morning.
Reed slid into the chair next to mine. “Feel better?”
“Sorry about that,” I muttered. I wasn’t ready to spill my feelings yet. “And thanks.”
He nodded. “Of course. That’s what friends are for, Cole. And speaking of friends, some of mine are having a party thisweekend. If you’re feeling up to it, we could go. You could meet some more people our age.”
“Sure.” But I didn’t want to meet anyone else but Reed. Right now, staring at him and looking at those chestnut brown eyes. I wanted to spend my entire summer getting to know Reed Kelly all over again. In every way imaginable. “Sounds great.”
Reed beamed happily. “What about tonight? Do you have plans? Silas has a race, and I was going to go. Would you like to come with me?”
“Silas.” I grunted out the name as I finished off the baked goodness Tate had given me. It was suddenly too dry in my mouth. Who the hell was Silas?
Reed nodded. “Yeah, he’s racing a late model at one of the dirt tracks. My parents will be there. You should come. It’ll be fun, and we can eat greasy track food.”
“I mean, if you want me to go...”
I wasn’t sure I wanted to go watch a race with Reed if he was that excited about another dude. And with his parents? They had to hate me. His mother hadn’t seemed that excited to see me earlier. What would she think if I showed up tonight to hang out with them? What if they treated me like crap?
Reed squeezed my arm. “I wouldn’t have asked you if I didn’t want you to come. And we’re going to have a great time tonight. Racing under the lights is something you really need to see in person.”
I didn’t care, as long as it meant I could spend more time with him and show Reed I was better than this Silas dude.
Chapter Three
Cole
Ileft Reed at his parents’ house with the promise to meet him six o’clock, so we could go to the race together. I still had no clue why he thought I would want to go with him to watch another guy. Why would that even be remotely fun for me? Maybe I should make up an excuse? Tell him I was going to spend time with family. Maverick had texted me. If I had to watch Reed kiss some dude after he won, I might have to punch him. Even if they were boyfriends. I wasn’t afraid to admit that I liked him. And I wasn’t sure I could handle just being friends with him.
As I stepped out of the shower, I stared at myself in the mirror. Reed had said he thought I was cute. Did he still like what he saw? I wasn’t that sixteen-year-old boy anymore, unsure of myself and scared of showing the world who I really was. I had worked hard to become the man I was. The muscles I had were more defined from the hours I put in at the gym and on the ice, and even though I hadn’t dated a guy other than Bryant, I wasn’t terrified to admit I was bisexual. People at school knew. My teammates and friends accepted me for who I was. I had just never found another man I was into until now.
I finished getting ready in the bathroom, then moved into my bedroom. I picked out a pair of clean black jeans and another Boston University shirt. I grabbed my hat, putting it on backwards, the way I always wore it, then grabbed my phonefrom where I had left it to charge. I noticed a text from my father, and I quickly unlocked my phone. I was eager to hear from him.
Dad:Hey, kiddo. Just wanted to check in. We’ve landed for the night in California for our layover. Love you. Be safe.
My throat grew tight. I missed him. Growing up, it had just been the two of us until Dean, and I loved that he was happy now and had found that special someone. I loved Dean like he was my father, too, but time was going by so fast. I hated to even think about that. Sometimes I wished I could just press pause for a week. To soak it all in. Spend time with them like I did when I was in high school.
Cole:I love you, too. I can’t wait to see pictures. Give Dean my love. Have fun. And I promise I’m being safe.
A notification went off on my phone just as I hit send, letting me know now someone was outside the front door, and sure enough, the doorbell rang, echoing through the kitchen. When I looked at the app, I was surprised to find Maverick standing on the porch. He grinned at the camera, waving happily like he knew I was watching him.
He gave me a quick hug when I opened the door, his emerald eyes sparkling. “I know it’s not cool to just show up unannounced, but I wanted to invite you over for dinner tonight. And I was just out running a few errands.” He tugged nervously on the sleeve of his sweater. Same old Maverick. Still wearing heavy clothing even when it was ninety degrees outside in North Carolina.
“That sounds like fun, Mav, but I already have plans tonight.”
The Olson house was always so loud and bursting with people. It would be fun to hang out with everyone, my family—because that’s what they officially were now. And Jackson was an NHL coach. I might be able to pick his brain and ask him about my hopes for the future.
“Oh, right, of course. I should have just texted. I’m sorry.” Maverick waved his hand at me.
I shook my head. “Mav, you can come by whenever you want. I just... Reed asked me to go the races with him tonight, and I couldn’t say no.”
“Is this a date?” Maverick’s face lit up like a Christmas tree. “Reed Kelly? Hutch’s son?”
I wanted to shut that idea down really fast. “It’s not a date. We’re just friends. But I could come by tomorrow. If you want. I would love to see everyone. It feels like it’s been forever.”