“And maybe Trask too,” I chuckle. “I hope that’s okay but I promised him.”
“That’s cool,” Taron answers. “I want to meet your buddies. I’m still not convinced this Trask character exists!”
“Watch it,” I growl, a big smile on my face.
Another quick kiss. He hops out, backpack slung over one shoulder, waves once from the porch steps. I watch until he disappears inside.
Racer whines from the back.
“Yeah, boy. I know.”
I pull away, chest tight.
My worst, most pessimistic instincts tell me that he’s leaving eventually.
But it doesn’t stop me wanting more.
The diner’s already busy… Saturday morning crowd, locals in flannel and baseball caps, the smell of sizzling bacon and coffee thick in the air.
“Hell yeah,” I say to myself, my appetite growing by the second.
Trask has claimed our usual booth in the back corner, two plates stacked high: eggs over easy, sausage links, hash browns crispy, biscuits with gravy on the side. There’s a bowl of Kalebped bacon and scrambled egg bits on the floor for Racer, who dives in like he hasn’t eaten in days.
Trask looks up as I approach, grins wide. “Well, well. The mountain man returns. Survive the night?”
I slide into the booth opposite him, signal the server for two fresh coffees. Black. Strong.
“Don’t start,” I laugh.
“Too late.” Trask leans forward, elbows on the table. “You look…different. Less grumpy. Almost happy. Now I’m guessing this has something to do with a certain newcomer to town…”
I take the coffee when it arrives, burn my tongue on the first sip. But I don’t care.
“We camped,” I say, giving little away. “Talked. Watched stars. Made s’mores.”
Trask’s eyebrows climb. “S’mores? Romantic.”
“Shut up,” I growl, failing miserably as I try not to rise to Trask’s bait.
He laughs. “Come on, man. You’ve been mooning over this boy since he walked into the tavern. Overnight in the woods? That’s next level. You kiss him?”
I glare. Trask simply waits.
“Yeah,” I mutter finally. “We kissed. A lot.”
Trask whistles low. “And?”
“And nothing. We’re taking it slow.”
“Slow.” He snorts. “You’re falling for him, Kaleb.Hard.”
I don’t deny it. Just stare into my coffee. As much as I love the great outdoors, not much can beat the diner for coffee and breakfast. I’ve been coming here for years and could never imagine a world where I don’t either.
Trask takes a sip of his coffee and softens his approach. “Look. I’ve known you forever. You don’t do casual. You don’t do temporary. If he’s got you this twisted up, he’s special. Don’t bullshit yourself.”
“He’s going back to the city,” I say quietly. “Eventually. Has a life there. Writing. Agent drama is one thing but he’ll find another. Whatever. I’m not gonna ask the boy to stay for me.”
Trask leans back, crosses his arms. “Who said anything about asking? Just be honest. Tell him how you feel. If he’s the one… if he could beForever… don’t hold back because you’re scared he’ll leave. Give him the chance to choose. I know you’re the Daddy but you have to make it clear that he needs to decide.”