Anyway…
The morning air coming through the cracked windows is just perfect. I’m feeling fresh and ready for some serious fun times with my bestie from the city. And I know Robbie is ready and waiting for some good old country fun too.
Robbie’s been talking nonstop since we picked him up at the bus station—hair in a messy topknot, oversized hoodie, the same infectious energy he’s always had. He’s got his feet up on the dash… Kaleb pretended not to notice… as he recounts every ridiculous story from the Littletown Play & Drink like I’ve been gone for years instead of weeks.
“…and then Mrs. Delgado comes in at seven-thirty sharp, same as always, orders her usual oat-milk latte with an extra shot, except this time she’s got this tiny dog in her purse—totallytiny—and it starts barking at the espresso machine like it’s personally offended. Full-on yapping. Customers are laughing, I’m trying not to lose it, and she just goes, ‘He’s protecting me from the noise,’ like that explains everything.”
I’m giggling so hard my sides hurt.
“I guess it’s good that even a Little café has such a good reputation that even non Littles feel like they want to come in!” I giggle.
“Agreed. But every day?” Robbie roars. “And get this… Mr. Patel started bringing his parrot in on Tuesdays. Named it Espresso. It says ‘double shot’ every time someone orders one. Chaos. Absolute chaos. But it’s so cool that we’ve been welcomed into the area like this. No one judges us, they see we’re just like them. Well, in many ways at least.”
“Yup,” I reply. “City life is cool like that. But everyone is awesome here too.”
Kaleb’s mouth twitches. He doesn’t say much, but I can tell he’s listening. Enjoying it. Probably trying to figure out whether I’m thinking about heading back to the city sometime soon. I know we should talk about it. And we will. But I’m just having such a great time with him that I never want to spoil the moment by opening up what could be a real can of worms.
Robbie turns to me, eyes sparkling. “Everyone misses you, by the way. Like,a lot. They keep asking when you’re coming back. Cade and his Daddy said the place isn’t the same without yourperky vibes. Even the grumpy morning commuter Daddies are moping.”
I laugh, but there’s a little pang under it. “They’ll have to wait a bit longer. I’m… not sure when I’m coming back.”
Robbie’s smile softens. “Yeah. I can see why.”
I notice Robbie glance at Kaleb—quick, approving—then back at me.
“Speaking of unwelcome visitors…” Robbie’s voice drops. “Pace showed up last week.”
My stomach drops like a stone.
“What?” I groan. “Urgh.”
Kaleb’s hand tightens on my thigh—just a fraction. Protective. Silent.
Robbie keeps going. “The slimeball walked in like he owned the place. Slicked-back hair, stupid expensive coat, asking where you were. Said he had a ‘proposition.’ I told him you were out of town and that was all he was getting. He pushed… tried the whole ‘I’m his agent, I need to reach him’ routine. I just smiled and said, ‘He blocked you for a reason.’ He left pretty quick after that.”
I exhale hard. “Thank you. Seriously. I blocked himeverywhere. Phone, email, socials. Didn’t want to hear it. And I don’t want to hear it now either.”
“Good call,” Robbie says firmly. “The guy’s a total creep. You’re better off without him.”
Kaleb’s thumb strokes a slow circle on my leg. No words. Just his steady presence. It’s what I need right now. Pace might bein my past, but he’s not been out of my life for long enough that talk of him won’t make me feel weird.
I lean my head on Kaleb’s shoulder for a second. “Yeah.Waybetter off.”
We ride in comfortable quiet for a while after that. Robbie fiddles with the radio until he finds something upbeat—some indie pop station—and starts humming along. The trees get thicker, the road narrower. Finally Kaleb slows, pulls off onto a barely-there clearing ringed by towering hemlocks.
“Here we are,” Kaleb says, killing the engine. “Deep spot. Good fishing creek about a quarter mile down. Fire ring already set. You two good to set up the tent while I scout with Racer?”
I grin. “We’ve got this.”
Robbie hops out, already stretching. “Little power! Let’s do it.”
Kaleb grabs his pack, clips Racer’s lead, gives me a quick kiss on the forehead. “Back in a couple hours. Shout if you need me.”
Then he’s gone—big shoulders disappearing into the trees, Racer trotting happily at his side.
Robbie watches him go, then turns to me with wide eyes. “Okay, first of all… he just kissed your forehead like it was the most natural thing in the world. Second… holy crap, Taron. He’shuge. And hot. And sweet. I need to know about all the times he’s had your briefs down and your cock out!”
I laugh, grabbing tent poles from the truck bed. “Later. Bedtime story version. Right now we’ve got work to do. The last thing we need is to get on my Daddy’s bad side!”