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)
“Which one do you want to take?” he asked, leaving it up to Reese.
“Are you sure you’re not too old for this?” his son teased, and damn that felt good too.
“Are you sure you’re not too bratty?”
“That doesn’t even make sense. Let’s take the middle one. I don’t want it to be too hard on you.”
“Ha-ha.” August was just glad he didn’t seem to have music or anything playing even though his earbuds were in.
He watched as Reese automatically pulled Butter’s bowl out of the bag and gave her a bit of water before they started. He was good with taking care of her, sometimes doing more for the dog than he would for himself.
They started on their way, squirrels and other animals scurrying through the bushes and brush as they went. It was hot out and muggy, the heavy thickness of North Carolina humidity in the air, but the trail being shady helped.
“I was thinking we could look into some art classes for you to take this summer if you wanted. I’m sure they have something. You might meet some kids your age too.”
“Yeah, I’d like to take a class, but I don’t really care about meeting anyone. It sucks being the new kid.”
“That’s why it might help if you meet people before school starts.” He wanted to bring up Sean and Wyatt but wasn’t sure how. He needed to mention going to Clint’s this weekend too, but he worried it would ruin their whole day. He wanted to have this time with Reese.
“I doubt I’ll have anything in common with the kids here. They’re probably all judgmental rednecks.”
“Hey, aren’t you judging them by saying that?” When Reese just looked at him and rolled his eyes again, August asked, “Is that something you’re worried about? That we might have issues here because I’m gay?”
Reese shrugged. “I don’t give a shit what other people think.”
But he clearly did. August decided not to call him out on the language. “It’s normal to care what people think to a degree, but not to change yourself for others.”
“Oh God. Is this going to be another Dad lecture about being yourself and we’re all perfect just the way we are? You’re obsessed with this.”
August chuckled. “Well, clearly, they’ve stuck with you, and they’re true. But I also don’t ever want you to worry about having to defend me, if that’s what you’re thinking. Or if there’s anything about yourself that you ever want to share.”
Reese dropped his head back. “Ugh. You’re such a dad.”
“Isn’t that what I’m supposed to be?”
“Pop never gives me these kinds of talks.”
Ouch, that hurt. And in August’s mind, that was something Lewis could do a little more of. He had always left the parenting to August. “It’s because I have such an awesome way with words,” he replied, not wanting to say anything bad about Lewis. “But I know Pop would agree with me on this. Also, when I was with Clint the other day…”
Eye roll number three. Reese might set a record today.
August continued, “He mentioned a few gay couples he knows in the area. Monroe and Holden have two boys around your age. Well, one of them is a nephew, but the sentiment is the same. He said they’re open-minded, accepting kids. I was thinking if we can introduce you—”
“Oh my God. I’ll look so stupid if my dad has to find me friends.”
“It’s not finding you friends. It’s just helping you meet people. Plus, I’d like to meet more people around here too.”
“That wouldn’t be a problem if you didn’t move us out of Orlando and away from Pop.”
According to the custody agreement, August had to have Lewis’s permission to move more than fifty miles away, but he’d never told Reese that. “I’m sorry. I know it’s hard, and I know you probably don’t understand it, but I’m trying here, Reese. I did what I did because I feel it’s what’s best for you. I might be wrong. Unfortunately, there’s no way of knowing that ahead of time.” With Reese starting to get into trouble, he’d really thought it was important to have a fresh start. He hoped that eventually Reese would agree with him.
“I know,” Reese said, watching his feet as he walked.
August let out a relieved breath that Reese wasn’t arguing. “Let’s just give it a chance, okay? Orlando isn’t going anywhere. If I’m wrong, we can go back.”
Their eyes met, and August saw something there he couldn’t quite name. Sadness, yeah, and appreciation, which he was grateful for, and he didn’t know what else. He wished Reese would talk to him.
“I was thinking…you’ve been through a lot. Maybe we should look for someone you can talk to?”
“What? No. I don’t need a therapist, Dad. God. Can we just drop this?”
Shit. He was screwing this all up. “Yeah, kiddo. We can drop it.”