Wes wanted to correct her, but to say anything was to admit more than he felt like they were willing to after something as simple as kissing. Although, the intensity of what they’d shared…it was as though they’d shared their first times together. There was an innocence and childishness about what they were experiencing, something that excited Wes, yet it wasn’t because they had done anything all that salacious, but simply because the emotions Art had awakened within him reminded him of when he was in those early stages, feeling flirtatious and wanting…lusting,even…
Lust.
Wasn’t something uncommon for Wes. He only had to watch porn to get that much. No, it was more than that withArt.
It was a connection they shared, one that made him feel so at ease even when they were just chatting on their walks. It was the discovery of a friend he lusted after, whom he found compelling on so many different levels. That was truly unique for him. He’d had friends before, though, and friends he’d had sex with, but this wasdifferent.
This was special.Artwasspecial.
They chatted with Frances, and soon Gabe and Tony joined them, preventing Wes and Art from discussing anything that happened the day before, but as they chatted and continued glancing at one another, he realized that maybe there wasn’t anything to discuss. Maybe they could just let it be whatever it was and see where itled.
* * *
The next fewdays passed by quickly, too quickly for Art’staste.
They kept their scheduled walks, talking as much as ever, neither pressing after the kiss they’d exchanged, but they would always share another after each walk. Soft, gentle, but a reminder, it seemed, that they weren’t ashamed of their kisses…or the gossip that had likely circulated because of their demonstration of theiraffections.
There was an ease to whatever he and Wes were creating compared to his youth, when relationships felt like so much work in those formative stages. That had always felt like putting on a show and trying to lure the other man, but he didn’t feel like he had to do anything to attract Wes, who seemed to enjoy Art for who he was…and considering the kisses, obviously felt the same attraction that Art felt forhim.
Wes approached Art during his gardening time as well, asking him for help with planting tomatoes. He kept on top of Art’s schedule, it seemed so he could joinhim.
On Thursday, Art and Wes worked together in Frances’s garden, taking out some of the plants and replacing them with sweet potatoes and greenbeans.
“Goddamn,” Wes said after taking a drink from the thermos Art had brought for him. Wes set it down on the side of the wooden board frame around thegarden.
“You did not already finish that, did you?” Artasked.
“Damn straight I did. Can you put some more vodka in there next time,though?”
Art glanced around nervously, noticing Carol had perked rightup.
“Hi, Carol,” Art said with a friendly wave before turning and glaring at Wes. “I usually tell people it’s fresh lemons and the right amount of sugar that makes all the difference, then I give them that junk and keep the good stuff formyself.”
“I’ll bet you do. Well, Art’s special lemonade is definitely addicting. Just keep having to come back formore.”
“I can get you somemore.”
“Naw, I’m fine right now. Something a little more addictive has myinterest.”
Art turned to him, enjoying the sly expression on Wes’sface.
“Oh, Wes Brenner, you must have been cruel to the ladies. Poor Becca. Did you turn the charm on this much withher?”
“Yes, for sure. I wined and dined her like a propergentleman.”
“And sweet-talked her todeath?”
“Eh, sweet talk was never mything.”
“What was your ‘thing’?”
“I don’t beat around the bush. Neither did Becca, and neither did guys back then. It was what it was, and we always knew what wewanted.”
“How did that play out?” Art asked. “How did she take the news when you…realized who you were, Isuppose.”
“She was an angel about it. In that time, it was hard to understand what we were experiencing when no one was talking about it, but she said she figured she knew before I’d figured it out. It wasn’t easy on her, to be sure, but she said she had time to process it because she knew there was something, and it was almost a relief to know that was it. Then she said she loved me and wanted me to be happy. We did love each other. As friends, but it waslove.”
“And how did that affect…Kelly and Mike, if I can askthat?”
