“Yeah, I’d like that. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Tawson. Have a good day. If you need anything before then, just text me and we’ll work it out.”
They ended the call after twenty-six minutes.
Chapter Eighteen
~ Vic ~
Something was going on with Tawson.
Vic could sense it the moment they met in the parking lot on campus, but he played it cool in front of Joe. They were nearly forty-five minutes into the four hour drive and the most they spoke was where they wanted to stop for lunch on the way up. Vic controlled the music, keeping it low enough that if either of them did talk, it wouldn’t drown them out.
Vic watched for the umpteenth time as Tawson clenched his hands around the steering wheel. His knuckles turned white. This wasn’t how Vic thought they would start their trip. But they had no idea how to bring it up. So they continued to choose songs and watch the world pass by them one mile at a time.
They were more than an hour in when Tawson finally spoke. Vic turned their head to look at him. “I’m sorry I’m being quiet.”
“It’s okay.” It wasn’t. It was weird. But he wouldn’t make Tawson feel bad about it. “If you want to talk, though, I’m kind of stuck here with you for a couple more hours.”
“Just a couple hours?” Tawson glanced over at them andthen back to the road. He wore a small smile. That was a good sign. “I think you’re forgetting the two whole days and the drive back we still have to look forward to.”
“I could make you sleep on the balcony every night,” Vic said teasingly.
“And miss the opportunity to koala yourself to me? Yeah, right. I know that’s a lie.”
Vic couldn’t deny it. They loved curling up next to Tawson. It made them feel comfortable and safe. “Whatever.”
“I just got some unexpected news from my old life, but it’s said and done.”
“Wait, what? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You were out with your family on the ranch and I didn’t want to bother you,” Tawson said. He took one hand off the wheel and rested it on Vic’s thigh. “Plus, I talked to Megan about it. It’s all good. I promise. I’m trying to let it go.”
“If you need to talk, I’m all ears.” Vic rested their hand on top of Tawson’s, squeezing his fingers gently.
They settled into a comfortable silence after that. Vic wondered what had happened but they wouldn’t push. It wasn’t their place. They drove another half an hour before finally deciding to stop for food. They were plenty far enough away from the city and anyone that knew them. Vic smiled widely when Tawson reached out and took their hand as they walked across the parking lot.
“I like this,” Vic said. “Being able to touch you, even a small thing like this, with other people around.”
“I do too, baby.” Tawson leaned forward and placed a kiss on the top of their head as he held the door open for them. “I wish we could do this more often.”
“Do you know how much it sucks having to hear otherstudents talk about how hot you are or wondering if you’re dating anyone and I just have to sit there?”
“Oh, poor baby.” Tawson teased them. “I have had to easily decline a few advances though. One from a student and two from other faculty.”
“Seriously?” Vic tried not to sound jealous, but it didn’t work. Tawson seemed to find enjoyment in that.
“I only have eyes for you, baby.” He stepped close behind Vic and whispered in their ear. “And other parts of my body are just for you as well.”
“So, what are you getting to eat?” Vic asked, desperate to change the subject. They’d been putting their foot in their mouth a lot, forgetting that the older man knew exactly what to say to give Vic an instant boner. Tawson chuckled and then they stepped up to order.
After eating, they talked more. They took turns picking the music and singing together. It felt like a real road trip for the last two hours. They stopped off at a local store to grab food supplies for the days they’d be there.
“I don’t plan on us coming back to civilization,” Tawson explained when he grabbed one of the carts. “We’re getting everything we need and then we’re spending time with just us.”
“I’m not complaining,” Vic said.
They got more than enough snacks, different meals for dinner and breakfast, drinks, and a blueberry pie for a dessert. Vic paid for the groceries before Tawson could. It ended with a playful spat, one that Vic won by logic. It was the least they could do since Tawson spent who-knows-how-much on the cabin the week of a holiday.
