"The back is fine," Caleb says, surprising me. He glances up with a slight shrug. "Less wind."
"Practical as always,"
As we approach the hayride, I spot Ethan and Tyler already cuddled together on a hay bale, looking so perfectly content it's almost irritating. They've been dating long enough that they seem so comfortable with each other. Tyler's arm around Ethan's shoulders, Ethan leaning into him like it's the most natural thing in the world.
Gavin bounds up beside us as we wait to climb aboard. "Hunter and Huntington! Ready for some festive fun?"
"Please stop calling us that."
"Never." Gavin grins. "It's too perfect. Like a law firm or a buddy cop show."
"Or a terrible folk band," Caleb adds.
"Exactly!" Gavin claps him on the shoulder. "See, he gets it."
When it's our turn to board, Caleb climbs up first, then turns to offer me a hand. It's a small thing, but it's exactly the kind of action that sells our story. I take his hand. His palm is warm against mine despite the cool air, and I'm suddenly aware of how easily his fingers slot between my own. How well we fit together.
For the performance, obviously.
We make our way to the back of the trailer, as suggested, and find a spot on one of the hay bales. There's enough space thatwe don't need to sit pressed together, but we're definitely in each other's personal space. I'm acutely aware of every inch where our bodies touch.
The hayride fills up quickly. Most of the brothers pair off with sorority girls, though some form small groups of friends. Gavin, predictably, has managed to surround himself with three laughing girls who seem charmed by his golden retriever enthusiasm.
"He makes it look so easy," Caleb says, following my gaze to Gavin.
"Some people just have that gift. Natural charisma."
"Something neither of us was blessed with," he says with a wry smile.
"Speak for yourself. I'm very charismatic. In the right lighting. With the right audience. Preferably code scrolling on a computer screen, but it counts."
He laughs again, and I find myself cataloging the sound, the way it transforms his usually serious face. The tractor engine rumbles to life, and we begin our slow journey around campus, Christmas music playing from speakers mounted on the trailer.
The route takes us through the campus's main pathways, all decorated for the holidays. Students wave as we pass, and our group calls back greetings with varying degrees of enthusiasm. Despite my initial reluctance, it's actually... nice. The crisp air, the twinkling lights, and the general atmosphere of… fun.
Halfway through the ride, servers pass out cups of hot cider. Caleb accepts his with obvious pleasure, taking a sip and closing his eyes briefly in appreciation.
"Good?" Again, I'm amused by his reaction to sugary drinks.
"Perfect," he declares. "Just the right amount of cinnamon."
A strand of his dark hair falls across his forehead, and I have the sudden, inexplicable urge to brush it back. I resist, taking a sip of my own cider instead.
The hayride turns down a path lined with particularly impressive light displays, and Caleb leans slightly to get a better view, his shoulder pressing against mine. And we sit there touching lightly.
Ahead of us, Tyler and Ethan are fully embracing the romantic mood. Tyler whispers something in Ethan's ear that makes him laugh, then pulls him in for a kiss that starts sweet but quickly turns heated.
"Get a room, you two." The shout comes out half-joking, half-serious.
Tyler breaks the kiss long enough to look back with a grin. "Excellent idea, Hunter." In one smooth motion, he stands and hoists Ethan over his shoulder in a fireman's carry.
Ethan yelps in surprise but doesn't seem particularly upset about this turn of events. He waves at us from his upside-down position, face flushed with laughter. "Duty calls!" he announces as Tyler carefully maneuvers them toward the edge of the still-moving hayride.
"Don't you dare jump off my hayride!" Drew shouts, but he's laughing too.
Tyler pauses at the edge, winking at the cheering crowd. "Sometimes a man has priorities, Mr. President." With that, he jumps down, surprisingly graceful despite the human cargo over his shoulder, landing safely on the grassy path.
The entire hayride erupts in applause and wolf whistles as the couple disappears toward the dorms, Tyler still carrying a giggling Ethan.
