“I imagine you’re enjoying living alone,” I say. “After so long of living with other people.”
He shrugs. “I’m not living alone.”
“Angus and his dad give you lots of company, do they?”
He chuckles. “No. Which is fine. Angus is out more than in, and Tony is focused on the farm and watching sports on TV. It’s very different to living with your parents.”
“Different good?”
“Just different.”
The ground is rockier now. Water babbles a short distance away, just out of sight. The hill rises steeply to our left, flecked with dark stone. The weather is still beautiful, though it’s somewhat breezy up here. We only have sheep for company.
“I love your parents,” Flynn whispers. “It hurt a lot to lose them when Billy and I split up.”
“You didn’t have to lose them,” I point out.
He takes a deep breath. “No. I distanced myself. It felt weird maintaining a relationship with them when Billy wanted nothing to do with me.”
“I get that. But, hey, at least my parents will approve of my boyfriend.”
He cringes. “Will they? Or am I the guy who broke their other son’s heart?”
I clench my teeth for a few seconds before replying. “He brokeyourheart.”
“I’m not sure that will matter.”
It will. I’m sure my parents only have Billy’s version of events. He wouldneverpaint himself in a bad light, even if it meant telling a barefaced lie.
“Let’s not talk about Billy, okay?” Flynn says.
I hunch my shoulders, but nod all the same. If we keep seeing each other, wewillneed to talk about him. And think about him. If we stay together, we'll have to tell my parents; and Billy.
But we don’t have to think about that now. Maybe not for a long time. Right now, all I want to do is enjoy being with Flynn. I want to see what we can become. Together.
We reach the crest of the hill. A valley stretches below us, a river running through it, leading away from a huge waterfall, surrounded by jutting rocks.
“Wow,” I say. “That’s gorgeous.”
“The photos on the internet didn’t do it justice,” Flynn agrees.
My stomach rumbles, making me laugh. “We’ve arrived just in time. Let’s head over there, and eat.”
We have our picnic, then I take off my boots and socks, roll up my jeans, and test the water with my big toe.
“It’s cold,” I complain.
“What did you expect?”
“It’s summer!”
“Yes, but it takes a long time for water to warm up.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s a poor conductor.” He removes his boots and socks and sits beside me on the bank. Unlike me, he’s brave enough to put his feet in. He leans on his hands and stares at the waterfall.
“Did you learn that in farm school?” I tease.
