I still can’t wrap my head around how all this came to be in just a few short weeks. This summer is flying by far too quickly for my taste. It’s been a blur of work, adventures with the campers, dates with Evan, and injuries—ugh. But above all else, there’s been healing.
Colton and Evan’s relationship is still tenuous at times—because the two of them are still trying to find balance in how much istoomuch sharing, especially since the two of them were at odds for so long—but they’re making such amazing progress. In my sessions with Colton, he tells me that he’s feeling so much lighter, and the sense of involvement he’s had at camp has, I can tell, empowered him to feel more responsible.
Evan’s learning how to let go of the idea that his little boy is almost an adult, and is making decent strides at being less overbearing—something I’m especially happy to see, since he had his own baggage to overcome. His internalized homophobia shaped his whole personality into manhood. It’s amazing to see how he’s accepted who he is now; he really channeled that take-charge energy of his, and put it towards being proud of who he is.
With me. He’s proud to be with me. With all my flaws and my self-esteem issues, he still chose me, and continues to choose me every day. I don’t even think he realizes just how much he helped me accept my worthiness, my inner strength and beauty. He just sees the outward presentation of that.
Hence, the strip-tease I felt confident in performing for him weeks ago.
Holy heck, I felt so empowered that night. I felt sensual, and sexy, and… ugh, I loved it. I love when he can’t take his eyes off me when I’m wearing those outfits for him. It’s even translated into my everyday wear. I notice I’ve started reaching into the clothes I’d buried in my closet, when I convinced myself I needed to wear something a little baggier.
It sounds so surface level, but I swear it’s more than just appearances. He’s helped me make myself a priority, and he’s made me feel so important. It’s spilled over into all facets of my life. That’s why I chose the anchor tattoo. For him, just as much as for me. To remember to stay grounded, and he grounds me.
If he really did have something other-worldly happen to him on the beach that morning, the one where he said Miranda communicated with him—then perhaps I have her and Ry to thank for bringing him to me.
“Thank you,” I mouth into the empty air in front of me, hoping it gets picked up on some ethereal wavelength.
Just then, Evan’s phone buzzes on the nightstand. He doesn’t wake, so I take a peek, just to make sure it’s nothing dire. The preview of the message shows up:
Wagner
Before you two head out, stop by here for lunch with Mother and I. We've got something important we'd like to discuss with you.
My gut churns, reading that. I don’t know Evan’s dad well enough to tell if this text is ominous or not. I thought I made a good impression on his parents yesterday. I thought I made a good impression on everyone.
If there were religious or political zealots in the crowd, however, none of them were bold enough to stand up to either of us being there. A fact that, I think, surprised the heck out of both Evan and me, before everything went to crap with Gordy’s breakdown.
“Why’s your heart racing?” Evan murmurs, his voice groggy from sleep.
“Your dad sent you a text,” I explain, passing Evan his phone.
He rubs his eyes and squints at the text. “Cripes, I didn’t even know he knewhowto text, but I wouldn’t worry about it,” he tells me. “I can tell my parents like you…”
“What if someone said something to them after we left?”
Evan shakes his head. “My dad’s the type who, once he’s formed an opinion on you, it’s set in stone. Even his old cronies wouldn’t be able to change his mind. As for the others? I just need to learn to say ‘fuck ‘em’ and stop worrying about it. I’m not going back in the closet now.”
“I’m still worried…” I admit.
“You do too much of that.” He yanks me into him, kissing my neck. “Anyone ever tell you to stop?”
I sigh. “You do.”
He lifts his head and quirks an eyebrow at me. “But do you listen, or are you too much of a stubborn goat?”
I do my best impression of a goat bleat, and he chuckles. “That’s what I thought. Tell you what, I have the perfect idea for a distraction. A little something to get your mind off it.” He wiggles his hips, nudging his erection into my thigh.
“I wouldn’t exactly call that little…”
“You do wondrous things for a man’s ego, you know?”
Now it’s my turn to chuckle. “Same could be said for you.”
His palm drifts down, cupping my own stiff length through the silky pink jock I wore to bed last night. “I want this pretty dick claiming me, Brooks,” he murmurs, nipping at my bottom lip. “I’m serious. Now,take offyour big girl panties, and fuck me like you mean it.” He smirks, slowly stroking.
I untangle myself from his arms, he grabs a bottle of lube from his nightstand, and I yank him into the bathroom with me. Couldn’t help but notice last night that he had a magnificent, antique claw-foot tub in here, and I think my tattoo has healed enough to use it.
He starts the water—after chastising me about climbing in before it's fully healed, of course—and we both strip completely naked. My dick is already at full mast, excited anticipation coursing through me. His also stretches out, proud and ready, begging for attention. I don't plan to give it any, though, because he seemed pretty astounded that I managed to come hands-freeagain.Night's ago, when we had sex,again.
