Patrick shuffled uncomfortably. “We’ve not actually going anywhere. I’m going to set up in the backyard near the fire pit.”
“I think that’s a wonderful idea.” Her enthusiasm was infectious, and Patrick smiled as she continued. “Remind me one day to tell you about the first picnic Bruce took me on.”
“Bruce took you on a picnic?” Patrick couldn’t keep the incredulity out of his voice.
“Hey, don’t judge a book by its cover. There’s a lot more to Bruce than meets the eye.”
“I… I didn’t….”
Lisa smiled. “He may not seem it, but he’s a big romantic under all that manly manliness.”
As if talking about him had conjured the man himself, Bruce came in. With a nod at Patrick, he wrapped his arms around Lisa. “I’ve done the ironing.”
“The whole basket?” Lisa looked doubtful.
“Yep. Every last shirt and skirt.” Bruce looked happy as he made the statement, surprising the hell out of Patrick, who knew he hated housework of any kind, just like Patrick did.
Lisa must have seen the look on his face, and laughed. “Yes, miracles do happen. Although in this case I’ve done a deal with Bruce. I make the lasagna so he can take it to work this week, and he’s going to do my ironing for a week.” She mouthed the wordsbig softie,and Patrick pressed his lips together to hold back a smile.
“Compromise,” Bruce said, ignorant of the silent exchange between his girlfriend and Patrick. “That’s what it’s all about. And I got the better deal anyway, because have you tasted Lisa’s lasagna? It’s better than my mother’s.”
Lisa snorted. “You’d better not tell her that, or I’ll never be welcome in the family.”
He went to leave, but Lisa stopped him as he got to the doorway. “Hey, Patrick. Don’t forget Bruce is working tonight and I’m going back to my place. Since Mike won’t be home till late, it looks like you’ll have the house to yourself.”
He nodded slowly. “O… okay?”
“You’ll be able to make as much noise as you want.” She winked, leaving Patrick speechless. Before she could say anything else, he turned and headed out the door.
“What was that all about?” he heard Bruce ask. He took the steps two at a time and didn’t hear what Lisa said in response.
But apart from the embarrassment at the thought of Lisa and maybe the rest of his housemates overhearing his sex life, he felt a lot better and definitely more confident about his plans for Simon for the night.
So what if he was being sappy.
The stars glitteredin the dark sky and night sounds broke the silence. The peace and serenity reminded Patrick of the evening out on the deck at the cabin in the mountains. Such a memorable weekend; it was hard to believe it was only three weeks ago. Things between him and Simon had moved along so quickly since then, but at the same time he felt as if he’d been with Simon for much longer, although he guessed in a way he had.
The picnic blanket over soft grass was comfortable under his back, but it was the presence of the body lying next to him that made him feel most comfortable and relaxed. They lay side by side after enjoying the dinner Patrick had arranged—simple deli food they ate directly from the containers spread in front of them. When the meal was finished, they’d lingered in the approaching dusk, lighting some citronella candles and spreading the blanket on the lawn.
Patrick gazed at the sky, but all his concentration was on Simon. The only place they touched was their hands where their fingers were entwined. Simon had captured Patrick’s pinkie with his own and was tugging gently as they talked.
“Tell me what you were like when you were growing up,” Simon asked, his voice low in the darkness.
“You really want to hear about that? I wasn’t very interesting.”
He glanced across as Simon released his hand and rolled onto his side, propping himself on his elbow to look at Patrick. “I bet you were cute.”
Patrick laughed. “I was anything but cute. You know the dorky kid at school? The skinny one with big feet and a bad haircut? That was me.”
Simon’s teeth flashed in the dim light as he chuckled. “Sounds adorable to me.”
Patrick laughed along but the amusement didn’t last, and heaviness settled in his chest at the memories. He thought back to his high school days, the loneliness and sense of isolation. “I didn’t like school very much.”
"Yeah?" Simon didn't say anything else, but it was obvious he was waiting for Patrick to continue. The faint sound of a television drifted across the yard, the muted burst of canned laughter fading as a window was closed.
Patrick spoke into the quietness. "I was the kid who had a hard time making friends, the last one chosen for the sports team, and the one who was often sitting alone at lunch." God, he felt like he was whining, but he wanted to tell it like it was, wanted Simon to know the real him.
"Oh, Patrick, I’m so sorry you went through that." Simon placed a hand on his chest and Patrick turned to look at him.
