His eyes widened.
“I had issues with anxiety when I was about fourteen, fifteen.Like, major issues.My parents tried to address it, but they signed me up for some counselling, and it helped so much.And, yeah, I was resistant at first.But the anxiety got so bad it was interfering with school and social activities.Therapy made a world of difference.”
“Hmm.I don’t know if I—” He stared into the distance.A loon called across the shimmering water.“I came here to escape all of that.”
“Sure, but you said it wasn’t really working?”
“I don’t know.”
“Look, I’m not telling you to talk to Adam.Just that the option is there.I’m really glad you talked to me.Did it help?”
“I think so.Yeah.”He laughed and bumped my knee with his.“Even though I’m so embarrassed I don’t know if I can ever see you again.”
A lead brick fell into my stomach until I noticed the sparkle in his eye and his soft smile.“Joking.I’m joking.”
I put a shaky hand to my forehead.“Don’t do that.I thought you meant it.”
“Is it that important to you?”
“What?This?” I gestured between the two of us.
“Yeah.”
“Puck.Yes.I love what’s happening here.I don’t want it to stop.”
He nodded, blushing.“Good.Me either.”
The sun was close to setting, so we swam back to shore, got dressed, and headed back to the bunkhouse.We were quiet as we walked through the darkening woods.I felt a real intimacy between us as our footfalls landed in the grass and dirt, and the chirping of crickets and frogs surrounded us.
As we neared the bunkhouse, human voices from inside the panelled walls joined the cacophony of small animals.I took my leave, kissing Puck on his lightly stubbled cheek and squeezing his fingers, before I strode back to the main house in the glistening moonlight.
*
I DIDN’T SEEPuck again until the pony show the following day.
I’d planned to photograph the men being tacked up, but I’d had a software issue with the Nikon camera that took me all morning to sort out.It delayed me so that I barely had time to get to the paddock and set up my tripod and camera by the fence.
It was strange to see the bleachers filled with people of all types; some in fine clothes similar to those worn to an actual equestrian event, others in fetish gear, still more in jeans and T-shirts.They spoke and laughed amongst themselves as they waited for the show to begin, the air filled with excited anticipation.
I was just as eager to see the ponyboys strut their stuff for the crowd.Especially oneparticularponyboy.Because the afternoon shift was first on the rotation this weekend, I knew Puck would be performing today.There was no way I was missing that.
“Hey, Oliver.”
I turned to see Lincoln in skinny red jeans and anImagine DragonsT-shirt, at my elbow.
“Hi.How’s it going?”
He tilted his head, giving me a grin.“Good.You?”
“Well, despite having a cock-up of a morning with my camera equipment, fine.”
“Oh shit.Got everything working I hope?”
“Yeah.Just in time.”
Lincoln appraised me with his gaze.“I know you’re supposed to take photos of all of us, but I think you’re here to see a particular person.”
I pretended confusion.“Hmm?What?”
