“They’re not worth a penny,” Colin chuckled. “I was just feeling sad because I can’t dance with you tonight.” He tilted his head toward the stage. “I’d be willing to bet that “We Can Last Forever” is somewhereon that phone. If not,” he added, tapping his own, “I know damned well it’s onthisone.”
Trent and Jeff’s song concluded with a round of applause. The room fell quiet except for the low murmur of the gathered guests, and Joshua rested his chin on Colin’s arm. “How tiredareyou?”
Colin shrugged. “Not very.”
“Are you in pain?”
“Not at the moment.” He raised his eyebrows and flashed a grin. “Why? What do you have in mind?”
Joshua rose and took his arm. “Come with me.” He led Colin to the dance floor, then gave him a brief kiss. “Wait right here.”
Trent and Jeff had moved to sit with Jeff’s parents, laughing and chatting, with Sophie leaning on Trent’s shoulder, but they turned to gaze at him as Colin maneuvered his scooter to the dance floor. Several of the campers had also moved to join him, some shooting a half-embarrassed glance his way before wrapping an arm around their dance partner. David, spotting the campers and noting their hesitation, grabbed Nate’s hand. “C’mon, rabble-rouser. Let’s show them how it’s done.”
Joshua stepped onto the stage, fingers moving over his phone for several seconds. Then, as the opening strains of “We Can Last Forever” filled the room, he strode to Colin’s side with a quiet smile and wrapped both arms around him. “I don’t need fancy dance steps. All I need is you.”
Colin braced himself on his knee scooter, pulling Joshua close with one strong arm. Their bodies pressed together, the warmth of Joshua’s breath brushing his cheek as they swayed in time with the music—slow, steady, wrapped in each other. Everything else faded, the world narrowing to this moment, to this love that was their whole world.
“Seems impossible that it all ends tomorrow,” Colin murmured finally. “That tomorrow night we’ll be home in our own bed.”
“It’s been a great week,” Joshua said. “But truth to tell, I’ll be glad to be there.”
Colin nodded, his cheek brushing against Joshua’s hair. “Me too.” He breathed out a laugh, then whispered: “Maybe I can figure out a way to make love to you, cast and all.”
Joshua leaned back and looked at him, his handsome face creased in a frown. “Don’t eventhinkit.” He snuggled close in Colin’s arms. “Trent would kill you. Besides … I have a solution already figured out.”
“Yeah?”
Joshua licked slowly across Colin’s mouth, his tongue flicking … tasting … savoring, then kissed him—full and wet, with a heat that started low and slow, then grew into a hunger so fierce that Colin trembled.
Joshua leaned back, eyebrows arched. “Get the picture?”
Colin nodded and chuckled as he nuzzled Joshua’s neck. “I get the picture. And I can’t wait.”
Joshua shivered as Colin’s mouth moved over his neck, his fingers tightening on Colin’s shoulders. “No fair starting something you can’t finish,” he murmured against Colin’s ear.
Colin huffed a quiet laugh, pressing a slow, deliberate kiss just below Joshua’s jaw. “Oh, I fully intend to finish it, bud,” he said, his voice a low rumble. “My foot may not be working, but there’s not a damn thing wrong with my hand.”
Joshua let out a dramatic, fake sigh. “Lord God! If you so much as sprain something trying get all hot and sexy, Trent will string you up by that damned cast.” Yet, the smile tugging at his lips betrayed his true feelings. He pressed his lips against Colin’s ear and murmured: “But there’s no denying, my love, youdohave talented hands.”
Colin’s grip tightened. “Here I stand, at your service. The love of your life.”
Joshua tipped his head back, eyes warm with affection. “My soulmate and heartbeat.”
For a moment, they held each other, swaying in time with the music. The dining hall was beginning to empty, and the guests who remained spoke in hushed voices, their laughter drifting across the room. Overhead, fairy lights cast a warm, golden glow, reflecting in the polished wood floors. The weight of the week settled over them, but here, in each other’s arms, none of that mattered. Tomorrow, they would leave Camp Pride behind. But tonight—tonight was theirs. The song faded and theother dancers moved off the dance floor, but Colin and Joshua remained, lost in each other, wrapped in the warmth of a love that was steady, certain, and sure to last forever.
Chapter 24
Homeward Bound
Sunday
When Colin awoke the next morning, Joshua was nowhere to be found. He limped to the bathroom and then wriggled his jeans over his cast, peeking out of the cabin’s window as he maneuvered the stiff fabric. For a moment he paused, a slow, quiet smile spreading over his face. Joshua stood on the porch, a mug of coffee in his hand, watching their final Camp Pride sunrise. Colin couldn’t see his expression, but he didn’t have to. He filled a mug, opened the door, and stepped out into the cool, mountain air.
“Morning,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to Joshua’s shoulder. “Enjoying the view?”
“And trying not to be sad because it’s all over.”
Colin collapsed onto the steps. “Let me tell you something. This experience willneverbe over. These kids are going to carry pieces of Camp Pride within them until they’re old and gray.”
