“Easton,” I sigh. “This is…thank you,” I cry out, wrapping my arms around his neck. “This means so much to me.”
I have yet to really look at it, never wanting to let go of him.
“You’re welcome, Collie.” The calmness in his voice meets my ear. “You deserve to have all the greatest treasures of the world. Big or small. At least this one I knew I could give to you.”
The gravity of knowing Easton remembered our conversation on the plane touches my heart more than he knows. The five-inch bottles are not easy to find. The last time I traveled to Indonesia, I had to search the airport shop up and down for just one. They’re rare, and none are the same as the rest.
Pulling back, I glance down at the burnt orange translucentbottle with a rolled up message, and a cowhide boot inside of it.
“The boot,” I gasp. “Just like?—”
“Just like yours. Down to the stringy details on the sides.”
I smile, choking back a laugh and a sob. “The fringe. It’s fringe.”
“Fringe,” he repeats, teaching himself the word. “Whatever it is, it’s veryyou. Cute.”
I’m not sure what passes between us, but the intimacy in Easton’s stare makes me feel weak. More vulnerable than standing in front of him naked ever felt.
Tomorrow we say goodbye to each other and carry on with our separate lives. So, why does that feel like the farthest thing from what either of us wants?
It feels like a life sentence. Wrong and unjust.
“You gonna open it?” he asks, nodding to the message inside.
“Oh. Yes.” I unroll the paper, unsure of what kind of message I’ll find. Usually it’s something silly or touristy. Thanks for visiting XYZ, or don’t forget to feed the pigs on your way out.
But this one is different.
“Find me where the mountains of Salt Hollow meet the ocean of Timber Heights. Just a flight away.”
“Easton.” There’s no sense in holding the tears back. They’re here to stay.
“I’m sorry if it’s too much. I just…fuck, Collie. This trip. Being here with you. It means a lot to me. I didn’t know what would come from traveling somewhere new alone, but then you showed up full of chaos and muddy sweatpants, making mewant to save you. The one thing I told myself I’d never do again. Not at the risk of myself, I mean.”
I reach for his hand, intertwining our fingers together, and place a kiss on his lips. “And then what?”
A wave of emotions crashes over him, the swallow at his throat showing the reaction he battles to hide. “And then you made saving you worth it. Helping you—offering you my extra ticket got me here. To a place of peace and acceptance. Fuck, I feel everythingbutregret. I feel grateful for something I always saw as a flaw.”
“And you deserve nothing more than to be proud of the man you are.” I point to his chest. “This Easton right here is the one I know for a fact your family knows and loves. Maybe even misses. They’ve already forgiven you, Ranger. Honestly, that’s if there was even anything to forgive. I can promise you that. And I’m sure they’d tell you the same; that your brother would want your happiness more than anything. So, when you get back to Salt Hollow, do that. Go make him proud.”
“Collie. Thank you. Thank you for being the most unexpected surprise. I’ve been nothing but impulsive, daring, and adventurous with you for the first time in my adult life. It’s like the shackles are finally fucking free.”
“That’s the life goal, you big, gorgeous man. Freedom.” My eyes dial in on our linked hands, his thumb soothing me without realizing it. “Life is too short not to be our best selves. Whatever that looks like for you and for me.”
“What do you say we check in on Dirty Dan and Sheila one last time? See what those two lovers are up to?”
I grin. “Never saw that one comin’. Did you?”
“Not even for a second.”
26
EASTON
My plan is in place.
Well, for the most part, it is. I’m riding heavy on Dirty Dan to pull through on his end of the bargain. I did a bit of propositioning to convince him to help me pull this off.
