Right. Charlie. I open my mouth to tell him it’s nothing when words start pouring out. All on their own. “I met…someone.” Why am I hesitant about this part? Chuck’s a few years older than me, but we’ve known each other for most of our lives. And when I started teaching at the high school after college, we became friends. That was over twenty-five years ago. Chuck is my best friend. I meet his gaze. “A guy.”
He frowns. “Stop being so dramatic. I probably knew you were bi before you did.” That much is true since I was in denial for way too long. “You met a guy. Okay. What’s the problem?”
I laugh, and some of the mounting pressure in my chest eases. “He’s hot. Sweet. Adorable.”
“Those don’t sound like problems, Brad.”
“No, I guess not.” I scrub my fingers through my beard. “I don’t know if he’s really into me.” I shrug. “I’ve never dated a guy.”
“What about that one with the birthmark?” He furrows his brow like he’s thinking of his name. Did I even tell him the guy’s name?
“That was just sex.” I clamp my lips shut. What am I doing?
“And this isn’t?”
Thisisn’t anything I’ve ever experienced before. “I don’t know. I like him.”
“Why not just sleep with the guy? See where it goes.”
I choke on my drink.Get it together, Brad. He doesn’t know you’re talking about his son.Thank fuck.Or that you took care of that last night. Although not much sleeping was involved.“What if I want more?”
“Again, what’s the problem? If you want more, go for it.”
“In this town?”
“You think those homophobic assholes are going to run you out of town?”
We have a few. “They can try,” I say with a growl.
Chuck nods once in approval and glances at the door to the kitchen. Minni’s voice rises in volume. Yup. She’s more than done talking to this person. We’re running out of time.
“You’re forty-seven, Brad, not fourteen. An adult. Just ask him. That’s the quickest way to know if he’s really into you or not.”
It isn’t that simple. But I sure want it to be.
“Thanks, Chuck.” I appreciate his support, even if part of me feels I don’t deserve it.
He glances at the door again. “Anyway, I have a favor to ask. And you can’t tell Minni.”
“You know I hate keeping things from her.” Their anniversary is only a few weeks away. Is that what this is about?
“It’s nothing bad. Promise.” He rubs the back of his neck. “It’s good to have Charlie home.”
I’m not sure what to say. “I’m glad he’s back.”
“We all are. The town loves Charlie. Except for Miss Dundy County 2020. And maybe 2019, since she was there, handing over her crown.” He chuckles.
After Charlie barfed, he slipped and fell into Dani Rae, knocking her into the girl behind her. And on down the line until there was a pile of contestants on the stage, and Charlie, since Dani Rae grabbed his arm on her way down.
“Anyway, you’re helping him with that Homes for Hope project, right?” Chuck asks.
“Yeah. Why?”
“Charlie knows nothing about construction. I just want you to keep an eye on him. Make sure no one gives him a hard time. Minni would be devastated if he left again.”
“I think he can take care of himself. He’s an adult.”
“Sure. But he’s still Charlie.”
