Page 33 of Leading the Blind
“You’re— Damn, Bax. Come up here, you.”
He climbed up Jason’s body, ready for some kissing and stroking of his own. Afterglow was the best part, which he wouldn’t ever have said.
Now he knew, though. Loving someone was damn cool.
Jason cradled him, dancing fingers over his skin, loving on him.
“Mmm. You feel so good, Mini.”
“I feel like yours.”
“You are. I got you. I keep telling you that.”
Jason pinched him, not too hard, but it wasn’t sweet either. “You do. Thank God for small favors. You ever—? Did you ever think on where we ought to light, after all this shit is done?”
“Huh?” He gave that the thought it deserved. “Well, Texas, broadly.”
“I know that, doof.” Jason sighed loud. “I was thinking about the beach, maybe. Somewhere on the Gulf.”
“Yeah? I wouldn’t mind the beach. I wouldn’t mind that at all.”
“I mean, what kind of a spread? I want a little land, you know? Room for some toys, some animals.” He was grinning so hard that Jason could probably feel it.
“Sure. I can’t imagine living in a condo or nothing.” Jason stretched as tall as his little body allowed. “We’re cowboys. Weneed critters and space to roam. But I want to run on the beach too.”
“Sounds good. I mean, I’ve seen ranch-type places in Galveston.” He had, right? He would google it.
Really, how hard could it be to find what they wanted? They had enough money for some acreage.
“Cool. You know I got enough to throw in with you. We could have a nice spread, some critters, dogs.” Jason’s smile was…blissful, like someone had given him everything he’d ever fucking wanted.
“We could.” Man, his heart was just pounding suddenly. Him and Jase, they were talking forever. Oh, he knew Jase was his ‘always thing’, but to have it out there? “I want that.”
Jase tilted his head, one hand landing like a lead balloon on his chest. “You sure, buddy? I wouldn’t make you.”
“Jesus, Jason. I want you, full stop. The thought of getting old with you, of getting to wake up with you every day? I couldn’t ask for no more than that in any life.”
He put his hand over Jase’s, needing him to feel the truth.
“I’m gonna do it, Bax. I’m gonna ride in the big show and win us enough money to retire. I swear to God, I’ll do it.” Jase burned for him, the passion flashing in those sightless eyes.
“I believe you.” It scared him to death, when Jason fell or ran the wrong way, but on sheer riding talent, he was confident that Jason could do it.
“Good, ‘cause I need that. I need you, and I need to know there’s something real on the other side—critters, ocean, sand, dogs, home.” Jason was open to him, not blustering or hiding a bit.
“I swear it. I ain’t gonna just leave.”
“Me either, so we’re stuck like glue.”
“I love that. Love you.” It still felt weird to be able to say it out loud.
Jason’s face lit up in a smile, and he didn’t have to hear it to know that Mini felt the same goddamn way.
Andy Baxter could see it, and he was a fucking lucky man.
Now he needed to pray that Jason was just as lucky.
Chapter Seven
