Page 5 of Fruit and Flash

“On your own?” My sister adds in an obvious way. I really hope this isn’t a set-up.

“Guess I could just have the beer all to myself,” Leon shrugs and I roll my eyes, leaning on the counter.

They’re trying hard to get me to go out, but I still have flashbacks to getting the call that my parents were killed by a drunk long-haul trucker on their way home from the casino. I don’t drink and drive or let my friends do it either.

“I have beer here,” I point out. “We could clean and cook the fish you caught and watch a baseball game. Two beds open to you, bud. You have to work with me tomorrow anyway.”

“Or,” Leon holds a finger up like he had a lightbulb moment, “I put the fish in your freezer for you to eat later, and we go to town to shoot some pool.”

“What a great idea,” Kristen nods and I resist the urge to roll my eyes again.

Rubbing at my beard, I consider their cockamamie plan. If I agree, it might get them off my back. “So I get a fish for being your designated driver?”

“You get a fish and time with your friend,” Leon winks and I can’t stop my second eyeroll.

“Fine,” I concede, turning to wash my hands in the sink and watch Meg with the animals outside. She’s so full of joy and curiosity. I feel like I need some of that in my life. “I’ll go.”

Chapter three

Kai

Leavingtheboutiqueatsunset after changing to a cream linen shirt and matching shorts, I see there’s a pizza place across Main Street, but we turn right and cross a side street to the bar called Pints and Pool. The temperature doesn’t feel as though it has dropped much in the hour since I stepped foot in Foggy Basin.

Ezra and Avery continue their discussion about fabrics and I fall into step beside Olly. He’s not as talkative, but still friendly, and I’m glad to know Ezra won’t be the only person I know in town. Granted, I have met a farmer and mechanic from my few hours here before.

“Missing Hawai’i in this heat?” Olly asks as he holds the door for us to enter, letting the cool air wash over me.

“It does rarely hit ninety degrees there,” I comment, waiting for him to walk in before we follow Ezra to the bar. I have a feeling I’m going to be having a lot of conversations about the weather. “But I hear this is a dry heat. Less tropical.”

Olly nods and we step up to the bar beside the others, with him wrapping his partner from behind, their bodies aligned from head to toe. Looking around the half-full establishment, I don’t see anyone bothered by the two men showing affection. I feel a rush of queer joy that this small town is possibly as accepting as Ezra promised.

Even in cities, you got idiots who thought two men holding hands was a problem. Hopefully the small town was too polite for that.

“What’ll you have?” The bartender asks and I subtly check him out. He’s tall and bearded, and I immediately think of my farmer. Well not my farmer…

“Kai?” Ezra asks to get my attention. He’s blinking at me with a small smile and I realize my mind wandered. He probably thinks it was about the bartender. “Foggy Basin has a local brewery and a new meadery, which I highly suggest.”

“Don’t know if I’ve ever had mead,” I comment and turn to the bartender. “What do you suggest?”

“We’ve got Celestial Cask’s wildflower honey mead and spiced mead in now. I like the spiced one, but I suggest starting with the classic honey mead for your first.”

“Sounds good, thanks.”

“Ooh, me too,” Ezra says.

“Me three,” Avery nods in agreement and we all look at Olly.

He shakes his head and requests something else, “I’ll have the Foggy Basin Brewing Company’s lager, thanks.”

“Coming right up,” the bartender raps the polished wood bar with his knuckles and turns to fill our glasses.

Facing the room, I take in the rustic decor and handful of pool tables. There’s also darts in one corner and I hear country music playing from speakers. It’s clean and I notice a rainbow in one window, so I feel welcome.

“Nice place.”

“Isn’t it?” Ezra replies and points toward the back door. “They have camping spots out back and rentals upstairs. I was going to suggest it before you said the pull-out couch would work.”

“If you feel like staying longer, it could be an option,” Olly adds as our drinks are set in front of us.