“Are you askin’ if my parents know about you?” Brantley’s tone held more than a little edge.
“I don’t care if they know,” he said quickly, setting the salmon on the counter. “You have maple syrup?”
“Pantry. I didn’t tell ’em. Trey did.”
Reese nodded. “The night I kicked him and Cyrus out.”
Made sense. He’d taken a stand that night, and looking back, he wasn’t ashamed that he had. He’d wanted to take care of Brantley then. The same as he did now.
“Got a bottle of Jack?”
“Cabinet over the stove.”
Reese snagged the whiskey bottle, cracked open the lid for the first time. “Not a big whiskey drinker, huh?”
“Beer’s more my thing.”
This was good. Casual conversation. Brantley seemed to be relaxing a little.
“You mind heatin’ up the grill for me?” he prompted as he started preparing the salmon.
Brantley went out, started the grill, returned, and grabbed two beers. After popping the tops, he passed one over. “You said we needed to talk.”
Reese looked up, noticed the frown line marring Brantley’s forehead.
“It’s not doom and gloom, Navy boy,” he said, hoping to lighten the mood.
The way Brantley stared back at him said he didn’t believe him.
“Let me get the fish on first.”
With a grunt, Brantley stepped back outside, checked the grill. Reese could see him through the glass doors, watched as Brantley turned to stare out into the yard. It didn’t surprise him when he didn’t return. It was that distance thing. Brantley was damn good at putting space between them. And it was instantaneous when he did. No argument, just immediate retreat.
Once Reese got the salmon seasoned to his liking, he took the plate and his beer and went outside. He got the fish laid out in foil, closed the lid, turned to face Brantley.
“When we were leavin’ the dealership, I didn’t know whether to assume I was comin’ here or you were comin’ to my place,” he said, getting the words out before he changed his mind. “I didn’t want to go home alone, but I didn’t want to impose on you, either.”
Brantley’s gaze swung his way.
“I know we’re takin’ things slow because you think that’s what I need, but … I guess what I’m tryin’ to say is I don’t want slow. Not as far as this goes.” He gestured between them. “I want to spend time with you, Brantley. But I don’t want to push, don’t want to assume.”
Brantley turned away from him.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve really dated anyone,” Reese continued. “A couple of one-nighters here and there but never anything serious.”
Still nothing from Brantley.
Reese decided to come out with it. “Is this serious, Brantley? For you?”
That got him the attention he was hoping for. Brantley turned, took a long pull on his beer.
“It’s not a one-nighter, if that’s what you’re askin’,” Brantley said gruffly.
Reese nodded. Not exactly an answer. They both knew it wasn’t a one-nighter already. Too much time spent together to qualify. Didn’t do a damn thing to clarify what it was though.
He turned, took a drink, stared out at the barn as night continued to swallow up the earth.
“I haven’t dated anyone,” Brantley finally said. “Not since I got my trident. The Teams became my life. It was the only thing that mattered. One-nighters were all I could offer.” He glanced over. “Cyrus was a consistent hookup but never serious.”
Reese did his best not to flinch at the mention of Cyrus.
“So I don’t really know how to do this. I wanna take you out because I want to spend time with you. Do things with you,” Brantley said. “Not because I’m tryin’ to seduce you. Although, I wanna do that, too.”
Reese couldn’t hold back the smile.
“And certainly not because I want to flaunt this in front of everyone. I know you’re not ready for that.”
No, Reese wasn’t ready for that. One day. He hoped.
When Brantley didn’t continue, Reese let all the spoken words settle between them before he made a decision for both of them.
“Then we’ll agree this is more. That we want to spend time together. So unless one of us says otherwise, we won’t try to put distance where it’s not needed.”
“I like that plan.”
Content that they at least had one, Reese went back to cooking dinner.
Another hour and a half passed while they talked about growing up in Coyote Ridge, some of the things that had changed. Main Street and the numerous new businesses that had appeared, the constant festivals being put on by the new mayor. And the fact the Gas ’n Go had undergone new management. Mundane, boring. Comfortable.
Reese declined another beer when Brantley started cleaning up the kitchen. He wasn’t interested in another drink when the only thing he wanted was standing right in front of him.
“I’m gonna shower,” Brantley said when he finished loading the dishwasher. “Join me?”
