Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
But August’s favorite part was that he and Clint acted like a couple while they were there. It was the first time they’d done that in Harmony and around people they knew. He noticed people glancing Clint’s way once in a while, obviously surprised because Clint hadn’t been openly bisexual, but like he did with everything, Clint took it in stride, smiling, waving, and saying hello.
After dinner they headed back to Clint’s the way they did every night. Clint worked for a while in the shop, and August called Reese to check in.
“Hey, kid. How’s it going?”
“Great! I’m having so much fun. Pop took the whole time off, and we’ve done something together nearly every day. There’s so much more to do here than in Harmony.”
That was true, but still, something about hearing it made discomfort settle low in August’s belly. He tried to shove that feeling away and focus on Reese. “I’m glad you’re having fun.”
“Thanks, Dad. I love and miss you.”
August breathed out a sigh of relief. “I love and miss you too.”
They talked for another few minutes before ending the call. August told himself he was being ridiculous. He shouldn’t be jealous that his son was having a good time with his pop, so he pushed his feelings aside, fiddled around the house for a while, washed up the dishes from that morning, then headed upstairs for a shower.
Clint’s home felt like his now, and in some ways, he felt more comfortable there than in the little house he and Reese rented. He smiled when the glass doors opened and Clint sneaked in with him.
“He having fun?” Clint asked.
“Yep, and now I wanna have some fun with you.”
Which they did.
Twice that night.
August went to sleep with a smile on his face.
“Jesus, you’re hot,” August said when Clint came out of the bathroom, ready to head out to the bar. He was wearing a pair of jeans that hugged his thick thighs in all the right ways, and he had on a white tee with a black button-up shirt over it, left open. His hair was mostly styled backward, but a lock fell against his forehead. “Maybe we should stay home and I should keep you to myself all night.” He walked over, wrapped his arms around Clint, and nuzzled his neck.
“That would be fun too. I could keep you on your knees for me…or we could go out, enjoy some time with friends, then come back home and do the same thing.”
“Mmm, I think we can make that work.” August kissed him, then kissed him again because he could, before he pulled back.
“You look hot too.” Clint slapped his ass.
“I did this just for you,” August teased.
They chuckled as they went downstairs, grabbed their things, and headed out.
“I still can’t believe there’s a gay bar in Briar County,” Clint said along the way. Apparently it was pretty small, this hole-in-the-wall place, but still, it was a step in the right direction.
They talked as they drove, and August smiled when he saw a pride flag out front. “I never would have expected this as a kid. When I was young I thought being gay meant…hell, I thought it meant I would never get to be happy. I didn’t foresee being able to have a son, and getting you, and going out in this place I had such conflicted feelings about growing up.”
August was driving, and Clint reached over and put a hand on his thigh. “I hate that you felt that way.”
“I’m happy now, and I have you. That’s what matters.”
“If you’re not the sweetest thing, I don’t know what is.” Clint winked, and it made August’s heart thud in his chest.
They found a place to park. When they got out, Clint took his hand as they made their way into the bar. It was definitely small, with a long counter to the left, tables to the right, and a small stage at the very end.
And holy shit, it was packed. August couldn’t believe there were this many queer people close to them, but then he remembered all the advertising he’d seen when he looked it up. He figured people had traveled from neighboring cities to show their support.
“There they are.” Clint pointed toward the end of the bar, where Colby and Vince stood. Vince was talking and laughing with the bartender about something, Colby with his arms crossed and looking slightly uncomfortable. When Vince wrapped an arm around him and said something, looking as though he was trying to pull Colby into the fold, he smiled. August could tell it was a real one and not just for show.
They squeezed their way through the crowd of sweaty bodies. Colby saw them first, stepping away from Vince to greet Clint. “Hey, man.”
“Hey. This is crazy,” Clint replied.
Vince said, “People have come from everywhere. It’s not going to stay this busy, of course, but seems like there are a lot of queer folks in North Carolina who want to offer their support to a new place. I’ve met people from Charlotte, Asheville, and Raleigh already.”