Page 3 of Where the River Meets the Skye

Now it was Skye’s turn to flush. “Sure, yeah. I’m sorry.” Was River embarrassed or ashamed about being a virgin?

“You said you had more stuff to carry in?” River asked, and Skye was thankful for the change of subject. He nodded and grabbed his keys, River close behind him as they made their way to the parking lot.

Skye couldn’t help noticing the way River’s eyes lit up when he saw Skye’s car.

“Oh, wow.” His roommate’s smile was genuine as he stared. God, that was a sexy smile. Full, and bright, and absolutely beautiful. It suited him and Skye knew right then and there that he wanted to see more of it.

“She’s a 1969 Newport,” Skye said proudly. “She used to be my dad’s, but my mom kept her maintained after he died and I got her after I got my license.”

River’s eyes met his. “You lost your dad?”

Skye nodded. “It was a long time ago. I was four and I barely remember him.”

“I’m sorry,” River said, and Skye could tell he meant it, in a way that maybe even suggested that he knew what it was like to lose a parent. And then Skye remembered that River had come here with his aunt.

His chest tightened, emotions washing over him that he hadn't felt in a long time. He’d always missed his dad, wondered what his life would have been like if Jacob Mckenzie were still around, and had always wanted to make his father proud even after he’d been gone for years. “Thank you.”

River turned back to the car, his smile back, but not quite as wide. “She’s beautiful,” he murmured, running his fingers gently over the hood. Skye smiled, filled with pride once again.

“You have a car?” he asked. River shook his head.

“We drove my aunt’s station wagon here, but she’s taking it back with her when she leaves.”

“So you won’t have a car on campus?”

“Nah, but it’s okay. I’ll have my bike, and I don’t mind walking. It’s good exercise.”

Skye couldn’t believe the words that came out of his mouth next. “You’re welcome to borrow her, if you need to get somewhere, church or whatever.”

River’s eyes widened as their gazes met. “Are you sure?” He seemed stunned, and honestly Skye was pretty fucking stunned himself, but yeah, he was sure.

He shrugged. Normally he wouldn’t let another soul drive his car, but for some reason he didn’t have a problem with lending it to River. There was just something about him that Skye trusted, and letting River get behind the wheel of his baby, that didn’t bother him at all.

River gave Skye that breathtaking smile again. “Thanks.”

PRESENT DAY

Hey, what’s your ETA? Skye texted as he walked out of his bedroom. Are you coming home for dinner?

He couldn’t help but smile at how ridiculously domestic it sounded. But honestly, that’s what living with River was like. They’d developed a comfortable routine over the years. Skye enjoyed cooking and did pretty much all of it. River hated cooking, so he did the cleanup afterwards instead. Skye took care of the maintenance on the condo and both of their cars because he was good at it, and River knew shit all about cars. He took care of the dishwasher, the vacuuming, mopping, dusting, etc. and both men did their own laundry, and cleaned their own bathrooms, because River had informed Skye, when they first moved in, that he was not going anywhere near Skye’s bathroom without a hazmat suit. Skye, for his part, thought River was being a bit dramatic with that particular statement. His bathroom really wasn’t that bad, it just wasn’t pristine, like River’s.

All in all though, it was a pretty sweet arrangement, and the best part was that Skye was living with his best friend.

River had come out of his shell some in the past several years that Skye had known him. He was still shy and reserved around strangers and didn’t enjoy big crowds, but he was much more relaxed and at ease around Skye than he had been when they first met. When it was just him and River, or if they were hanging out with their friends Nick and Jenna, Skye got to see the real River; the River with the contagious laughter and a smile that lit up the room. The fun, sarcastic River that liked to joke and make people laugh. The tender, sweet River who was the first to comfort someone who was hurting. River didn’t trust easily but he loved fiercely, and if you were fortunate enough to make it into his small group of friends, you would have a loyal, faithful, amazing friend in return.

Depends, River texted back a moment later. What are you making? Smile emoji

Haven’t decided yet, Skye replied. Depends on if you’ll be here.

I think I’m gonna go out with my coworkers when I get off, actually. They’ve been inviting me for a while and I feel bad that I haven’t taken them up on it yet.

Where are you going?

Jake’s.

Jake’s was the local hangout. They would go there at least twice a month with Nick and Jenna, who they had met in college. Even though River never drank due to the antidepressants he was on that didn’t mix well with alcohol, he still enjoyed the atmosphere, the food, and the people. Enjoy yourself. And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. winky face emoji. I’ll see you later.

Since River wasn’t coming home for dinner, Skye decided to keep it simple. He cooked a hot dog on the stove and grabbed some greasy potato chips that he knew he wouldn’t be able to eat with his roommate there, without getting a lecture.

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