Page 44 of Road to a Cowboy

“Ewan and Orson. Obviously.”

Austin grinned and set the cutlery on the counter for Cal to grab. “And that—” He nodded at Cal’s arm. “—is a war wound?”

“You should see Ewan’s.”

“Why didn’t you wear the arm guards?”

Cal shrugged. “Couldn’t be bothered.”

“Couldn’t be bothered,” Austin repeated with an eye roll. “Seriously, what is it with the men in this town?” Before Cal could ask what Austin was talking about, he continued. “I ran into Las and Marco when I was at the ranch shooting some photos earlier this week, and they were also having a go at archery without arm guards. Las came out unscathed, but Marco’s arm looks like a horse trampled over it. And Derek has a bruise that looks like what yours will look like in a few days.” He checked on his simmering dish, nodded once, and jerked his chin at a nearby plate. “Do you think that’s enough cheese to sprinkle on top?”

Cal eyed the small mountain Austin had already shredded and shook his head. “Definitely not.”

“That’s what I thought.”

Austin got the brick of cheese out of the fridge while Cal sliced bread, and they worked side by side like they always had.

It was in that moment, when Cal had a minute to himself, that he realized the nerves were gone. Because this was them. Just them. It was a date, sure, but it didn’t feel like one. Instead, it was like any other Friday evening.

He both loved that and hated it.

Loved it because this was natural. The easy conversation, the segue from one topic to another, the way they navigated the kitchen without bumping into each other... it was familiar and uncomplicated.

Hated it because... Well, weren’t first dates meant to be special? Wasn’t that what Austin had tried to do last week? Make their first date special by dressing up and going somewhere nice?

Christ. And Cal had shit all over that because...

Because why?

The answer, which had been so clear a week ago, eluded him.

He was an asshole for ruining Austin’s big night, and he hated himself a little bit for it.

But he’d make it up to him. Somehow, someway, he’d make sure Austin got the date he deserved.

They sat down to eat a few minutes later, and before Cal had swallowed his first delicious mouthful, Austin said, “What are your thoughts on Norway?”

Cal cocked his head. “The country? Wait, is this like that alien thing you asked me about the other day? A question with no purpose?”

“Excuse you, my questions always have purpose.” Austin jabbed his fork in Cal’s direction. “Now that you bring it up, you never did answer that question. So? What are your thoughts on aliens?”

“I think there’s virtually no chance that we’re the only intelligent life in the universe.”

“And what about Norway?”

“Can’t say I’ve ever had any burning thoughts about Norway. Why do you ask? Is that where the aliens live?”

Austin choked out a laugh. “Uh, no.” He sat back and stared at his plate for a moment before lifting his gaze to meet Cal’s. “I was offered a teaching gig at the Norwegian School of Photography to backfill a two-term absence.”

Cal’s stomach dropped to his toes at the same time as excitement for Austin swelled in his chest. He was used to Austin leaving for short stints abroad for one of the magazines he freelanced for.

He wasn’t used to Austin being gone for months at a time.

“Did you learn to speak Norwegian when I wasn’t looking?” Cal snapped his fingers as though the answer had just occurred to him. “The Norwegian aliens must have a universal translator.”

Throwing his head back, Austin laughed, the sound booming throughout the kitchen and sending bells of pleasure ringing across Cal’s skin. “If only such a thing existed. But no. Some of the courses are taught in English. Hedda says they have a large international student population.”

Cal had met Austin’s mentor only once, and his first impression had been fierce coupled with kinda scary.

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