Page 6 of Road to a Cowboy

On his way out of the tent with Austin, Cal took a look around for the first time since he’d arrived. Austin had some of his best work on display to attract customers. The framed pieces were pricier, ranging anywhere from eighty dollars to over a thousand depending on the size. Austin also had baskets with prints he sold for twenty bucks, and this year he was also selling his photography on coasters, mugs, bookmarks, and as 500-piece puzzles.

“How are sales today?” Cal asked.

“Not bad, considering the market’s only been open for a couple of hours. You know that photo of the Orion Nebula I took in England last winter? I blew it up to eighteen by twenty-four and framed it, and it sold this morning for almost two grand. The customer’s also shelling out for shipping charges.”

Cal bumped their shoulders. “You’re buying lunch then.”

Austin chuckled.

The market’s food aisle was a mix of smells: Mediterranean spices, deep fried onion rings, sautéed garlic, pizza sauce, and baking dough. Cal eyed a black bean dish that made his mouth water, but his stomach wasn’t quite ready for lunch yet. It wanted the breakfast burrito in the next stall over.

Once they had their meals, they sat at one of the tables in the small eating area under a massive tree that provided shade from the sun. Austin unwrapped his burrito and, casual as fuck, said, “Want to tell me what’s bothering you?”

Cal stared at him. “What?”

Austin met his gaze. “Something’s bothering you.”

A family of four unfolded a blanket nearby, settling in for a picnic and drawing Cal’s attention, giving him an excuse to avoid Austin’s gaze. “I’m fine.”

Setting his burrito down, Austin sighed. “If you don’t want to talk about it, just say so. But don’t lie to me.”

That drew Cal’s attention back to Austin. He didn’t look angry or disappointed, just... resolute.

Austin had always been a talk-about-your-feelings kind of guy, which—speaking of aliens—had often left Cal wondering what alien species he came from. It had gotten worse after Lindsay died, as though Austin thought that if he didn’t get his feelings off his chest, he’d never get the chance.

“I spoke with my mom this morning,” Cal said, even though he’d had no intention of talking about it.

Austin’s lips flattened. His eyes narrowed, creating lines at the corners.

It was Cal’s turn to sigh, knowing what was coming before Austin even opened his mouth. Cal grimaced. “Don’t say it.”

“Why do you keep taking her calls?”

Cal’s fingers clenched around his burrito. “It’s fine. She just needs a few groceries.”

“Which she can get herself. She has two working legs.”

“But no car.”

“There’s the ride share. Taxis. Hell, The General Store delivers. She wouldn’t even have to leave the house. Place an order before noon and it’s delivered before five.”

“Austin—”

“She doesn’t deserve you.”

The words fell between them, as subtle as a hammer falling from the sky. Cal sucked in a breath at the vehemence behind Austin’s statement, at the fierceness in Austin’s eyes. Austin had abandoned his food and sat with his arms crossed over his chest, his gaze narrowed in challenge, as though daring Cal to argue.

And of course, Cal did. He passed a hand over his face, letting out a long breath that inexplicably made his chest go tight. He appreciated that Austin had his back more than he could ever explain, but at the end of the day...

“She’s my mom, Austin,” he said quietly.

“She birthed you,” Austin said just as quietly. “But she was never a mom.”

Cal stiffened, his chest squeezing tighter. Although Austin had never been shy about voicing his opinion of Cal’s mother, he’d never quite laid the truth bare like this either.

She birthed you. But she was never a mom.

Cal had known that, of course, in an abstract way he couldn’t put words to.

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