Page 47 of Road to a Cowboy

Cal went.

* * *

Austin didn’t know where this sudden bout of nerves had come from, but he wasn’t a fan. Just that it had occurred to him, as they’d been cleaning up, that the after-dinner portion of the evening was usually when things happened. And he didn’t know how to approach that. Frankly, he was convinced he’d missed his chance. When they’d been talking earlier, about how long Austin had had feelings for Cal, that had been Austin’s moment. With Cal looking at him like he was the answer to his every question, Austin should’ve leaned over the table and kissed him.

But he hadn’t—mainly because the table was wide, and leaning over it to get to Cal would’ve put him practically in his plate—and he’d squandered his opportunity.

At least, he’d thought so, anyway.

Dusk had turned to night, and though the temperature had cooled, Austin’s skin felt hot. Stars winked around scattered clouds above, and as Cal walked under one of the few streetlamps lining their street, he handed Austin the bag of Twizzlers Austin hadn’t noticed he’d brought along.

Austin had never wished more for his camera than he did in this second. Cal’s outstretched arm dusted with dark hairs and corded with muscle, holding a bag of candy neither of them apparently liked all that much... it symbolized so much more than the sharing of a treat.

It was a hand to reach for in the darkness.

It was a shoulder to lean on when things were tough.

It was a phone call when a friendly voice was needed.

It was unconditional friendship and immediate support—and a willingness to go along with the other when one of them had a dumbass idea. Like dating.

Austin wanted a photo of Cal’s arm reaching out to him with that bag of candy.

Because it was and always had been about more than that.

Since he didn’t have his camera, Austin took a mental snapshot and added the photo to his mental Cal album that was already brimming with candids.

Austin wrapped his fingers around Cal’s wrist. With the other hand, he took the Twizzlers from Cal but didn’t pull one out. Just let the bag dangle from his fingertips as he tangled the fingers of his other hand with Cal’s. “What changed your mind?”

Cal’s steps slowed until he stopped on the sidewalk in front of his house. His gaze slipped down to their hands, then met Austin’s. “About?”

Austin squeezed their fingers. “This. I sensed some reticence when I first asked.”

Cal regarded him in silence for so long that Austin began to fidget.

“You said you’ve had feelings for me for a long time.” Cal’s voice was a breathy murmur in the darkness, sending shivers down Austin’s spine. “Well, I’ve had feelings for you for just as long.”

Austin’s heart skipped a beat, a second, before catching up to itself in a speed best reserved for physical activity. “What? But I... You... I didn’t know that.” Had never suspected. How had he never suspected?

Cal’s lips quirked. “You don’t know everything about me.”

“Lies!”

Cal chuckled. “My point,” he said, tugging on Austin’s hand, drawing him an inch closer, “is that this is important to me. Our friendship. It’s the most important thing in my life. So yes, there was reticence, but it came from a place of fear. Because I can’t lose this, Austin. I can’t.”

“You won’t.” Austin surged into Cal’s space, closing the distance between them. “You won’t. I promise.”

“You can’t make that kind of promise.” Cal’s other hand came up to rest at Austin’s hip. “Neither of us knows what tomorrow will bring.”

“But I can promise you won’t lose me.” Austin untangled their fingers and dropped the Twizzlers to the ground so he could clutch the front of Cal’s T-shirt with both hands. “No matter what happens between us or how this plays out, I can promise that, unless I get hit by the proverbial bus tomorrow, you won’t lose my friendship. It’s the most important thing to me too.”

Cal squeezed his hip. “Friends first.”

“Friends always,” Austin vowed.

“Okay,” Cal said softly. He brought his other hand up, palm flattening against Austin’s lower back.

Austin gulped.

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