Page 20 of Covington Acres

“I was going to say that I also don’t want you to hold yourself back. That if there is something there with you and Colby, that he’s not Gregory. Just because he was an asshole doesn’t mean you shouldn’t trust yourself to fall for someone else. Even Colby.”

Vince held up his hand. “We’re getting way off track. You’re talking about things that will never happen.” Because even if Colby was queer and Vince wanted more with him, he wouldn’t let himself have it…after Gregory. He didn’t have it in himself to give Colby what he deserved.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Colby

“Hey, you.” Colbyslid into the booth across from Clint at Mama Adaline’s. It was their favorite restaurant, one they met up at every once in a while to touch base. The restaurant was the oldest black-owned business in Briar County and somewhat of a staple. Everyone loved it.

“Hey, man. How are you?” Clint asked.

“Can’t complain.”

“How you boys doing?” Evie asked. She was Mama Adaline’s daughter and one of the waitresses at the restaurant. She had short, dark curls, her head nearly buzzed, and always had a smile for everyone.

They chatted with Evie for a moment before ordering sweet tea and their food—Colby getting the fried fish and okra. They didn’t even have to look at the menus anymore to know what they wanted.

“How are August and Reese?” Colby asked when they were alone again.

“Good. Reese is happy Scout is here for the summer, and August is losing his mind, hinting to find out if there’s something going on with them, but also trying to respect Reese and give him his space.”

Colby chuckled.

“It’s so different at home since they moved in. I love it. They’re the best, but I can’t say I ever saw myself being a stepfather figure to a teenage boy. I feel so damn lucky to have them, while at the same time wondering how teenage boys canbe so messy.” Still, love and pride shined through his words. There was no doubt in Colby’s mind how much Clint loved being part of a family with August and Reese.

“I don’t envy you the messy-person-living-with-you part. Vince is a dream roommate when it comes to that.” He paused, thinking about how that sounded. “Not that I’m comparing my friend renting a room to having a stepson. I know the situation is different. My relationship with Vince isn’t as important.”

Lines formed around Clint’s face when he frowned. “Your relationship with Vince is important. It’s clear how much the two of you mean to each other. It’s just as valid.”

Colby shifted, feeling silly having said anything at all. It was an emotion he’d been experiencing a lot lately, and he couldn’t say he was real fond of it. He’d been a bit all over the place lately. “You know what I mean,” he said, feeling like he needed to have some kind of response. “We’re going out of town soon. Just to Asheville. Vince hadn’t hung out there much, so we thought it would be nice to get away.”

Luckily, his mom had pushed aside his concerns about his dad and said Colby and Vince deserved the time off. The kids could help with the farm. Things would be busier closer to the wedding, and then afterward with fall and the apples.

As far as changing the subject went, Colby wasn’t sure he’d succeeded. He’d maybe just made things more awkward or made Clint more curious.

“He’s going to try and hook up with someone,” he added.

Jesus. What was wrong with him? He felt like a child, keeping secrets and trying to cover things he had no reason to cover.

Clint snickered. “You gonna be his wingman?”

“Something like that.” Colby shrugged. “We’re going to do some other things too.”

“Well, that sounds fun. You deserve to have a good time, man. I’m glad you have Vince.”

Colby’s brows drew together. “I don’thaveVince.” But then, hadn’t he said similar things to Vince himself? Why was he being so weird about it when Clint was saying it?

“I feel like I’m messing up here, though I’m not sure why. So I’ll just remind you that I’m always here if you want to talk. And if you want me to shut the hell up, I can do that too.”

Colby couldn’t help smiling. He was being ridiculous. “Ignore me. I’ve been a bit of a mess lately.”

“We all have those times. That’s okay.”

Evie showed up with their food then, and the subject changed to some of the items Clint was working on in his metal shop and other topics that didn’t make Colby act strange.

“Hey, you two. How you doing lately?” Colby looked up to see Mandy Turner. She worked at Do’s and Toes across the street. She was a nice woman but a bit of a gossip, constantly trying to find out what was going on in Harmony.

“Not too bad. How are you?” Colby asked.

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