Page 35 of Covington Acres

The Biltmore wasincredible. They took a guided tour of the house, spent some time exploring the gardens, then had a late lunch at the village. Like it always was between them, they never ran out of things to talk about, but they also had their moments of comfortable silence.

Vince got along with everyone. He was low-key, easygoing, and felt comfortable in most situations, but still he feltmorecomfortable with Colby. He couldn’t say why, really. Everything was easy between them—easier than with anyone else.

He wasn’t surprised he’d offered to go to Europe with Colby. He’d been before and liked it, and he hadn’t been lying when he’d said he enjoyed traveling, but still, the evolution of their friendship surprised him. Maybe it was because he was still riding the high from coming his brains out with a man who meant so much to him, someone he hadn’t thought he would ever have that kind of relationship with.

After the Biltmore, they did some more exploring around Asheville and found a nice restaurant for dinner. It was within walking distance from their hotel, so they’d left Colby’s truck there.

When they finished with their meal, Colby insisted on paying.

“You trying to take me out on a date?” Vince teased, and he saw Colby’s back straighten in response. “I’m kidding. Don’t stress out.”

“I was afraidyouwere stressing out.”

“You couldn’t tell by my playful tone?”

“Eh. Good point. I guess I’m just being careful.”

Because he’s scared of messing this up, Vince wondered,or because he’s afraid I would fall for him?

Before Vince could figure out how to reply, he heard adum, dum, dumin the background, getting louder and louder. “What’s that?” he asked. Clearly, it was drums, but were they having some kind of festival or something?

“Oh shit. I forgot about the drum circle. They do it every Friday night in the warm months.”

Colby took Vince’s hand and pulled him along. They walked down the block, and across the street in the park, about a hundred and fifty people congregated. The beat of the drums was loud, vibrating. People talked, laughed, and danced to the music.

“Do you want to go?” Colby asked.

“Fuck yes.” With their hands still clasped, they crossed the street. There was a circular brick courtyard where some of the drummers stood, but there were also rows and concrete steps around it where even more played. There was laughter and smiles, Vince unable to keep himself from grinning too at the people who just seemed so happy and at peace with each other.

“This is incredible.” They moved together close to the circle, just watching. Vince’s heart was beating faster than it should, an energetic rise in his pulse.

People of every age and race were around them, moving to this tune they all created together or for each other.

“Yeah, I like it too.”

They found a place in the grass, just enjoying the view and the music.

“Where else are we going to go?” Vince asked.

“What do you mean? Tonight?”

“No. You told me where you want to go abroad. Where have you always wanted to visit in the United States?”

“New Orleans,” Colby answered automatically. “Seems like a cool place to go.”

“We definitely need to go there sometime. I haven’t been.”

They sat there a while together, talking about all the places they had been and the places they would go together. They also talked more about brewing beer, and how they wanted to try and make another batch when they got home.

“What about you? We’re always talking about me, what I want to do or where I want to go. I want your secrets too,” Colby said, his gaze holding Vince’s.

“I shared some of my secrets with you last night. The Gregory stuff and about my family.”

“I know.” Colby picked a blade of grass off Vince’s jeans. “Tell me something good, though…or something you want to experience, so we can do it together.”

Vince was struck speechless for a moment. He couldn’t figure out what to say. If he wanted to do something, he just did it. If he felt something, he did it. Even now, with Colby, that’s what he was doing. As he sat there with his friend, Vince couldn’t think of anything else he wanted more, anything else he needed. At least not right then.

“Dance with me,” Vince said instead of answering.

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