Page 67 of Covington Acres

And that was that. These kids gave Vince a whole lot of hope for the future.

The other kids came in, and they all congregated in the dining room. Dinner was a loud, joyous affair like it always was at Covington Acres.

Colby mentioned how they wanted to go to California and see Vince’s aunt and uncle, and everyone assured them the farm would be fine. They’d hire extra help or whatever it was they had to do. The details could be figured out another day.

“We’d love to have them out here sometime too,” Vicki said.

“Yes, ma’am. I know they’d love that,” Vince replied.

Charles cleared his throat. “There’s absolutely no obligation with what I’m about to say. It’s your life, and the two of you need to do what’s best for you, but from what I’ve seen, you love this farm, Vince, and you’re good at it. Even if Colby decides it’s not what he wants, you always have a place at Covington Acres. You’re family, and that means the main operations are still family run.”

Not for the first time that day, Vince felt too much emotion to speak. He wanted that, wanted it more than almost anything. “Thank you. That means a lot to me. I’d like that.”

Colby put a hand on Vince’s thigh. “I think everything is going to turn out just the way it should.”

Vince leaned over and kissed him. Yeah, he thought so too.

They finished dinner on much lighter topics. There was lots of wedding talk for the big day that was so close now.

There were more hugs and kisses when it was time to say goodbye. When they got back into Colby’s truck, Vince couldn’t stop looking at him, couldn’t believe his luck.

“What?” Colby tossed a playful glance his way.

“Just admiring how hot my boyfriend is.”

Colby chuckled. “Not as hot as mine.”

“I was proud of you today.”

“Thank you. I’m proud of me too. I’m just glad you felt the same. This day could have ended a whole lot differently if you hadn’t.”

Vince chuckled. “I’ve known for a while. I just had to get over my shit. I called Gregory the other day.”

Colby whipped his head in his direction.

“Watch the road, baby. I just… I needed to officially let go of him and all my feelings. Tell him what he did to me, tell him out loud that it was him and not me. For a while I thought I didn’t deserve something better.”

“You do. Christ, you do.”

“I sorted through that. Stopped letting him play tricks on me. I told him that not only did I know I deserve better, but that I found it…that I felt sorry for him, but that I really hope his new relationship works out and that he doesn’t do to him what he did to me. I hope he’s happy because I will be.” He’d just needed to let go, and now he had and could move on.

“Jesus, sweetheart. Talk about being proud of me. I’m proud of you. That’s incredible.”

“Eh, I’m good, I guess. Also, I like that.”

“Like what?”

“You calling me sweetheart.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Colby

When they gotout of the truck, Vince met him in front of it and took Colby’s hand. Colby looked at him, smiled, felt a whirlwind of emotion, of excitement, ofhopethat he’d been missing his whole life. “I’m happy,” he admitted as they walked to the house that way, hand in hand. And while he’d always thought he was happy in most ways despite his difficulties, he realized what he was experiencing now was so much fucking more.

“Good. I want to make you happy.” They stopped by the door. Vince brushed his fingers down the side of Colby’s face, held his chin, before dipping his head and taking Colby’s mouth. Their bodies pulled together, arms wrapped around each other, while they slowly, savoringly explored each other’s mouths. He loved the feel of Vince against him, the taste of him, the way Vince inhabited all his senses, filled him up.

“Want you,” Colby told him as Vince’s mouth traveled down his throat.

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