Page 47 of The Beautiful Mess

They kept the conversation light on the way to the restaurant, catching up on their day. Kerry sensed Keegan was holding something back, but he didn’t push. They’d talked on the phone after Keegan’s shift the previous evening, and Keegan had mentioned that he sometimes gets lost in his thoughts after a therapy session. He made Kerry promise to pull him out by his legs if that happened. Kerry wouldn’t do anything of the sort, but he could sit beside Keegan and be there when he needed him.

Saucy Bones was a happening place for a Wednesday night. Smoke billowed from behind the restaurant. If someone didn’t know better, they might think the place was on fire. Kerry tilted his head back and inhaled. “Smoked meat is the best,” he announced.

“Period,” Keegan agreed.

Kerry’s mouth watered, and his taste buds danced when he stepped into the restaurant. The interior wasn’t much to look at, but no one there cared a plug nickel about decor. Roy “Saucy” Jones kept his restaurant as spotless as his reputation. They found a small table for two open at the very back of the restaurant, and Kerry led Keegan to it. Neither of them reached for a menu, proving how familiar they were with the offerings.

“Why didn’t I know you loved this place?” Kerry asked.

Keegan shrugged. “Guess it never came up.”

They shared a smile before the server came over to get their drinks. Keegan only wanted water, while Kerry chose a diet soda. When asked if they knew what they wanted to eat, the guys started talking at the same time. The server laughed, pointed his pen at Keegan, and directed him to go first. Kee ordered the saucy trio with macaroni and cheese and baked beans as his sides.

“I’ll have the same,” Kerry said. “Could I get an extra mac and cheese and a double portion of cornbread?”

“You got it,” he said. “Your drinks and dinner will be right out.”

Kerry looked at Keegan when they were alone again. “The trio, huh?”

“I can never decide if I want brisket, pulled pork, or ribs, so I get the trio,” Keegan said.

“Double mac and cornbread, huh?” Keegan raked his gaze over Kerry’s torso. “Where the hell do you put it?”

“I need a lot of food to fuel this body,” Kerry replied.

Keegan’s eyes glazed over, and his nostrils flared with his next inhale. Kerry had no doubts about where his mind went.

“But I try to balance things out with exercise and a healthy diet most of the time.” Kerry looked around the crowded restaurant and noted the happiness on everyone’s faces. “Life is too short not to eat the things that bring you joy.”

The server returned as quickly as she promised with their food and drinks. The macaroni and cheese arrived just how Kerry loved it. Some people liked buttery breadcrumbs on theirs, but Kerry was all about the golden-brown cheesy top. The moan he made with the first bite got everyone’s attention at the nearby tables. Keegan watched him for a few minutes without taking a bite. Kerry swallowed his bite, washed it down with cola, and pointed his fork at Keegan’s plate. “You’ve got ribs, pulled pork, and brisket to eat.”

Keegan’s cheeks turned pink. “Sorry. I got distracted by how much pleasure you got from eating the mac and cheese.”

Kerry leaned forward, lowered his voice, and said, “Wait until I eat you later.” He slathered a thick layer of butter on a thick square of cornbread and set it on Keegan’s plate.

Keegan’s mouth parted on a silent “Oh,” and he swallowed hard. He sampled his sides and took a bite of the cornbread before moving on to his meats.

Kerry watched in awe as Keegan ate everything on his plate. “I can’t finish this second mac and cheese. Do you want it?”

“I’m full.” Keegan reached for his wet wipe packet but stopped and lifted his hand to his face. He licked a spot of sauce off the tip of one finger. He glanced up and caught Kerry watching. Wickedness danced in his hazel eyes as he angled his body just enough so only Kerry could watch him roll his tongue around the tip of the next finger. “Where are my next set of cards?” When Kerry only blinked, he added, “For the next part of our date.”

“Oh, um, they’re in the truck.”

Keegan nodded to his plate. “Are you done eating?”

Kerry tapped his knuckles on the table and sat back in his chair. He signaled for their server so he could settle their bill. They went through two wet wipes each, and Kerry still didn’t feel clean. He’d smell like woodsmoke for at least a day, but that didn’t bother him. Once in the truck, he opened the center console and pulled out the two index cards. One offered Keegan a night of axe throwing, and the other would take them to a wine and guided painting session at the art center. Kerry didn’t have an artistic bone in his body, so he definitely had a preference, though he’d give painting his best shot if that was Keegan’s choice.

“Wow,” Keegan said.

Kerry thought he’d gotten a peek at the writing on the cards, but Keegan’s attention was focused on the box of condoms and lube packets in his console. His active sex life hadn’t been a source of shame until that moment.

“Looks like you have a big appetite everywhere,” Keegan teased.

“This stash has been in here a long time.” He closed the console and angled in the seat to present the cards to Keegan. “I haven’t needed the supplies and forgot they were there.”

“Kerry, you don’t owe me an account of your sexual history. I know the score.”

He shook his head. “You know what it used to be,” Kerry amended. “Random hookups stopped appealing to me the night I met you.”

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