Page 57 of Rust and Stardust

“I… uh…” I glanced at Lucas, taking a breath. “No sir. I don’t reckon I do.”

Mr. Johnson glanced down at my hand that was still intertwined with Lucas’s. “I figured as much.” He turned back to his daughter. “Now put that ring away and stop actin’ like a damn fool in front of all these people. You’re makin’ our entire family look disgraceful.”

“Sorry Daddy…”

“I don’t wanna hear it, darlin’,” he replied, turning away from her once more. “Not right now. You’ve got an awful lot of growin’ up to do still.”

Amber May looked thoroughly defeated, and I found myself almost feeling bad for her. But I’d known her father my whole life. He was the most loving and doting man I ever met. Driving him to disappointment meant Amber May had very much overstepped her bounds.

“Now listen here, young man,” he continued, looking at me. “I think this idea of yours really has some merit, and I’d be willin’ to help you get that goin’ if you can look past my daughter’s behavior today. I sincerely apologize.”

Amber May seemed to get smaller and smaller behind him. I couldn’t help but smile as I offered up my hand to shake. “I’d be more than happy to discuss that possibility, sir.”

Mr. Johnson smiled, taking my hand. “I’m glad to hear it my boy.” His gripped tightened as he pulled me in. “And just betweenyou and me, I had a guy friend like you before I met Amber’s mother. Some of the most peaceful days of my life.”

I couldn’t help gawking slightly as he pulled back and gave me a wink. He turned back to Amber May and with a shooing motion, ushered her away from the crowd. However, there were still plenty of people pointing and whispering and staring at me and Lucas. But I wasn’t about to let go of that boy’s hand. Pulling him along, I led him out of the crowd and to the back of the fairgrounds where the animal barns were at, far from the lights of the midway.

As soon as we were behind the biggest horse barn and all alone in the dark, I grabbed his waist and pulled him in, kissing him hard on the mouth. Before I knew it, his hands were under my shirt while mine moved down to his ass. It seemed the rush of emotions had gotten the better of us both.

“Wait,” Lucas said, pulling away from me. “We… We can’t do this.”

“Nobody will see,” I replied, tightening my grip on him.

“No. That’s not what I meant.”

I let go of him immediately, sensing something was off. “What’s wrong, city boy?” I asked, cocking my head to the side. “You okay?”

Lucas took a deep breath, his green eyes searching mine in the dim light. “Beau, I... I can't do this anymore. The sneaking around, the hiding. What just happened out there with Amber May... it made me realize something.”

My heart sank. “What do you mean?”

He ran a hand through his dark hair, looking conflicted. “I care about you. A lot. And I can’t keep lying to you anymore.”

I felt my heart skip a beat. “Lying to me? What do you mean?”

Lucas took a shaky breath, his eyes darting away from mine. “I... I'm not who you think I am, Beau. I haven't been completely honest with you.”

My stomach dropped. “What are you talkin' about?”

He stepped back, creating distance between us. “I'm not really here to scout for food festivals.” He looked pained as he spoke, eachword hurting him more than the last. “I work for Harvest Foods in New York.”

“The frozen dinner company?”

He nodded. “And they sent me and Logan here to... to steal recipes from… well from people like you.”

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. “You... what?”

Lucas looked miserable. “My boss wanted to get real southern food for our next summer line… without paying for it.” He swallowed hard. “When I met you, I thought... I thought maybe I could get close to you, learn about your barbecue secrets and take them back. But then I actually fell for you and I...” His voice cracked. “And I realized?—”

“Wait a second,” I said, cutting him off. “You were gonna steal from me? From the very beginning?”

Lucas bit his lower lip, tears forming in the corners of his eyes. “Yes. But I’m not going to now?—”

“So, the only reason you talked to me… the reason you came to my house for those riding lessons… was just to trick me?”

Lucas's face crumpled, tears now falling freely. “No, Beau, it's not like that. I mean, yes, at first, but?—”

I stepped back, feeling like the ground was shifting beneath my feet. The whole world was crumbling around me. “So, everything between us... it was all a lie?”

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