Page 21 of Hearing Hank

Just as the last waves of my orgasm ebb, Hank’s body contracts around me and he lets out a satisfied groan. I gather my strength for a moment, then roll off him and off the bed so I can get us cleaned up quickly and snuggle back in where I want to be most. I wipe us both down and get under the covers with Hank. I want nothing more than to spend all night in his arms. We kiss for a minute, slow and sweet, and drift off together as close as two people can get.

Rising slowly into awareness, I can feel a long warm body all the way down my left side. I smile with satisfaction and roll toward Hank, finding him awake and watching me. I tuck my hands under my cheek to stop myself from reaching for him. I have a few things I want to say, and if I touch him, we’re going to be too distracted to talk.

“Morning,” Hank says. “Sleep good?”

“Like the dead,” I tell him, and then I just jump in with both feet. “Okay, so we’re doing this, right? We’re having a real relationship with the expectation that we’ll stay together?”

Hank nods slowly at me, and just a little warily. “Yes, that’s what I want. Forever if I can get it. Even if I find out something awful like you load the dishwasher wrong or don’t like dogs.”

I snort-laugh. The sense of humor that has shown itself since Hank started talking to me is the best. I love that he has a snarky edge hiding under his quiet exterior. “I want a promise,” I tell him. “I promise I’ll give you all the time and space or anything else you ask for, as long as you promise to communicate with me. The last couple of days were really hard, and that’s not a pattern I’m okay with. I don’t want to do on-again-off-again.”

“No, I don’t either,” he tells me. “I knew it wasn’t the right thing to do while I was doing it, I just couldn’t stop myself. Then afterward I was upset and embarrassed, and it took a while for me to talk myself around. If something like that happens again, I’ll just let you know that I need to process for a while. I’m not about to let what my parents did mess up my future.”

Reassured, I scoot forward and kiss him. That was all I needed to hear. I hope he doesn’t have a lot of work to do today because I’m going to make sure he’s very, very late.

25

Hank

Ilookaroundtheside yard in awe. I’ve been helping clear and set up and haul things for the past week, and I’m still amazed at how it’s all come together. Lee absolutely had a vision, and he executed it perfectly. He turned the fairy lights on just before the ceremony, and the yard looks like a whole other world. There are only a few of us here for the ceremony itself, just family. The same Justice of the Peace who married Wyatt and Mark is here to marry Sam and Paul, and she manages to look appropriately serious and joyful at the same time.

The ceremony is short and sweet. Paul is smiling through tears and Sam is looking suspiciously red around the eyes as well. Lee leans against me and we hold hands as we listen to their vows. When it’s over and they are pronounced husbands, Wyatt tears up too. There are hugs and congratulations all around. Lee scheduled an hour between the ceremony and the party afterward, which seemed like a lot of time, but it goes by quickly. No one felt the need for a professional photographer, so Mark took some photos of the ceremony, and now we all take turns taking pictures of all of us still dressed up. I’m sure by the time the party starts, most of us will have shed the uncomfortable parts of our get-ups.

After the photos, Lee and I start working on setting up the beverage stations, and Miss Leeanne shows up with two helpers to set up the food and put out the dishes and things that she’s loaning us. About the time the first guests start pulling into the long driveway, Sam and Paul appear from the back of the house looking distinctly more disheveled than they were earlier. Now I know why we took pictures right after the ceremony. I can’t blame them. I would have done the same – will do the same. I’m looking forward to asking Lee to marry me. I’ll wait until it’s not so crazy soon, but I’m already excited about it. And I have no doubt he’ll say yes.

Thinking about the future makes me want some alone time with my man too, so as soon as there’s a break in his duties, I take his hand and drag him around the side of the house.

“I just wanted to kiss you for a minute,” I tell him, pulling him against me.

He bats at my arms playfully. “You’re going to mess up my makeup.”

I kiss him thoroughly anyway. “You don’t actually mind,” I tell him.

“Well,” he says smiling at me, “Now I certainly don’t.”

“I love you,” I tell him. “One of these days this will be us.” It’s the first time I’ve actually said the words right out like that.

Lee hasn’t teared up yet today, but now he does. “I love you too. And when you ask, and you better ask, you know I’ll say yes.” He leans in for a kiss but then his eyes go wide, and his mouth drops open. I know that look. I spin around in time to catch Henry’s head in my hands instead of my crotch. The force bumps me into Lee, and he hits the side of the house, but thankfully we both stay upright. I’m laughing so hard that I can barely keep ahold of Henry, and Lee is laughing along with me.

Once, we are sufficiently recovered, he goes back to keep the schedule on track, and I go around the side of the house where the party isn’t to walk Henry back to the goat pen. I grin at the goat as I tie the latch he destroyed back together with rope.

“Good thing I have you to keep me on my toes,” I tell him. “You’ve given me all the practice I need to handle chaos and unpredictability. You and I both know that Lee with never be tame.” I can’t keep the smile off my face as I walk back to the party.

The yard has really filled up with people. It looks like the whole town is here. I run into Brett Andrews, who works with Sam at the sheriff's office, and his little girl dancing at the edge of the yard. I’m surprised to see him. I know he and Sam get along, but his parents are like Westboro Baptist Church-level psycho Christians, and I can’t imagine they’d be okay with him being here. He was in school with me, and he seemed pretty decent. I’m glad he’s broken away from their crazy, at least a little.

“Hi Hank,” Brett greets me, smiling.

“Hey,” I reply, and he gets a huge grin.

“I’ve never heard you talk before!” he exclaims. Then he pauses and his face falls, “I’m sorry, was that an asshole thing to say? You just look way happier than I’ve ever seen you, and I thought the talking thing might be getting better.”

“It’s all good,” I tell him. “I’ve been working on it, and it’s paying off. I’m glad to see you here.”

“Oh yeah,” he says. “Sam’s an awesome guy to work with and Paul’s a kick. They’re sure good together.”

“Have a good time,” I tell him, “You have a great dance partner.” Brett and his little girl give me similar smiles and go back to their dancing. Now there’s something I never thought about before. Does Lee want kids? Do I? What if I’m like my parents? I can physically feel the panic rising up in me. I look around frantically for Lee and catch his eye across the dance floor. That’s enough to break the rise. By the time he makes his way over to me, the panic is already receding. We can talk about it later, and deal with it then. Right now I’m going to enjoy my almost-brother’s wedding and dance with the love of my life.

Epilogue – Lee

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