Page 82 of Relief Pitcher

“Ty, the deejay wants to talk to you,” one of Ty’s older relatives called from the barn.

“Be right there!” Ty called. “We’ll catch up later, yeah? Will you at least stay at Dom’s tonight?” Ty sounded so hopeful. I imagined that was what he was like as a kid, begging his mom to let Gavin stay for a sleepover.

“Shit. Wait.” He looked at me and bit his lip.

Before he could cancel the offer, I interrupted. “Of course Gavin should stay with you tonight. We’ll hang out later.” I could drive home instead of staying at Ty’s again tonight. I wouldn’t feel right about keeping him from Gavin.

Ty’s eyes widened. “Are you sure?”

“Of course. You two have a lot of catching up to do.”

He smiled, gave Gavin another hug, then rushed off.

“I’d better start making my rounds. It’s great to meet you, Cooper. I get why Ty likes you. You’re good for him.”

“He’s good for me too.”

Gavin turned toward the house where Seth, Dom, and Ethan were unloading the kegs.

“Well, if it isn’t little Sethy.”

Seth had lifted a keg off the bed of the truck and was in the middle of lowering it onto the hand truck when he glanced up. The keg slid through his arms and seemed to land on his foot.

Gavin and I rushed over.

“Jesus, are you okay?” Gavin crouched and examined Seth’s Chucks-clad foot.

Seth stared at Gavin, his mouth hanging open, and then he tried to pick the keg back up but hissed. “I’m fine.”

“You’re still a klutz.”

Seth mumbled something I couldn’t make out.

“I’ll check out his foot. Summer camp counselor first aid training is still up here.” Gavin tapped his temple before wrapping his arm around Seth’s waist. “Let’s go.”

Seth made a strangled sound but let Gavin walk him to the house.

“That was weird. He deals with glass and heavy stuff every day, and I’ve never seen him drop something,” Ethan said.

Dom shrugged, then lifted the keg like it weighed barely more than a bowling ball and wheeled it to the barn.

I wasn’t sure what to help with, so I headed toward the barn to check in when I ran into Larry and Carolyn.

“Who was that helping Seth?”

“Gavin.”

She gasped. “Gavin’s here?”

I made a jazz-hands motion. “Surprise!”

She pressed a hand against her chest. “Surprise indeed. I’m sure the boys will be quite happy.” She looked at Larry, and they shared a smile.

“Speaking of surprises, do you two have a minute? I’d like to show you something.” This was much harder than when I’d delivered the piece to Ginny because this project meant something to me. I desperately wanted them to like it.

Ty had suggested we do a big reveal during the party, but I didn’t want the attention. It was difficult enough that Ty insisted I be the one to give it to them. I would’ve been happy for Ty to do it on his own and take credit for the idea, but he’d insisted while looking at me with puppy-dog eyes I couldn’t say no to. I was always at my weakest after an orgasm, and Ty had learned that quickly.

I made small talk with them about the food Caleb’s crew had catered for the party while we walked over to the spot. The sheet looked like a mess. I totally should’ve ironed it.

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