Page 8 of After Hours

“Can I take you out?” When he stayed silent for a bit too long, I shrugged. “I mean, I got the impression you were family, and you’re cute as hell, so I thought…”

“Family?” He genuinely looked confused, and my heart sank. Maybe he wasn’t out or… No, no way he wasn’t gay or bi or something with the way we flirted before. He couldn’t take his eyes off my abs long enough to say two sentences.

“Yeah. Rainbow family? LGBTQ+? Or am I way off base somehow?” No one ever accused me of being shy. “I’m gay, and I’m attracted to you, and I’d like to take you out if you’re down for that kinda thing.” I flashed my best smile.

Oscar’s cheeks turned a delicious, adorable shade of pink, but he didn’t drop his gaze. “Yes.” He twisted his fingers in the bottom of his Camp Rocky Cove t-shirt. “Yes, I’d like that.”

I yanked open the truck door and leaned in to grab my phone. Was he checking out my ass? I hoped so. All the rock climbing made it pretty damn nice. At least that’s what guys had told me in the past. “Give me your number,” I said when I hopped down again.

Texts exchanged and final smiles shared, I sighed and climbed back into the driver’s seat. “I have to get back to work, and you probably do too. I’ll text you, Oscar.”

He smiled up at me. “I can’t wait.”

After winding my way back and forth through the rest of my delivery route, I got home about an hour later than usual. I had to promise pastries for the break room to calm my coworkers down. At least I could go back to my normal route the next daynow that I had Oscar’s number and didn’t have to skulk around town hoping to run into him.

Wyatt sat outside on the back patio, his old laptop sitting on the rickety metal table, while Sugar sniffed around through the fallen leaves. He cradled his hurt arm in his lap. A cup of coffee sat half-drunk next to an empty plate. The dark circles under his eyes warred with the tense set of his mouth, but there was nothing I could do to make things any better. I’d been trying for years. At least now it seemed he was ready to fight through it himself.

I gave him a quick hello and a pat on his good shoulder before disappearing into my bedroom. I changed into flannel PJ pants, a thermal, and thick socks, before crawling under my blankets. Sugar showed up a few minutes later to curl up near my feet. My brother better not interrupt naptime today. I had something really good to dream about.

Chapter 5

Oscar

I’d never been on a date before. Zane would pick me up in thirty minutes, and I still had no clue what to wear or how to act or what to think or… I took a deep breath and flopped down on the edge of the bed. Ezra, a second-string cello player in the high school orchestra, sure hadn’t asked me out on a date. We kissed and fumbled around a few times in the arts hallway after classes. Sam Lindquist’s idea of a date was getting me alone long enough to get his hand into my pants. I was twenty-two years old, and I’d never been on a date.

Kisses, sure. Did plenty of touching, rubbing, handjobs, and other stuff, but never actually went out with another man in public.Never had sex either.My brain wouldn’t let go of any ofthe nerves, it seemed. What if Zane thought I was boring? What if he only wanted to have sex and I didn’t know what to do?

“Oh, stop it!” Bandit looked up at me from the spot he’d claimed at the end of my bed. I finally gave up on the unanswerable questions and pulled on my favorite dark-wash jeans, a white long-sleeve tee, and my chunky gray cardigan. “You’ve watched plenty of porn, Oscar. You can figure it out.” I’d masturbated enough to know what I liked, too.

I took out my favorite bracelet, the one with the Dara Celtic knot I carved out of a scrap of black marble. I tightened the leather laces around my wrist and pushed my sleeves up partway. My wallet, phone, and keys slid into my pocket, and I headed downstairs for my shoes.

Carter sat on one of the stools with his back against the kitchen island, and Finn loomed over him. One hand clutched the back of his neck, and his lips were glued to Carter’s mouth. When I dropped my second shoe accidentally, they drew apart and looked over at where I hopped around like an idiot.

“You need anything? Extra cash? Condoms?” Finn shifted to lean against the island next to Carter, his hand still resting on his partner’s nape.

Carter shook his head and smacked Finn lightly on the chest. “Don’t embarrass your nephew, Finn. I’m sure he has everything he needs for his date with Zane.”

The almost parental comments and smiles affected me more than I wanted to admit. My own parents sure wouldn’t act like this if they knew I was going out with a man. “I’m good. Well, a little nervous, but good.”

Finn’s smile grew softer and lost its teasing tinge. “Zane’s a good guy. You’ll have a great time, I’m sure.” Then he tipped his head and crossed his arms over his chest. “But you know that if you need to, you can call either of us at any time, right?”

“I know.” For the first time in my life, I knew that if I needed someone to come when I called, they would. “See you both later.”

Zane’s Subaru idled at the end of the parking lot, and he waved out the window when I hurried over to get into the passenger seat. I’d promised myself that I wouldn’t act like an immature, inexperienced idiot. I’d totally embrace my newfound, adult freedom. “Hi, Zane.” I didn’t have a chance to smile before he turned, and I saw the side of his face.

“Oh my gosh! What happened to you? Are you okay?” He had a brutal black eye and bruises and scrapes down the side of his face.

Zane smiled, cringed, then tried on a smaller smile that looked like it hurt less. “Yeah, I’m good.” He put the car in gear and headed for the exit. “I slipped a little when climbing this afternoon.”

“Climbing what? You look like you went a few rounds with a gorilla or something.”

He looked both ways before pulling out onto the empty road and shot another lighthearted look in my direction. “Nah. I’m not a fighter. I rock climb. Went out with a couple of friends earlier today after work and lost a handhold. Bashed my face on the rock pretty good.”

The casual way he spoke of such exciting, dangerous things made me feel even more unsure about this whole dating thing. Would he expect me to climb up a cliff with him? “Where are we going on this date anyway?” When he raised his eyebrows at me, I stammered on. “Not that this is a date. I mean, you asked me out, but maybe this isn’t what you’d call a date.” I sighed, shut up, and looked out at the bright trees rolling by. “I hope I’m dressed okay.” The idea of going rock-climbing in a cardigan was ridiculous, almost more so than the thought of me rock-climbing at all.

“You look great, Oscar.” His gaze felt like a physical touch for the second it scanned my face and sweater. “I packed a picnic and thought we could just chat and get to know each other. I almost planned a nice restaurant outing, but I don’t want to scare the other diners.” He pointed at his face before turning a corner away from the center of town. “As far as I’m concerned, this is a date. Our first date.”

The implication that there’d be more in the future warmed me to my toes.

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