Page 80 of The Road Home
"I know you will, but even if you don't, it's okay." He wouldn't leave Jared for being scared.
They drove in silence to the restaurant. Orson watched the roads and the buildings, still trying to learn the layout of the area. If this was going to be his home, he needed to know how to get around.
He smiled, thinking how he'd almost not come to Utah. He feared the cold winters being on the streets, but hoped that by the time snow hit, he would be off them and in a program. He could never have dreamed of being where he was now. He owed it all to Jared, and he wasn't going to ever forget what he'd done for him. He'd changed his life in so many ways.
"Hope you're hungry. They serve a ton." Jared took Orson's hand as they walked away from the car and onto the sidewalk.
Orson noticed Jared glancing around nervously, but he never let go of his hand. "I'm starving."
There was a small crowd waiting outside the restaurant, but once they put their name on the waiting list, the line seemed to thin fast. As they sat on a small bench, waiting, Orson was surprised that Jared continued to hold his hand and even once leaned in to kiss his cheek.
It was a nice change, one that he hoped was going to be the new normal. The tension and nervousness were still there. It was in the way Jared watched the people around them, and the slight tension in his shoulders, but in time, hopefully that would ease.
Once inside, they got a booth, and again, Jared surprised him by sitting beside him instead of on the other side of the table. "I could get used to this." Orson leaned slightly against Jared.
"Me too. It's nice to not have to let you go." Jared looked around. "I still feel like everyone is watching our every move."
"They aren't. No one is even looking." Orson opened the menu. "So, what's good?
They spent over an hour eating, and by the time they were finally walking into the symphony, Orson was so excited. This was what his dream had been for so long. He wanted to walk into a place like this, but not to watch. He wanted to be up on the stage, playing and performing for a crowd. He wanted to feel the music he played.
As they took their seats, Orson looked around, watching the crowd come in. "It's beautiful here."
"It is. I've only been here once before."
"I'd come every night if I could."
"Maybe we should look into getting season tickets."
Orson shook his head. "Won't work with the jobs we have, but I'd like to come when we can." He pointed to the stage. "That's where I'd be sitting if I still played." He didn't even try to hide the confidence he had that he would be on stage. If he'd kept playing, he was sure that he would have made it far.
Jared wrapped his arm around him, but the second the couple next to them glared at them, Jared pulled his arm back and shifted farther away from Orson.
Orson glared back, reaching over and gently resting his hand on Jared's leg. He'd come too far in his life to let some older couple ruin their night and try and make them feel as if being in love was wrong. He didn't allow his parents to do it, he wouldn't let strangers.
"Ignore them. They look like they've forgotten what love is," Orson said loud enough for the older couple to hear.
The woman huffed as she rolled her eyes at them, but she did turn away and focus on something in the other direction.
Jared took a deep breath, glancing around them again before slowly moving his hand to cover Orson's on his leg.
They stayed that way most of the night as they watched the performance. Orson was lost in the music, imagining the notes and that he was the one sitting up there playing for everyone. Several of the songs he still knew by heart, and had to keep himself from ghosting the actions of playing them as they enjoyed the music.
When it was over, Orson was on top of the world. "That was amazing." He wrapped his arm around Jared's waist as they walked toward the car.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it." Jared smiled. "I did too." He nodded down the road to a shop. "Ice cream?"
"Actually, I'd rather go home. We have ice cream there." Orson wanted to be alone with Jared. He'd given him a gift tonight, and now he wanted to return the favor. Up until now, they'd avoided sex. They played around plenty, but he really wanted to see if he was able to relax and put the past behind him enough to be with Jared the way they were meant to. "I'd rather it just us."
"Okay, something wrong?" Jared glanced over at him with a worried look.
"No, in fact, everything is perfect. I just want you to myself." He slid his hand to the small of Jared's back, not daring to move it farther down, but hoping it would send enough of a message.
"A you and me naked in bed by ourselves night?" Jared lowered his voice as he spoke.
Orson nodded. "That was kind of what I was hoping for."
"I'm up for that." Jared clicked the locks on the car open. He paused to open the door for Orson, leaning down once he'd slid in to give him a soft kiss. "I had a great time tonight."
