Page 100 of From the Ashes
But today, I’m staying busy getting ready for the cookout Phoe and I are hosting. A littlecoming outparty so to speak, to celebrate not having to hide anymore. We’re also celebratingPhoenix being my coach, and my wrist finally being healed enough to allow me back on a horse today.
Even Alexis and Colton are coming…but as soon as I remember that, my nerves dial all the way up. Alexis and I have decided to finally tell Colton the truth about who I am now that we know I’ll be staying close by permanently.
I’d missed Colton when Phoenix and I were out of town—like somehow the physical distance made the emotional distance worse. We’ve been able to get together twice since Phoe and I got back from Wyoming a couple weeks ago, and I knew I wanted them both at our cookout.
In for a penny, in for a pound.I figure if I’ve finally admitted to being gay and the whole world knows, then it’s probably past time for my son to know he’s my son.
It’s been a helluva few months, and I’m ready to have everything, everysinglething, out in the open. Secrets are fucking exhausting, and they only cause more damage the longer you hold on to them. I’m ready to be the version of myself thatIknow and love. And shockingly, that includes being a father.
“Hey, boss, where do you want this set up?” Kevin asks, holding up a set of cornhole boards he dragged out from the barn.
“How many times do I have to tell you? You don’t have to call me that,” I admonish the cubicle-worker-turned-ranch-hand, arching a brow. “You work for Phoenix. Not me.”
Kevin shrugs. “The way I see it, you and Phoenix are a couple, and you both live here, so you’re both my boss.”
“But he’s the one that pays you,” I argue, uncomfortable with the idea of being someone’s boss.
“With all due respect, if I went against your wishes about how something is done on this farm, how well do you think Mr.Harding would react to that?” Kevin asks, a confident smirk on his face.
Not well.
“Fine. You have a point. Put them in front of the oak tree. But stop calling me boss. Walker is fine.”
“You’re damn right he is.” I whip my head around at the sound of Phoenix’s sleep-heavy voice.
“How long have you been standing there?” I ask, my gaze taking in his shirtless torso. God, I love the heat in the south. Warm days can stretch well into November, which means Phoe rarely has a shirt on. My eyes travel lower and I notice he’s sporting an impressive erection in his gym shorts.
Just out here in the open.
For everyone to see.
“Long enough to know my farmhand is quite possibly the smartest one on this property.” Phoenix’s grin tells me he heard the entire exchange.
I roll my eyes. “You invented a skin-safe flame retardant that has saved thousands of lives, so you’ll excuse me if I don’t agree, you literal-fucking-genius.”
Phoenix comes down the steps and crosses the yard to wrap his arms around me, his minty breath filling my mouth as he kisses me.
“I hate waking up to find you out of bed already,” he pouts. I have to admit, Phoenixpoutingis about the cutest fucking thing I’ve ever seen.
“I’m sorry, angel. I didn’t want to wake you because I know you just got in, but someone needed to start getting things ready. The party starts at one, and we both know people will show up well before that.”
Phoenix laughs because he knows I’m right.
Grabbing me by the hand, he yells over his shoulder to Kevin, “Looks great, man! Keep up the good work! We need to,uh…pay some bills before everyone gets here. We’ll be right back!”
A snort escapes. “Pay some bills?”
Phoenix laughs. “Zip it. I just woke up.”
“What the hell is that a euphemism for anyway?”
“You’re about to find out.”
It seems that ever since admitting our feelings and allowing ourselves this relationship, Phoenix refuses to go extended periods of time without touching me. And I’m more than okay with it.
Except right now, it’s ten a.m. and I expect our friends to start showing up within the hour regardless of what time we said the party would start. But as soon as Phoenix slams the front door shut behind me and his hands frantically pull at my shirt, I forget to care about our guests’ impending arrival.
“Phoe, if you get me naked in this foyer, Kevin is going to be scarred for life.” I laugh against his greedy lips as he backs me against the wall.
