Page 45 of Daily Grind
Brian’s eyes danced and he took Rob’s soul with another touch of his lips. “The ride,” he said. “At least for now.”
That would be a bit more interesting, given how hard he’d become. “Then let’s go.”
At least he wasn’t the only one sporting a bulge. Brian pushed off and began pedaling. Rob followed. He didn’t need to, the trail being what it was, but he enjoyed not having to lead for a change. Too much of that in his daily life.
Besides, couldn’t beat the view of Brian’s back and arse.
They rode down a long stretch of trail and past a waterpark before they reached the Waterfront complex.
Andcomplexit was. Buildings and cars and bits of old industrial equipment. He recognized pieces from their tour of the Carrie Furnace site. “How much of this area were mills?”
Brian sat back on his bike, coasting along. “Pretty much all of it. If it was flat, it was a mill or rail lines or both. Kind of amazing to look at old photos. So much has changed, but some things haven’t at all.”
That described Rob’s life to aT. But Brian was changing that life, with every minute and hour, and smile.
Rob’s cheeks hurt from grinning. He put his head down and followed Brian.
* * *
Brian ledRob down the trail until they reached a break that led into the shopping area. There, they slowed, dismounted and walked their bikes into the little village-like part. The tidy and faux environment of The Waterfront was at odds with the rest of Homestead. Brian had never quite gotten used to it.
“Oh look,” Rob deadpanned. “A Starbucks.”
Brian raised an eyebrow. “Don’t even think it.”
Rob grinned back. “Oh, come on. Don’t you ever go in and order for the hell of it?”
“Do you have any idea what would happen if I were caught by one of my customers?” He’d never ever hear the end of it. Bad enough someone once saw him drinking coffee at Eat n’ Park, even if itwaswith a slice of pie.
“Hmm.” Rob eyed the shop. “A chewing-out?”
“Yup.” He led them around to the back of the shop. In a tiny garden, benches circled a concrete water fountain. “I mean, hats off to them for making fancy coffees common. Wouldn’t have my shop if they hadn’t turned the whole country into junkies, but…”
“Not going to sleep with the competition, as it were?”
Brian laughed and took Rob’s hand. “Exactly. I’d much rather sleep with you.” Those cheeks. That smile. His head whirled.
Rob laced his fingers with Brian’s. “You’re lovely, you know.”
“My former girlfriends would disagree.” Well, maybe not. But they’d all called him a thoughtless asshole at some point, which wasn’t entirely incorrect.
They parked their bikes next to one of the benches. “You’ve mentioned them before,” Rob said. “To be honest, I’m not sure why you haven’t been snatched up by some woman. Or man.”
“You mean married?”
Rob nodded.
Brian sighed, a knot forming in his gut. He sat. “Mostly, the shop. Sometimes we realized we weren’t compatible and broke it off early, but the ends of my long-term relationships come back to the shop.” He pulled out his water bottle from its holder and sipped. “Married to Grounds N’at.” That’s what Anita had said.
Rob lowered himself next to Brian. “Ever get close?”
A flash of pain and he flinched. “Yeah. Anita. She was—” He let out a breath. “Smart. Talented. Sexy.” The pain lingered, along with the loss. They’d had something.
Rob squeezed his thigh and it was a comfort. “What happened?”
He chewed on that question, turning events over in his mind. The good times, the fights. The way he dismissed her when he was too busy. He’d never put all the thoughts about their breakup together before. “I let her go.” He couldn’t quite keep the sadness out of his voice.
Another squeeze from Rob. His expression was open and sympathetic.
