Page 43 of Daily Grind
“When you said you grew up in Bloomfield, I didn’t think you meantright here.” Rob pointed at his feet and mounted his bike.
“Well, more down there than here, though we roamed all over. Bloomfield isn’tthatbig a neighborhood.”
Rob looked back at the house. “I kind of gutted it.” A hint of nervousness in his voice. “Hope I didn’t kill any of your childhood memories.” He strapped his helmet on.
“I doubt it. Was very seventies inside. Figured anyone who bought it would do that. Outside looks great.”
“Thanks. Though it was more like very sixties.”
He chuckled. “I’ll give you that.” Mrs. Kaminski had been stuck in an era. “Ready to go?”
“Lead on.”
Brian pushed off and led Rob through Bloomfield and down into the city until they got to the bike and walking trail that ran along the river. Nice day to be out, which meant for a good portion of the ride they rode single file, and took care not to startle the walkers and runners. The trail widened up at Point State Park, and Rob moved next to him.
“I never get over that.” He nodded at the fountain.
It was pretty impressive. A 150-foot plume of water shooting straight into the sky. Brian slowed. “Wanna stop for a bit?”
Rob nodded and they did. “Do they pull the water from the river?” He tipped his head back and shielded his eyes from the sun.
“Nope. There’s a fourth river underneath.”
“Really?” Rob lowered his hand. “You’re not taking the piss are you?”
Ah, there was a true Britishism. Brian gave him his best cheesy smile. “Look it up sometime. There’s a glacial aquifer.”
From that dubious expression, he had no doubt Rob would. It was a wonder he didn’t whip his phone out right there.
Rob shifted on his bike seat and took off his helmet. “I’ve read they do fireworks down here on your holiday.” He fiddled with the straps.
“You mean the one where we celebrate kicking British ass?”
Rob’s reply was dry, but came with a smile. “That would be the one.”
“Yeah, they do. It’s a madhouse, but worth seeing at least once.” He looked out over the river. “We should come down for them.” He spoke softly. A chance, to suggest an event like that months in the future.
The sound of Rob’s bike moving closer. Fingers cupped his neck. “I’d like that.”
He turned and met Rob’s kiss. It was fairly chaste as kisses went—lingering, but not devouring. Still, it put more desire and heat into his body than any of the others had.
They were truly dating. Not a one-night stand. Not a trial thing—no. Long-term. Into the future.
In his bones, he felt that potential. A joining of histories. In the taste on his lips, the way Rob smiled at him, the lift of his red hair in the wind and the trace of freckles across Rob’s nose.
He couldn’t breathe for what thatmeant. This wasn’t what he’d anticipated when Rob had walked into his shop, but here he was, falling and falling and falling.
“What’s the matter?” Rob brushed a thumb over his cheek.
“Nothing. Just… heavy thoughts.” So many.
Something in Rob’s expression shifted. “Good ones?”
“Yeah.” He breathed the word out.
Rob’s smile warmed Brian’s soul. He nodded at the trail. “Shall we keep going then?” Rob strapped his helmet back on.
“Yes.” For as long as this path took them together. He wanted to ride forever.
