Page 6 of Out in the Country

HANK: You’re like one message away from me handing my phone to my wife so she can do this with you

EVERETT: Stop messin’ around—I don’t want to mess this up

HANK: You’ll never be happy if you don’t go after him

HANK: And I’d love if you stopped moping around the garage

Hank Thayer,man of few encouraging words, is my boss at The Rusty Fender in Clementine Creek. His wife is his exact opposite. Outwardly, they don’t look like they’d work, but that would be dead wrong. His ruggedly handsome features somehow complement her grace and sophistication.

Hayden and I went to school with Hank’s twin brothers, Otto and Case, and their sister-in-law Marlee. The family is big and loud but fierce as hell, and with the exception of Otto wanting to rip my face off for dancing with Fallon, they’d been nothing but amazing to me. In a small town, everyone knows everyone elseandtheir business, but Clementine Creek is all the best stereotypes, and the Thayers are no different.

HANK: Also Rhea and Sorren will be there

EVERETT: Oh good an audience

HANK: You know they have your back if things go sideways

EVERETT: Sideways?? You said this was going to be fine

HANK: Stop bein’ dramatic. I said IF

EVERETT: This is serious

HANK: That’s why I told Sorren to keep an eye on you guys

EVERETT: That’s terrifying

HANK: It’s going to be fine

EVERETT: Thanks man—was that so hard?

HANK: Are we done bonding now?

EVERETT: Yeah. Thanks for the pep talk

HANK: Thank fuck. Also you’re welcome and good luck

I refrainfrom adding a comment about Isla making him soft because dude is still scary most days of the week. Not like Sorren-scary but still moody and mostly unapproachable.

A knock on the window startles me, and I roll it down and accept the tray Hayden hands me. He hops into the passenger seat, and I hand it back like we’ve done a thousand times.

Moments like this one settle the nerves forming in my stomach over telling my best friend I’m in love with him. He’s never asked me to be anyone but myself, and while I can’t remember the exact moment I realized I’m gay, I’ll never forget the feeling of peace that washed over me.

Hayden has always felt like coming home, and I guess part of me always knew. It’s why I never wanted to settle down with any of the girls I’d dated.

“Did you know that Rhea and Sorren will be there this weekend?”

“Yeah, Hank told me,” I say.

Hayden blinks at me and then narrows his eyes.

“What?” I ask.

“You don’t think that’s weird?” he asks suspiciously.

“What’s weird?”

He huffs as he syncs his phone to the Bluetooth and “Eight Second Ride” by Jake Owen plays through the speakers.

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