Chapter Sixteen

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Vince

H e'd called Colby baby. It had taken Vince a while to realize it. They were naked and covered in sweat and cum, Colby lying beside him, and it hit him. He called people he cared about babe. He did it with Colby, with Holden, but earlier a baby had slipped out, and that was…not normal for him. Vince didn't know where it had come from or if Colby had even realized it. If he had, he would say something, right? Vince didn't want Colby to think it meant something it didn't. He knew Colby's boundaries, and he had the same ones.

"That was fun," Colby said from beside him, which made Vince grin.

"You're fun," he countered because it was true. Being with Colby was always fun.

Colby scoffed.

Vince rolled onto his side, leaning on his elbow with his head in his hand. "What? It's true. Being around you makes me smile, makes me feel better. Earlier I was having a shitty day because Greg called. Working in the garden helped to clear my head, but then you came around and really made me forget how upset I'd been."

"Wait. What? Gregory called you?" Colby turned to look at him, something in his eyes Vince couldn't read. "What did he want?"

Vince sighed, for a moment wishing he hadn't said anything, but then, he wanted to share this with Colby. It always helped. "Hell, I can't even say. He said he called to tell me he's getting married and to apologize about how badly he's treated me."

"Do you believe him?"

"Does it matter? It won't change how I feel about him. I can't ever forgive him." Maybe Vince should be the bigger man, but he didn't want to be. Fuck Greg. He'd be happy if he never had to see Gregory again. But then, he still couldn't deny the part of him that focused on the little voice in his head that said, It must be something wrong with you. He's in love. He's getting married. What did you do wrong?

"He doesn't deserve you." Colby tentatively reached out and brushed the back of his hand against Vince's cheek. It was so sweet, so intimate, like he wasn't sure if he should do it but wanting to comfort Vince at the same time.

"I know that. I do. Most of the time, but…" But what? He couldn't figure out how to finish that without it sounding as if he wanted Greg back, and he didn't. As if he still loved Greg, and that wasn't the case either. He could never love someone who had been as cruel to him as Greg had. Vince just didn't have it in him.

"I get it," Colby said without Vince having to explain. "I think, at least, because I feel the same about Lulu and the other women I've dated. I don't love Lulu. I don't want to be in a relationship with her, and I want her to be happy, but still, when I see her with her fiancé, it makes me feel…alone. Like there's something wrong with me."

And just like that, everything fell into place. All the mixed-up and random pieces of Vince's feelings became a whole picture, painted by his new closest friend. "How did I know you'd get it? That I wouldn't need the words for it myself because you would have them? Just like earlier when I was still upset and you came around, trying to seduce me, and I instantly felt better."

Colby playfully rolled his eyes. "I'm not sure about seducing."

"That's basically what you did. You dragged me into the shop and tried to have your way with me."

" Dragged is a pretty strong word." Colby chuckled, then added, "But I did want to have my way with you."

"You and me both."

"I'm sorry he upset you today, and I'm sorry about everything he put you through. I don't really understand how I help, but I'm glad I do."

There wasn't a part of Vince that didn't believe Colby really thought that way, that he didn't see how incredible he was. It wasn't because of any kind of mistreatment. It wasn't because he didn't have a loving and supportive family, even if they were imperfect and sometimes said and did the wrong things. Sometimes certain things about people were just engrained in who they were. And for whatever reason, Colby didn't see that he was one of the best people Vince had ever known, one of the best people most would ever know. "What am I going to do with you, Colby Covington?" He brushed the hair back from Colby's forehead.

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing. I just like you a whole lot, is all."

Colby was quiet for a moment, and Vince couldn't help wondering if he'd gone too far. If what he'd said had made Colby uncomfortable. Maybe he thought Vince was going to start pushing for more. He wouldn't, but a part of him he hadn't realized was there until tonight wished the situation were different. Wished he could trust himself to fall for someone, wished Colby wanted a relationship too because the two of them were really fucking good together. If Vince let himself, he could fall for Colby, and that was a scary truth.

He would never flip the script on Colby now, wouldn't say anything to make Colby feel like there was pressure on him to be someone other than who he'd told Vince he was, someone who, like Vince, didn't want a relationship. And Vince still didn't…right? No. He wouldn't allow it. He could never risk what he and Colby had.

"I like you a whole lot too," Colby finally answered, his voice soft but steady. He looked away, rolled onto his back, as if needing them to take a step back. Honestly, Vince would be smart to do that too, so he changed the subject.

"Before you saved the day, when I was working with the vegetables, I was thinking again about how much I love it. Growing fruits and vegetables, nurturing them…it feels strangely important."

"It is important, and you're good at it. I don't love it like I should."

"Shit. I didn't mean that. I wasn't trying to make you—"

"I know. You didn't. I just thought about it, is all. I love the farm and always will, but I really don't think it's my dream."

Colby wanted to brew beer. There wasn't a doubt in Vince's mind about that.

"Anyway, what were you saying?" Colby asked.

"Nothing really. I just think when I move out of here, I'm going to look for a house with some land of my own. Nothing like the farm, of course. Smaller and closer to what you have. I'd love to have some gardens of my own." Saying it made Vince's pulse speed up, solidifying how much he really did want that. How excited he was about the idea of it.

"Are you going to look for a place now?" Colby asked, surprising him. That wasn't how he'd expected Colby to respond.

"Do you want me to look for a place now?"

"What? No. That's not what I was saying at all. I don't know why I asked that. It's silly. At some point, of course, you're going to get your own place. It's not like we'll live together forever."

No, they probably wouldn't, and the thought of that, despite his happiness from a moment ago, sat like an anchor in Vince's gut. It made him feel sad and maybe a little lonely.

"Well, it's not like I'll go far. I enjoy annoying you so much."

"You're good at it too," Colby countered. They were both quiet for a moment, and Vince couldn't help wondering what Colby was thinking. He couldn't help wondering how they got here or what the future held. "I'm tired," Colby finally said.

"Yeah, me too." Vince rolled over and turned out the light, and then…then Colby scooted closer, rested his head on Vince's chest, and Vince wrapped an arm around him and held him.

The two of them fell asleep that way, sated and comfortable.

"Hey, Vince. Wake up." Colby's voice sounded far off, but Vince knew that's because he'd been asleep.

His eyes fluttered open slowly. Colby was sitting on the side of the bed, fully dressed. He could tell it was almost time for them to get up for work just by the lighting outside, but Colby looked like he'd been up for hours.

"What is it? Is everything okay?" His heart damn near stopped beating for a moment.

"No. I mean, yes. Sorry. Everything is fine. I just…" He shook his head, eyes closed. "I'm just an idiot and wanted to show you something. Now that it's happening, I'm feeling pretty dumb."

Oh. Again, not what he'd expected, but he trusted Colby had his reasons. "Well, it must be important."

"No, it's actually not. I just couldn't sleep, got up early, and got excited for some reason. It can wait until later."

But Vince didn't want to wait until later. If Colby had woken him up, if he was excited, Vince wanted to share in that excitement with him. Colby might be feeling embarrassed about it now, but there was clearly a reason he'd woken Vince up. "Too bad. I don't want to wait."

Vince playfully nudged Colby out of the way and got up. He washed up real quick, then tugged on clean clothes and headed to the door with Colby. He led Vince to one side of the property where there was a lot of open space, not too far from one of Colby's sheds.

"Ta-da!" Colby held his arms out, and Vince…well, fuck, he didn't get it. It was obvious by the smile on Colby's face that whatever it was, he wanted Vince to be as happy about it too, and he probably would if he knew what the fuck Colby was talking about.

"Sorry, babe, but you'll have to give me a clue. What are you showing me?"

"Your future garden."

His…

"Maybe it doesn't make sense," Colby said, "but hear me out. It's just land. All it's doing is sitting here. It's obvious you enjoy gardening, and since you'll be living here for the near future, you might as well have a place to do it. I realize you'll be getting your own place eventually, but I can help take care of it when you move and, well…well, it will be an excuse for you to come over and visit me often."

Vince chuckled, unsure what to say. "Do you really think I need an excuse?"

"No," Colby said in a steady, honest voice.

"This is sweet…really fucking sweet, but you shouldn't have to take care of it when I move out."

"I don't mind. I'd thought about planting one myself, but I never got around to it. This is the perfect spot. It gets great sunlight. You can make the garden as big or small as you want. The shed is right there for your supplies. There's plenty we can plant right now. I want you to do this. I want you to have it. You've been helping me with the beer and bringing me out of my shell. I want to do something for you too."

It wasn't often that Vince was rendered speechless, but in that moment he was. This was…Christ. Had anyone ever done something this nice for him? Cared about his happiness this way? He wasn't sure if this should feel as big of a deal as it did to him, but he couldn't help it.

"What if you decide Harmony isn't for you and you want to sell?"

He rolled his eyes. "Those are big dreams, but I'm not going anywhere. I'm curious about things, other places, but this is my home, Vince. And even if that wasn't the case, we'd figure it out then. I'm not letting anyone else have your garden."

Vince chuckled.

"Say yes."

"Jesus, you're fucking sweet." Vince grabbed Colby's face with both hands. "Yes," he said, then pressed his lips to Colby's.

He ignored the way his heart sped up.

Ignored the electric current running through his body.

They were friends and nothing more.