9. Ash

Chapter nine

Ash

" O h my gosh, Joshua. This is so freaking cool. We're traveling by train! I've never been on a train before." I peer out the window at the brown field rolling by. "Okay, so the view isn't the best right now, but it's still freaking cool."

When Drake told me we had the option to travel by car, train, or a really short airplane trip, I begged for the train option. I thought it would be a fun way to still get in that travel time together while not worrying about getting tired behind the wheel.

Joshua chuckles over the phone. "I can't believe you get to go to Chibico World before me."

"Right? Drake is the best. This trip was a complete surprise. I still can't believe he gave up his winery trip for me."

Joshua lets out a dreamy sigh. "Drake would do anything to make you happy."

I smile. "I'm starting to get that." The past two weeks have flown by. Drake and I found ourselves in a rhythm of sorts, with us waking up and making breakfast together before he headed off to work. Around the time I've spent on my art, I've been applying for jobs. Once I started drawing and painting again, I realized how much I missed it and how much I needed my art in my life.

One day, after sitting down to dinner with Drake, we agreed I wouldn't apply for a job I hate just because it's in my field, I'd rather work somewhere part time and focus on looking for a dream job while starting up art commissions. Ironically, I've earned more from commissioning my painting skills and drawings this past week than I ever did with two weeks of work. Drake has a ton of connections through his job and knows all kinds of people who need things as simple as logos for branding, to fun things like character art for authors.

A crinkling sound filters through the phone as Joshua multitasks on the other end. "So, are you two together now?"

I squirm in my seat, smoothing my hands across the tabletop in front of me. The slight vibration of the train rumbling under my feet. "I think so?" I wince as soon as the words come out. "If I had to guess, then maybe?"

Joshua laughs. "Okay, what does that even mean?"

"It means we spend all our time together in and out of bed. When he isn't at work, we're together. Sometimes he takes care of me in my little space, other times I'm big and we're playing video games cooking, or going to the gym together. He even took me to his favorite batting cages, and we had a blast. I don't know, Joshua, it's similar to when we were friends, only a million times better because he's…he's my everything."

"You sound really happy."

"I am. I just don't want to put any labels on it until he's ready, you know? He's already my Daddy, my best friend, and my lover. Why push to call him more?"

"Ew, don't call Drake your lover. I'm shuddering over here. I'm already preparing myself to see you two kiss. But picturing you two making love? Yeah, hon, no thank you."

I giggle. "Drake is my lover . My love-errr ."

"Ew. La-la-la . Where is he, anyway?"

"He's grabbing us drinks at their food station. How cool is it that they have a little café on board?"

"You are so easily entertained," Joshua says, laughter in his voice.

A throat clears, and I jump. Drake is standing there holding out an iced latte in a plastic to-go cup. My cheeks burn when I look up at him. Oh fuck. Did he hear me call him my lover? I chew on my thumb.

"Is that Drake? Hand the phone over to him. I need to give him a piece of my mind."

"What?" I squeak. "Why do you need to talk to him?"

Drake arches a brow.

"It's Joshua," I whisper.

"It's okay, little one. Let me talk to him." Drake places my coffee on the table in front of me and holds out his hand, wiggling his fingers.

"You better behave," I say to Joshua.

Drake plucks the phone out of my loose grip and places a kiss on the top of my head. The subtle scent of sweet citrus surrounds me, reminding me of waking up in Drake's arms this morning. He smirks. "Thanks, lover ."

I groan, burying my face in my hands, my whole body on fire. "Seriously?"

He walks down the aisle, so he's only a few seats down from ours as he casually walks back and forth while chatting and laughing on the phone. The three of us were so close while we were growing up. I wonder how weird it is for Joshua that Drake and I are now together. If the tables were flipped, I would be pissed.

Drake is mine.

He peers over at me with a soft smile and I swear my insides melt.

When he finally returns, he hands me my phone. "Joshua had to get going, but told me to tell you he loves you and will see us soon."

I brighten. "He will?"

Drake nods. "Yeah. I miss the guy, too. We haven't seen him much since he got married last year."

"Do you think he'll be weirded out to see us together?"

Drake wraps an arm around me. "No, baby boy. He's just happy that we, and I quote, ‘ finally got our heads out of our asses. '"

"I think there's something going on with Joshua and his husband," I admit. "I hope he's okay."

"Yeah, I get the same impression, but I told him we were both here for him, and that our door is always open."

I smile. "Our door."

"Yes, Ash." He smiles back, squeezing my thigh. "Ours."

I love the sound of that.

The next several hours flash by. The train ride was even more magical than I could have imagined. The view along the California coast was stunning. Drake told me that he books several trips a year for couples to take trips up and down the coast just for the scenery.

At one point, Drake surprised me by pulling out a few of my favorite coloring books and a set of new coloring pencils with unique colors. I swear the man is trying to spoil me into not leaving him. Well, the joke's on him; I fell for the guy before he started spoiling me with gifts. Really, he doesn't need to try so hard.

Since there weren't that many people on the train, we had our own private section and table, so I easily fell into my little space. I didn't necessarily need to de-stress or anything, I just got to enjoy being little, while riding on a train and coloring with my Daddy.

The train finally makes it to our destination, and I swing my legs back and forth as I look out the window. "Daddy! We're here." I might have said that a little too loud because a few heads turn our way and I blush.

Drake just squeezes my knee lightly under the table and offers me a sweet smile. "Sure are, little one. You ready?"

"Yes!" I cheer.