Chapter 15

Note to self – Don't get so excited you mess up!

Ryan let his gaze linger, studying the subtle expressions that flitted across Alex's face. Dating a guy wasn't that much different from dating a woman, though it was totally different. The expectation of marriage and then having a baby was gone. They weren't trying to create a family to fulfill some generational expectations. They were doing this to have a life together, not make their great-grandfather's dream of domination come true. Dating Alex would be about them being friends and lovers. It was about them moving forward with life together.

They finished at the diner then headed over to the art gallery. The show was for four local artists. It was a mix of paintings, drawings, and a few mixed-media pieces. There were a lot of landscapes and nature paintings on the walls.

Ryan stopped in front of one of the paintings of mountains that were situated not too far away. The artists seemed to like Ryan's favorite trail because he'd been there and had photos from that location.

"You like?" Alex asked.

Ryan nodded. "Yeah, it's amazing."

Alex nodded. "Do you think it's from around here?"

Ryan chuckled. "I know it is." He pulled out his phone and opened the photo application, finding one of the photos from that spot quickly. "I love that trail."

Alex took the phone, looking from the photo to the painting. "Wow, this is amazing." Alex glanced at him, his eyes narrowed. "Did you paint this?"

Ryan chuckled. "Heck no, I'm not that talented. I can paint a wall or a building, but I can't do that. I took the photo, but that was just a snap-and-click. Anyone could take that photo."

"It's amazing. Beautiful."

"It's a good trail that has a lot of great views and scenic outlooks."

Alex handed Ryan back his phone. "Maybe you could show me the trail sometime."

Ryan was happy they were finding reasons to get together. "That would be great. Since my parents passed, I haven't gone out hiking. I'd love to go with you before the weather turns."

"Oh, I hadn't even thought of that."

"Yeah, the weather in the mountains can be unpredictable. You have to pay close attention to what forecasters are saying and what is coming up. This time of year, it is touch and go."

"After the storm last week, I totally get that the weather can change fast around here."

"That was a wicked storm."

They moved to stand in front of another painting, this one of a ship in a storm. It looked wicked. Ryan rubbed his chin as he stared at the painting.

"Do you like this one?" Alex asked.

Ryan shrugged. "I don't know. It's beautiful and raw, but it also makes me sad. I think it's one of those pieces of art that makes you think."

"What is it making you think?"

Ryan glanced over at Alex and decided he might as well say it to show Alex some of his internal thoughts. "Like I said, it's beautiful and raw. I see anger and hate, but it also makes me sad. It's like we're all the boat, getting swallowed up by the churning swirl of demands on our lives that makes us wonder if we're going to make it. Life is pulling us all down, trying to drown us in an ocean of pain, and we're barely keeping our heads above water. I don't know if I want to be reminded of that every day."

Alex moved a step closer and stared at the painting over Ryan's shoulder, his breath warm on Ryan's neck. That warmth spread lower, down his chest to his cock. He wanted to turn and press his body against Alex and see what happened. But there were a lot of people milling about.

"I can see all of that. I don't know if I could have voiced it."

"Maybe I'm overthinking it."

Alex put his hand on Ryan's shoulder and squeezed. "No, you're not. It's raw and full of emotions. I think you nailed it."

Ryan thought about turning and making a joke about Alex nailing him, but there were too many people around. He moved on to the next painting. This time Alex stood closer and he kind of leaned back against Alex as they discussed the piece of art. For the life of him, he couldn't remember anything he said or what the painting was. All he could think about was the warmth coming off Alex.

Somehow, they made it through the rest of the gallery without him pushing Alex up against the back wall and kissing him like there was no tomorrow.

The sun wasn't so low that it would set soon, but they might have had two hours of sunlight left, which was not enough to go for a hike. However, he didn't want Alex to leave.

"Would you like to come over and we can…" He couldn't think of anything.

Alex's lips tilted up. "I'd love to."

"Follow me. I'm in the truck."

Alex nodded and squeezed Ryan's hand before heading to his car. The drive out to his place took about fifteen minutes. Maybe it was a mistake to invite Alex back here, but he didn't want the date to end.

He stepped from his truck and waited for Alex to stop in the gravel drive next to him. He'd opted to move to the outskirts of town where he had privacy. The house wasn't much, but the land was nice.

"This is cool," Alex said as he stepped from his car.

"The house is small."

"I'm still renting. I don't know where I want to live."

"I'm planning on building. Come this way." Ryan waved him over, and they started moving to a clearing that had been marked off for the foundation.

"Wow, when are you going to put the foundation down?"

"In the next few weeks. Honestly, the death of my parents delayed everything, but this is where I want the house. The back deck will face west so I can watch the sunset."

"That sounds nice."

"I think so. Though I hadn't planned on being the person running the whole business. I'm starting to fall behind as people want to get back to their normal lives and stop taking all the slack. I need to hire more people, but I don't have time to interview people. Work is seriously taking everything I have."

"I feel guilty for taking your whole day."

Ryan turned to Alex and reached up, running his fingers over Alex's stubble. "I needed this. It has been too long since I've been real."

"So if I leaned in and kissed you, would that be real?"

Butterflies took over Ryan's stomach, and he nodded. Time seemed to slow as Alex stepped closer and cupped Ryan's face. His dark eyes seemed intent on learning everything about Ryan. Then Alex closed the distance and his eyes slid closed. Sparks flew as their lips brushed together. They both moaned and took the kiss deeper. Ryan opened for Alex as he shuffled closer.

Their chests were pressed together, their bodies plastered close as Alex slid his hands from Ryan's face down his shoulders and draped them on Ryan's hips. A shiver ran down his back, and his heart rate picked up. He tilted his head, opening more, ready for anything, as his phone buzzed.

They both froze for a moment as the phone continued to vibrate in Ryan's pocket. Reluctantly, he stepped back, sadness filling him. "Just a second," Ryan answered the call, his gaze staying on Alex. "Hello."

"Ryan, it's Denise. I was driving by the store, and someone threw a brick through the window. I'm here with the sheriff now, but you need to come."

Pain sliced through Ryan. Why would someone toss a brick through his windows at the store? Crap, he had to deal with this. "I'll be there."

Alex put his hand on Ryan's shoulder. "I overheard. I'll drive you."

Ryan shook his head. "No, that's not necessary."

"Of course it is. I'm going with you and helping you deal with it. You stayed with me last week in the clinic, and I'm standing by your side for this."

Ryan couldn't hold back and wrapped Alex in a hug. "Thank you."

"Of course. Let's go. We can take my car."

Ryan shook his head. "No, I might need the bed of the truck so I can get some sheets of plywood."

"Makes sense. I'll drive your truck."

Ryan chuckled. "I'm really okay to drive, but it would be nice to have you there."

"I'll be there for you."

The transition from the warmth of potential romance to the chill of reality was stark as they approached the sporting goods store. A breeze played with the police tape that cordoned off the scene, mocking their arrival. Ryan's breath caught at the sight of glass glittering like ice on the pavement.

"Damn it." The words were just a whisper torn away by the wind, but they carried the weight of Ryan's disappointment and anger. Why had someone done this? Was it random, or had someone targeted him? Their dad had warned that if anyone saw Brett being gay in town, they would face retribution, but Ryan didn't want to believe someone would attack just because he'd gone out on a date with Alex. Could his relationship really hurt the business? He didn't want to lose the store, but he didn't want to lose Alex, either.