Chapter Twenty-One

After spending all weekend waking up without an alarm, with Travis snuggled close to him, the incessant beeping seemed foreign to his brain. Jaron groaned and pulled Travis' hand up his chest to his ear, using it to block out the sound.

Travis took his hand away, and his body moved over Jaron just long enough to shut off the alarm. They both settled when the quiet surrounded them again.

He'd always fallen asleep fast, never one to linger awake for even a few minutes once his head hit the pillow. More often than not, he ended up roaming the house at all hours of the early morning. With Travis in bed with him, he'd learned to like lingering.

Lips brushed against his hair. Jaron smiled without opening his eyes.

"What do you say we play hooky and lie in bed all day? We can make Jackson bring us food," Travis said into his hair.

"Sounds great. But Bobby has to go to school. And your mom might fire me."

"You don't realize Jackson's full potential as our servant. Plus, my mom thinks you walk on water, so you're golden there."

"What about the ranch?"

"Jackson can do that, too."

Jackson had yet to leave except to get some clothes. For some reason, he didn't want to go back home, and Jaron thought it might have something to do with his ill father. He didn't blame Jackson for needing a break. It turned out Jackson was a fun, likable guy, so Jaron wasn't complaining.

The door to their room banged open, and Bobby barreled inside, jumping on the bed beside Jaron. "Jackson said for me to tell you to get up."

"Tell Jackson to go fall off a cliff," Travis said, burrowing into Jaron's warmth.

"'K" Bobby ran from the room. "Jackson! They said for you to go fall off a cliff."

"Be careful on the stairs, Bobby." Jaron pictured him tumbling halfway down because he decided to run everywhere he went. "Slow down!"

"I am!" Bobby's voice carried through the entire house.

Jaron was instantly cold when Travis got out of bed. He watched as Travis slipped off his pajama pants and underwear, putting them into the hamper before walking across the room to the bathroom. God, he was beautiful.

Travis had a slight smile on his face as if he knew what Jaron thought. That mischievous sparkle entered his eyes as he went into the bathroom, leaving the door open, so Jaron had a clear view inside. He opened the shower door and faced away from Jaron as he adjusted the water, giving Jaron a clear view of his ass.

Jaron got out of bed and closed the distance between them. He ran his hands over the smooth globes. "This is about the only thing that would get me out of bed."

Travis chuckled. "You need encouragement."

Jaron smiled and gave Travis one more pat before going over to the toilet.

Travis went into the shower and shut the door, while Jaron relieved his bladder.

"Would you be able to take me to my mom's house? I want to pack some of my stuff." Jaron had every intention of following through on his slow-moving strategy, but Bobby didn't seem bothered by the weekend sleepover. The exact opposite was the case. He loved the farm and came out of his shell around Travis and Jackson. Both men were talkative and outgoing, and Bobby seemed to crave the attention. As for Jaron, he wanted to wake up next to Travis more often.

"Of course, baby. I can drop Bobby off at school too."

"Thank you." Jaron washed his hands and dried them before pulling the shower door open. Water cascaded down Travis' body and his hair slicked back, all wet and shiny, the color turning a deep red. Jaron leaned in far enough for a wet kiss but not far enough to get himself wet. He received what he desired. "I'm going to make Bobby breakfast. See you in ten."

"Sure thing, sweetness."

"Okay, sugar plum."

Travis' laughter followed Jaron down the stairs.

Bobby already sat on one of the stools with a bowl of cereal in front of him and a spoon in his hand.

Jackson chose to feed Bobby the small circled cereal with no added sugar. He also made coffee.

Jackson sat beside Bobby, eating the same thing. He was fully dressed and had showered at some point.

Jaron poured a cup for himself and took a sip, closing his eyes at the goodness. It woke his body a little. "Bless you."

Jackson snorted out a chuckle. "I'm that good, huh?"

"Better." Jaron nodded to Bobby's bowl. "You made the right cereal choice too."

"Well, I'm gonna eat, brush my teeth, and then I'm out of your hair for a few days."

Jaron frowned. "But Bobby and I don't want you to leave."

Jackson rustled Bobby's hair and smiled. "I have to check on things at my farm. Make sure Dad and the stepmom are getting on fine. But I'll come back and stay as long as you're cool with it."

"More than cool. I'll clean out the dresser and closet in your room to prove it." Travis called the room Jackson used the spare room, but Jaron thought of it as Jackson's.

Jackson smiled. "You don't have to do that."

"I know. But I'm gonna anyway." If Jaron could make Jackson's life a bit easier by making space for him, then it was a small thing.

Whatever reprieve staying with them had given Jackson was over. The resignation came through in Jackson's gaze. "Thanks."

"We're staying here too, right Papa?"

Jaron smiled. "Do you want to?"

Bobby nodded. "With Travis?"

"He'll sleep over sometimes."

Bobby frowned. "But not all the time?"

"No. Not all the time."

"Why?"

"Because Travis and Papa need…" Jaron narrowed his eyes at Jackson when he laughed again. "Just because. Okay, Bobby."

"But, Why?"

"It's a complicated answer."

Jackson grinned before answering for him. "Because your Papa wants to pretend Travis won't be here every night. It gives him the illusion of taking things slow even though neither one of them will or even wants to. Ain't that right, Jaron?"

Jaron shook his head. "Shut up."

Jackson chuckled and stood with his empty bowl. He walked around the island to the sink and rinsed it out before patting Jaron's shoulder. "It's all right with me if you want to keep fooling yourself."

"Thanks. Because I needed your approval."

Jackson snorted out a chuckle again and headed into the bathroom.

Jaron had the window cracked open about an inch. The cool morning air filtered inside the truck cab. Fall had set in enough that some of the leaves on the trees turned a pretty yellow, mixing with the green. He turned to the cows milling about in the field to the left. They were all black and smaller than the black and white ones, which held the majority on the Heath farm. "What kind of cows are those?"

"Angus. Beef cattle. That fellow right there." Travis pointed to one that stood a few feet from the rest. "That's the bull. The rest are cows."

"So he's got a job to do. Looks like he's not doing much but standing around."

"He's pacing himself. Can only impregnate one at a time." Travis took Jaron's hand in his and laced their fingers together.

"Papa," Bobby said from the backseat.

"Yes." Jaron gave Travis a knowing look. "Here it comes."

"I love you. And I think I should stay home today. Brownie might get lonely."

"I love you too. Brownie is coming to work with me like he always does."

"I think I should go with Travis. You need my help?"

"No." Jaron didn't wait for Travis to answer.

Travis chuckled but otherwise didn't comment.

It took Bobby a full two minutes before he changed gears. "I love you, Travis."

Travis' eyebrows went up. "I love you too. But I can't help you, little man. Sorry."

"You can take me for ice cream after school at least?"

Travis met Jaron's gaze. "I could pick him up from school and take him to the place in town. That okay with you?"

"Yeah." Jaron bit his bottom lip and decided it was as good a time as any to bring up the next topic. "I'd like to add you to Bobby's emergency contacts and pick up lists. I mean, if it's okay with you. You don't have to or anything. I just thought that maybe just in case something was to come up. An emergency or something. And I don't have a car so…"

Travis squeezed his hand. "I want to be on the list, Jaron. Of course."

Jaron sighed in relief. "It's just that things are moving fast, and I don't want to pressure you."

"Doesn't matter what happens between you and me. I told you that before." Travis pulled up into the school parking lot. "You need to slow down?"

"No. That's not what I'm saying." Jaron had passed the time where he'd save his heart. If Travis broke it than he did. And he trusted Travis when he said he wouldn't break Bobby's heart. That's all that mattered.

"Okay. Best get in there and add me then."

Jaron smiled and opened the truck door.

Bobby climbed out of the booster seat on his own.

Jaron opened his door and grabbed the backpack that Bobby had forgotten as he got out.

Jaron took Bobby's hand as they made their way through the cars dropping off kids.

"I have a secret."

Jaron handed Bobby the backpack when they got to the front door. He squatted down. "What is it?"

"I don't like school."

"That's not a secret because everyone knows."

Bobby sighed. "You're gonna make me go."

Jaron nodded. "Yep."

A small dark-haired boy stopped beside them. He smiled at Bobby. "Will you play with me at recess?"

"Okay." And just like that Bobby lit up. He followed the boy into the school, leaving Jaron outside.

It took less than a minute to add Travis to the list. The secretary pulled a file and wrote down his name and phone number. "Also, I'd like him to ride the bus to school as well."

"At the Heath farm?"

"Yes, ma'am."

She wrote down Bobby's name on a list with the Heath's address and then smiled at him. "You're all set."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"Have a nice day, Jaron."

"You too, Mrs. Bell." Jaron walked out, dodging kids and parents as he went. He made his way across the parking lot to Travis' truck.

Jaron must have had an expression on his face because the second he climbed in Travis chuckled. "He made a last-ditch effort, didn't he?"

Jaron shook his head and laughed. "I hope that kid learns to like school as much as he likes the farm."

"I doubt that will ever happen, baby."

"Me too. But at least he's here. And he found a friend."

Getting out of the school parking lot, wasn't as easy as getting in. They had to wait in line for everyone else dropping kids off. "Bobby will ride the bus to school starting tomorrow. Not just home anymore."

Travis' gaze snapped to him, and his mouth opened.

"What?"

"You called the farm ‘home'."

"Was I not supposed to?" Jaron stiffened and averted his gaze, facing forward. "Cars are pulling up."

Travis gripped the back of his neck and pulled him in for a kiss. Travis kept the kiss light, pecking him on the lips. "You were supposed to say what you did."

Jaron smiled. "Okay."

Someone honked behind them. Travis pulled the car forward. He rolled down the window and waved at whoever was behind them.

Someone yelled, "Stop sucking his face and pay attention, Heath."

Everyone in the car line probably heard. Jaron wanted to crawl in a hole somewhere. It was one thing to know everyone in town knew they were dating and another to have that knowledge yelled across the elementary school parking lot.

Travis didn't seem worried if his grin was any indication. He stuck his head out and looked behind him. "Why would I pay attention to you when I have him beside me, Gagliardo?"

Ian Gagliardo had graduated a year behind them and had played football well enough that everyone thought he'd go to college on a scholarship. He'd gotten Michelle Withrow pregnant their junior year, and that changed his life. Everyone said it was a shame that happened. That Ian was destined for greatness. Even Jaron thought that back when the knowledge had been fresh. His perspective changed the day Bobby had been born.

Jaron turned to see Ian behind them. He waved, smiling at Ian, before turning around again. Ian didn't seem as if he minded the way his life had turned out.

"Call me later. We'll set up a play date for the kids," Ian yelled.

Travis waved at that and turned back around. "Will do, man."

Travis met Jaron's gaze but broke it when the cars pulled forward again. It was their turn at the road, which held most of Travis' attention. "You okay?"

It was an odd thing to ask. "I'm fine. Why?"

"You just had a look is all."

Jaron shrugged. "I didn't expect the acceptance."

"Ian's a good dude."

"What about everyone else in line?"

Travis pulled out onto the road before giving Jaron a look. "What about them?"

"They all know we're dating. They probably heard about you and Brad fighting."

"Are you telling me you want to hide?"

Jaron narrowed his eyes. "Hell no. I'm not the one who came out recently. I'm just making sure you understand."

Travis grabbed his hand and held it up to his lips, kissing the center of his palm. "I'm not going anywhere, baby."

"People can be shitheads, Travis."

Travis laced their fingers together and rested them on the center console. "I'm not going anywhere, and I'll keep saying that until you believe it."

Jaron didn't believe it.

Instead of creating an argument, Jaron changed the subject. "I have to pack some more stuff. I'll be quick."

His mother's car sat in the driveway. She should have been at work. The fact that she wasn't meant a quick run inside wasn't in the cards.

"If you need to go back to the farm, you can." Jaron pointed to his mother's car. "I'll be a while."

She may very well flip her gourd when Jaron told her he was going to move into Travis' house.

"You don't have to move. If you think it's not the right time, then maybe you shouldn't." Travis' jaw ticced, and he looked anywhere but at Jaron.

"Do you want me to?" Jaron knew what Travis said, but maybe he needed an out. Maybe it was all too much, too fast.

"I like the idea of you close. And like I said, I'm not going anywhere."

"I like the idea too."

"But you don't believe me when I say I'm all in."

"I'm halfway there."

Travis sighed. "Do you want me to go?"

"If you want to."

"Jaron. Damn it, tell me what you want. If you want me to go, I'll go." Travis hadn't ever raised his voice before. At least not at Jaron.

"I don't want you to go."

"Do you need me to help carry things?"

"Yes. And I want you there for moral support. But can you wait until after I talk to my mom before you come in."

Travis finally smiled. "I can do that."

"And I'm sorry."

"You still won't trust me, though."

"I'm trying."

"I know. And I'm trying not to let that bother me."

Jaron sighed. "How about we shelve the conversation."

Travis nodded. "Go in and argue with your mom. Sounds better than arguing with me."

"Very funny."

"But accurate." Travis shooed him with his hand.

Jaron closed the distance between them. He gripped the back of Travis' neck, pulling up closer. "I know enough about you to know I want to see where this thing goes. I'm not worried about the future. I think maybe I should be. I've spent a lot of time with a woman who said one thing but always did another."

Travis smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "That is not me."

Jaron kissed Travis but kept it quick. "I do know that, Travis."

"Go have your talk." Travis cupped his cheek, and they kissed again.

They hadn't solved any problems, but they'd solved it enough to create a sweet moment. Jaron didn't want to leave that.

Travis let him go, and Jaron got out of the truck.

Jaron yelled for his mother as soon as he went into the house. "Mom!"

"I'm right here. Why are you yelling?" Jaron followed the sound of her voice.

"Oh. Sorry." He closed the door behind him and made his way through the kitchen to the living room. He sat next to her on the couch, turning so he faced her. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." Her expression suggested she thought him crazy for asking. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"You're home from work."

"I had to take a vacation day. If I didn't, I'd lose it." She turned as well, sitting the way he was. "How was your weekend?"

"Great. Travis is outside waiting for me. I can't take long, but I need to talk to you about something." Travis had stuff to do on the farm and Jaron had a house to clean. They both needed to get to work sooner rather than later so small talk with his mother wasn't on the agenda.

"If you tell me you're leaving Pickleville again I will be very angry, Jaron McAllister." She gave him the mom stare. She had given him that penetrating stare more often than not growing up. It's how he knew she meant business.

"No, I'm just moving closer to my job."

The relief on her face was visible. "Oh, thank God."

"I'm sorry I scared you, Mom."

She hugged him, her arms tightening around him a bit too much as if she feared he'd disappear if she didn't hold him tight enough. She smiled when she let him go. "Tell me all about it."

"Well, Travis offered to let me rent his house, which is just a small walk from the big house. So I'm moving Bobby and me there."

"What if you break it off with him? Then you're moving Bobby back home again." She made a valid point, and it was one he had thought of already.

"I want to look online for a renter's agreement or something. He said I could pay him if it makes me feel better and it does. I'm going to insist he set a monthly rate that is fair to him. If I don't, he'll set it for ten dollars a month or something."

She let out a sigh as if resigning herself to the inevitable. "Travis is a good boy. He'll give you the shirt of his back if you let him."

Jaron smiled and nodded. "I'm starting to learn that. He's already made Bobby family. So has Bev, for that matter."

She patted his hand. "Best get used to that mentality. The whole Heath lot is like that."

"I just wish I could trust his feelings toward me."

"Give it time and you will." She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders as if she were ready to go to battle. "Now. I have demands."

Jaron's eyebrows went up and he fought not to grin.

"I want to see Bobby at least once a week. Overnight visits. None of this one-day crap. Also, you and I have to go to lunch or something every once in a while. And I want a phone call a couple of times a week."

Jaron laughed. "I'm moving across town, not to the moon, mom."

"I have to make my demands now while you're agreeable."

"Well, would you come to dinner tomorrow night then?"

"I'm looking forward to it." She patted his hand again. "I also want to say how proud I am of you. You've been through a lot lately, and you haven't let that derail you when it comes to Bobby."

"He is my whole world."

She gave him a sad smile. "You're a much better parent to him than I was to you."

Jaron couldn't help the tears that came. She was the only parent he had. He'd always wanted to make her proud, and he'd always felt as if he fell short of the mark. "Thanks, Mom."

"Do you need help packing?"

"I'm only taking a few things today."

"Not fully committing. That's what that means." She gave him that mom stare again, looking into his soul. "It's too late to guard your heart against hurt. You're in love. I can see it every time you talk about him."