25. Dutton

Dutton

S pring here was truly beautiful. I loved every second of it, especially Oakley's Crew coming in and planting beautiful flowers and a vegetable garden for me. I was thinking pretty hard about a pool but decided against it for now. The hot tub keeps us pretty occupied and is as beautiful as ever.

I'm making pretty good money being the town's go-to photographer, but I don't want to use up all my inheritance just yet. I did, however, commission the deck on the back of the house, and Oakley made a gorgeous picnic table just for it. He and his husband even gifted us a porch swing, so Walker and I spend a lot of nights out on that deck, looking up at the country sky.

There's nothing like that view, unfettered by city lights. I love the country air—I barely even mind the mosquitos, even though I do curse them to hell often. It's summer now though.

Another season in Kansas. My parents even came to visit us at the beginning of summer, and my dad had tears in his eyes when he told me I had done good by the property. That it's truly mine now and everything he could hope for.

I might have teared up too. I always worried a little bit about ruining my dad's relationship with his mother, but he assured me he only puts the blame on her. I'm starting to accept that myself. I didn't do anything wrong, and all my dad did was choose his son over hatred. He told me it was a simple decision. That she could either love me for me, or he was just done. He says he doesn't mourn that loss because she made a choice, but I still hate the choice she made and probably always will.

Summer in Kansas... it's an experience, to say the least. It's the Fourth of July, and we're at Oakley and Trav's house. They had a huge barbecue with more food and beer than we needed. Shelly is here with Amber. Gabe looks truly happy. I like watching how the entire crew acts together because they really are a family. It's not just employment for them. And now we're all just sitting in lawn chairs, looking up at the sky as Travis directs his husband and his best friend, Dixon, not to blow themselves up.

The fireworks burst in the sky with beautiful, vibrant colors—the sky totally dark and free from any other light and making it that much more beautiful. I never really cared much about this holiday. Never celebrated, but I can see the appeal now. I've had a really good day. We even went to a parade this morning and then a small carnival in town. Hell, they even dragged my ass to a demolition derby.

Their obsession with crashing cars into each other is a little mind-boggling, but I can't say it wasn't fun and that I didn't cheer right along with them all and just as loud. Go with it, I say. I'm just leaning into the fun and embracing all the traditions.

"You okay?" Walker leans into me, and I nod.

"We didn't get to do this in California. I'm just taking it in."

He shakes his head. "I think I'd die if we couldn't have fire. I mean, it's so pretty. And blowing shit up? How can you say no to that?" His excitement is contagious, I swear.

"Not when it's burning down the world around you," I say, stroking his cheek, and he frowns because my guy really does care about the rest of the world, even if his is kind of wonderfully small.

"Yeah. I hate watching that on the news. I'm so glad you're here and safe."

Oakley shoots another firework, almost knocking it over and sending it our way, but he recovers it just in time, and I cackle, full and happy. "Sure."

Travis scolds his husband and tells him not to blow up their guests.

Walker laughs too and shrugs. "Well, for the most part."

"I'm glad I'm here too." I lean in for a quick kiss, not wanting to miss the show but unable to keep my lips off him for too long.

I didn't know happiness like this existed until I met him.

" C ome on. Dance with me." Walker takes my hand, sounding incredibly excited, and I hurry to take another big bite of my barbecue pork sandwich. Struggling to swallow as he pulls me out to the street. It's street dance time.

Everyone is here, and I swear to you, the whole damn town knows my name now too, instead of just my boyfriend's. I love it here. I've never felt more at home.

Walker pulls me to his strong body, and we sway happily to the music, laughing and singing. Our bellies full of barbecue and beer. "So is this time better than the first?" he asks me, spinning me around, which is ridiculous because we're the same height. But it's still fun.

"Just a little better. It was great the first time, but I was a little afraid I was going to get my ass beat."

He frowns at that, and again—my sweet, naive guy. "I wouldn't have let that happen."

I stroke my hand over his jaw. "I knew that even then, I think. I'm glad I worried for nothing though. I'm glad it wasn't a great big mess and that most of the town is nothing like my grandmother."

"I'm sorry she hurt you and that you may never get any answers from her." I do still struggle with why she left everything to me. Why she couldn't just love me when she was alive. Or did she think this place could fix me ? It doesn't matter though.

I shrug. "Life doesn't work like that. And I'm okay with it. Truly. I've found my peace, and this place is more my home than it ever was hers because I don't worry about stupid shit, and I won't ever hurt anyone with cruel words and hateful ignorance."

He leans in and kisses me softly. "You're truly incredible, you know that?"

"You're pretty incredible too." I kiss him, and we dance the night away. Joining with our friends, who have become family. Archie is with his man, who seems to be fitting in just fine.

It's kind of nice not to be the new guy anymore.

We head over to Lucille's for biscuits and gravy before we head out to the country, to the house we made into a home.

I'm kind of sad summer is unofficially over, but I also cannot wait for the fall.