Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 75871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Vince leaned over the seat and nudged Colby with his arm. “Then we’ll go one day.”
He rolled his eyes. “We can’t go to Europe.”
“Why not?”
“Because…” Well, shit, why couldn’t he go to Europe if he wanted to? Why had he never just fucking gone if it was something he wanted? Colby wasn’t afraid to do it alone, he just…never really took the time to do the things that interested him. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “We’re going to go to Europe?” His pulse jumped excitedly. The thought of just taking off for a vacation like that made him shift, unable to keep still but not wanting to get too hopeful about this. But then, even if Vince didn’t want to go, Colby could. He should. And maybe he would. He just liked the idea of going with Vince more. In that moment, he wanted to pretend they didn’t have any responsibilities and could just go where they wanted, when they wanted.
“Well, not tomorrow,” Vince said, “but fuck yes. I love travel. I’ll go anywhere you want. We can plan for next summer.”
Was it silly that Colby liked the idea of Vince still planning to live in Harmony next summer? Actually, that didn’t mean Vince didn’t expect to move; maybe he did, but regardless, he still planned to be close to Colby. “Okay.”
“I’m serious, babe. We’re going to fucking Europe. You can drink beer there too, but I bet yours is better.” He winked before opening the truck door.
“Laying it on a little thick, aren’t you?”
“Eh, that’s kinda my thing. I like to make you feel good.”
Him. Vince didn’t say he liked to make people feel good. He said he liked to make Colby feel good. Like Colby was different than others to Vince. It was a reminder that their friendship meant as much to Vince as it did to him. “I like it too.”
“When I make you feel good?”
They chuckled, heading toward the bus that would take them to the entrance. “No, smartass. Making you feel good.”
“I guess that’s why this works for both of us,” Vince replied.
Yeah, yeah it did. Colby could explore himself or anything else he wanted with Vince—from Europe to orgasms to beer. It might not be romantic between them, but it was the best relationship Colby had ever had.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Vince
The Biltmore was incredible. They took a guided tour of the house, spent some time exploring the gardens, then had a late lunch at the village. Like it always was between them, they never ran out of things to talk about, but they also had their moments of comfortable silence.
Vince got along with everyone. He was low-key, easygoing, and felt comfortable in most situations, but still he felt more comfortable with Colby. He couldn’t say why, really. Everything was easy between them—easier than with anyone else.
He wasn’t surprised he’d offered to go to Europe with Colby. He’d been before and liked it, and he hadn’t been lying when he’d said he enjoyed traveling, but still, the evolution of their friendship surprised him. Maybe it was because he was still riding the high from coming his brains out with a man who meant so much to him, someone he hadn’t thought he would ever have that kind of relationship with.
After the Biltmore, they did some more exploring around Asheville and found a nice restaurant for dinner. It was within walking distance from their hotel, so they’d left Colby’s truck there.
When they finished with their meal, Colby insisted on paying.
“You trying to take me out on a date?” Vince teased, and he saw Colby’s back straighten in response. “I’m kidding. Don’t stress out.”
“I was afraid you were stressing out.”
“You couldn’t tell by my playful tone?”
“Eh. Good point. I guess I’m just being careful.”
Because he’s scared of messing this up, Vince wondered, or because he’s afraid I would fall for him?
Before Vince could figure out how to reply, he heard a dum, dum, dum in the background, getting louder and louder. “What’s that?” he asked. Clearly, it was drums, but were they having some kind of festival or something?
“Oh shit. I forgot about the drum circle. They do it every Friday night in the warm months.”
Colby took Vince’s hand and pulled him along. They walked down the block, and across the street in the park, about a hundred and fifty people congregated. The beat of the drums was loud, vibrating. People talked, laughed, and danced to the music.
“Do you want to go?” Colby asked.
“Fuck yes.” With their hands still clasped, they crossed the street. There was a circular brick courtyard where some of the drummers stood, but there were also rows and concrete steps around it where even more played. There was laughter and smiles, Vince unable to keep himself from grinning too at the people who just seemed so happy and at peace with each other.