Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“Okay.”
August called Clint, who was free and said Reese could come over. They told Lewis what they were doing before getting into the car to drive over.
“You really might leave here if I did, huh?” Reese asked.
“I might. I know that seems silly to you, and maybe it is, but…well, you know how I am.” Another fake smile.
“What about Clint?”
“Clint would maybe go too, but I don’t want you to worry about me or Clint or even Pop. You need to make the decision that’s best for you. This is about what you want, and we will both love you the same no matter what you choose.”
“Thanks, Dad. You’re the best. I love you.”
“Right back at ya, kid.” August winked, hoping Reese didn’t notice his watery eyes.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Clint
Clint was surprised as shit when August called and said Reese asked about coming over to weld. It was obvious Reese enjoyed welding, but Clint would’ve never thought Reese would want to come over during the limited time he had with Lewis in town.
Unless it’s because he’s already made a decision. He knows he’s going to Orlando, and this is his chance to work on August’s project before he goes.
No matter how much Clint tried to quiet that inner voice, he couldn’t, so he just did his best to ignore it.
He played outside with Midnight and Sweetie while he waited for them to arrive. At Scout’s party, Reese had mentioned wanting to work with Clint again, so maybe that’s what this was. Maybe he was just jumping to conclusions.
It didn’t take long for them to pull up. He threw the ball for the dogs just as August parked. The two of them climbed out and made their way over to him, and damned if Clint could keep his mind off the night before. Of fucking August by their creek, then lying together, naked and sated and knowing there wasn’t anywhere in the world he wouldn’t follow this man.
“Hey, you,” he said and was surprised when August pressed a quick kiss to his lips.
They’d gone from taking things slowly and not rushing Reese into their relationship to full speed ahead. Clint couldn’t say he wasn’t happy about that. It made things feel more real to him, like he wasn’t in this alone.
“Thanks for hanging out with this brat today,” August teased.
“This is Dad pretending he isn’t freaking stoked that I asked to come over here,” Reese countered, making Clint laugh.
“You have your dad nailed down pretty well,” Clint said.
“It feels like the two of you are ganging up on me again. That’s not very fair.” August smiled. Maybe Reese asking to come over really was a good sign. August didn’t seem worried, but then Clint knew he would do his best to hide it so he didn’t upset Reese.
“I think it’s fair,” Clint joked. “What about you?” he asked Reese.
“I agree.”
“You’re both brats.” August ruffled Reese’s hair, his son backing away and rolling his eyes. “Have fun. I’ll be here in a couple of hours. I had strict instructions that I’m not allowed to stay.”
“We’ll be here,” Clint answered as Reese said, “See you soon, Dad.”
Reese bent to pet the pups while Clint watched August head back to his SUV, throwing a quick glance and a smile over his shoulder that lit up Clint’s whole damn world. How had he lived a whole, happy life without having this? Feeling it? Now it felt like he’d die without it.
“We gonna work on your dad’s flower garden?” Clint asked when August was pulling away.
“Yeah, I was hoping we could make a few of them so there’s lots of different options. I also looked up some other kinds of flowers I wanted to try, but they might be too difficult.” He showed Clint his phone.
“We can do that. August is gonna love it. Especially because you put so much thought into it. And if we struggle with some of the flowers, we’ll just have to keep trying.”
Reese grinned. “That’s cool. Thanks, Clint.”
“No problem.”
They headed to the shop, Reese going straight for the hook on the wall with his gear on it. Clint liked seeing him so at home here, feeling comfortable in Clint’s space and with him.
Clint suited up as well. Reese showed him some design ideas, and they decided on which one to start with.
Reese was very good about following Clint’s lead and not doing anything dangerous or without making sure he could. He asked questions and watched and stepped back for Clint to take over when he needed to. They worked for a good two hours, finishing more flowers for August’s garden before they took a break.
They were sitting at the counter, looking over all they’d finished, when Reese said, “Hey, Clint?”
“Yeah?”
“I know we don’t know each other well, and I’m just your boyfriend’s son—which is really fuc—freaking weird to say when it comes to Dad, but—”