Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 86556 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 346(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86556 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 346(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
“Okay.” Dustin sighed, and Wes knew he wasn’t imagining the relief on his features. Darn it. “How’s your sister doing?”
Wes had told Dustin a little about Sam’s heart condition on a night a few months back when he was feeling particularly down. Dustin remembering how close he was to Sam made warmth spread through his chest. “She’s good. Always got to be on the lookout for infection though. Hopefully this year’s cold and flu season isn’t too rough. She made me a new playlist today. I’ll forward you the link.”
“More of that alternative-country?” Dustin made a face. They might share a taste in movies and TV, but in music they differed, almost comically so.
“Yup. Be glad you’re not riding back with me.” His insides gave a little twinge at the reminder that all he had with Dustin was this one night. And that’s why he needs to say yes. If all they had was tonight, then Wes was going to make it one they both remembered for a long, long time.
Chapter Three
Dustin wasn’t nervous. Just because Wes had put it out there that they could go back to his room didn’t mean they had to. Didn’t mean his pulse had to rev like a personnel carrier, all loud and roaring in his ears. Didn’t mean his fingers had to suddenly have nothing better to do than shred napkins. And it definitely didn’t mean he needed to keep up the idiotic rambling. Damn it, Strauss, remember who and what you are.
He attempted to focus on the game for a while, trying to calm himself. Their food arrived, big steaming platters of burgers and fries.
“Fries really are amazing,” Dustin said, spearing another. He’d asked for ranch with his fries, in part just to see Wes’s grimace.
“Yeah, but you’re ruining them.” Wes shook his head.
“Says the guy who loves cold pizza.” Dustin managed a laugh. Bantering like this was nice. Easier than focusing on what might come next.
“Leftovers are the shit. You haven’t lived until you’ve had my dad’s barbecue the next day with a can of cold Cheerwine.”
“That the North Carolina stuff with the vinegar sauce?” Dustin asked. Wes had dropped enough hints that he was from that area, and his accent would seem to back it up. His voice was the type that Dustin could listen to for hours—deep and sure with a Southern twang, but not overpowering. Soothing, almost.
“Yes, sir.” Wes graced him with another rare smile. Dustin dug how his accent got more pronounced when he talked about his family or got excited over something. “Takes all day out in Dad’s smoker. Best thing that ever happened to a pig. My family recipe is locked up tighter than the Pentagon. Reckon you’d like it even if you don’t dig vinegar.”
Dustin’s chest pinched. There wasn’t ever going to be a future where he met Wes’s family, got to try barbecue, got another chance at...
At what? Suddenly, making the most of their night seemed like the smartest move he could make. The universe wasn’t going to give him a second chance at Wes, at getting to live some of his fantasies. And he liked Wes, far more than he should, actually. He might be able to pick up another guy on Joe4Joe, but he could almost guarantee he wouldn’t be as cool as Wes.
“I dig you,” he blurted, not quite as flirty as he’d intended.
But Wes merely smiled indulgently. “Good.”
“This is still weird,” Dustin admitted. “Being here. In person. Not just typing.”
“If you trust me, I’ve got a plan to make it less weird.” Wes took a long sip of his beer.
Surprisingly, Dustin did. And there was that damn curiosity again, rearing its head. He was dying to know what Wes had in mind. “Okay.”
“Really?” That got Wes’s widest smile yet. “Good.”
Dustin nodded. It wasn’t like he was a stranger to one-nightstands—he’d had plenty in his younger days, especially when he was at the Academy and young females from area colleges were plentiful. Sometime in the past few years, hookups had lost their appeal, but he’d never had much time or inclination to go search out something more long-term. It was easier almost, taking care of things on his own, not dealing with interpersonal drama. That was what had led him to the chat apps—sharing pics and quick cyber was preferable to the bar scene, a way to jazz up his usual jerk-off routine without too much risk.
He hadn’t anticipated meeting someone like Wes though, someone who made him want that physical contact again. So yeah, he kinda wanted to see what Wes had in mind, let this play out for hopefully a hot memory before he went back to his solitary ways.
The air seemed to crackle as they finished their food, and he didn’t think he was imagining that Wes’s eating sped up. They split the check, then headed out into the crisp night air.