Page 12 of Highway To Destiny

I stopped staring, not believing my good fortune. “It’s great to see you again, Mason.” My words felt like they’d stumbled out, and the fear of coming across as a bumbling idiot pierced my thoughts. Ignoring them, I asked, “How have you been? Are you just passing through with deliveries again?”

Will you be spending the night in town–and where? Would you like to go to a kegger with me tonight?

Probing questions and lustful thoughts swirled in my mind, but I kept them hidden—for now.

Mason took a swig of coffee. “Yeah, I needed to make a large delivery over at a convenience store. It’s the same one I made a delivery to after I dropped you off at the dorm a couple of months ago,” he replied after setting his cup back down. The waitress had brought me a menu with my water, which I downed half of in a few gulps.

She quickly returned to take my order, arriving with Mason’s lunch in tow. Once I eyed it, I pointed and said, “That looks really good. Can I have the same as my friend here?” Mason glanced up at me with those steely blue eyes, his head lowered and then looked at my pointing finger. She smiled, nodded, and walked back to the kitchen.At least Mason and I have the same taste in food!I told Mason to start eating so his soup wouldn’t get cold.

“How’s school going?” Mason asked, taking a spoonful of soup.

“Really well. I have a busy class load, but I also have time to tutor a couple of accounting undergrads for some extra money. Their folks pay me electronically every other week, so I don’t need to hound them, and it keeps my checking account in the black. My friend Spencer tutors as well and clued me in on the opportunity,” I said, noticing my hand was holding my water glass a bit too tightly, and I was also talking way too much.

Am I rambling? Why are my hands sweating? Why do I feel my heart beating in my ears?

Mason was about halfway through his lunch when mine arrived. He didn’t rush. I think he wanted our exchange to last just as I did. The waitress asked if I wanted something else to drink, and I told her the water was fine. Once I began eating, my nerves subsided a little, my pulse slowed, and my head began to clear.

“Have you been on the road since you dropped me off?” I asked, trying to keep the conversation going. He took a bite of his sandwich, and I could tell he was formulating an answer. He seemed to be the type who took time to evaluate things. I hoped I was passing his assessment test if that’s what it was.

Mason wiped his lips with a napkin.His perfect, full lips.“Actually, no…” he started to say, then cleared his throat, and I watched his Adam’s apple bob when he took a sip of coffee. “I decided to take some time off after that last trip you hitched on. I went back home to Crescent City, which is a seaside town in California. I have a condo with an ocean view, and some of the locals are good friends.” He smiled slightly, and I could tell he was fond of the place.

“Ahh, that’s nice,” I replied. “Sounds like a great way to recharge and take your mind off the road for a while.” I took a bite of my sandwich and looked at him. He had the same fixed stare directly into my eyes as he had at that rest area.

What is he thinking about? What does he see when he looks at me like that?

“It is,” he said with a grin. “Where are you originally from?” He kept his questions short and to the point.

“Portland. I wanted to stay in Oregon to finish up my grad degree, being a state resident and all. My mom and older brother are there too. I wanted to attend EOU for my MBA since it’s far enough away from home but close enough to visit for holidays and breaks. Portland can be a distraction for me socially, and I wanted to finish my master’s degree in two years. I might end up back there after I graduate, but I’m open to relocating anywhere,” I said. The last time Mason and I talked, he was impressed with my life goals, and I liked his approval.

Mason took a refill of coffee when the waitress offered, which got me excited, thinking he wanted to spend more time with me. I finished my lunch; the waitress cleared our plates and then placed the bill on the table. I went to reach for my wallet as Mason picked up the slip of paper.

“I’ve got this,” he said, pulling out some bills. “You’re a starving student, and it’s a pleasure to treat you.” He sat there and took his time finishing his coffee as his steely blue eyes took in my face, glancing between my eyes and my lips. He had a smile on his lips.

Those perfect lips!

“Thank you, Mason, but I’m hardly starving,” I replied with a laugh.Okay, here goes nothing.“Are you hitting the road once we’re done here, or are you spending the night?” I asked and internally winced at being so forward.

He looked at me with a slight grin and said, “I’d planned on hitting the road and keeping a tight schedule, but by the time I get to my next delivery, it’ll be early morning, and I don’t need to push it.” He paused. “I think I might just stay in town and leave fresh in the morning.” My pulse picked up again.Yes!

“The beauty of having that sleeper cab, I suppose?” I asked, secretly wishing to be under him on that mattress behind the cab seats.

“That’s why I have it. No hotel needed,” he replied with a wink. My heart stuttered.

“Well, if you’re here for the night, my friend Spencer and I planned on attending a large kegger party later being put on by a bunch of fraternities. They’ll even have a bonfire. Would you like to go with us two gay guys and hang with an energetic college crowd?” I suddenly realized I’d come out to him in the invitation and hoped my slip wasn’t a mistake.

Mason was about to respond, taking on a slight frown, but I interjected. “I know it’s last minute and probably not your thing, but I’d be there, and it’s free beer! You can always head back to your rig if you feel uncomfortable. Just a night of friendly company, and you wouldn’t need to be alone in town tonight.” I really hoped his hesitation wasn’t because we were gay. You never knew what reaction you’d get when you came out.

He studied me, took the last swig of his coffee, and placed his cup down. “I’m not sure that would be a great idea, considering I’m the same age as most of the students' parents. I’d probably look like a chaperone.”

I noted that his response was about his age, not about being around gay guys.

“I see your point, but we won’t have to be in the middle of the crowd if it makes you uncomfortable. I like to sit back and watch the peacocking of the undergrads. Plus, it’s free beer!” I emphasized again, with a big smile and a tilt of my head. “Listen, I’ll send you a text with directions and a time to meet should you change your mind, which I hope you do. I’ll keep my eye out for you. Think about it?”At least I’ll finally get his cell phone number.

Mason studied me. “Alright, I’ll think about it. Give me your number, and I’ll text you, then you’ll have mine.” My stomach flipped as he pulled out his cell and handed it to me to type my name and number in.

My phone buzzed in my pocket within a few seconds, and I knew in my gut that seeing him tonight was destined to happen—again.

11

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