Page 29 of After the Rain

David laughed, and his hand found Michael's automatically as his husband joined the conversation. "Jackson's got big plans. We're just trying to keep up." He extended his hand to me. “Good to see you man.”

“Good to see you too.” I replied back.

There was something natural about the way Ezra fit into this community, something I envied without understanding why. The family's casual happiness together created an odd ache in my chest.

After they moved on to other playground equipment, I found myself asking Ezra careful questions about their experience in Cedar Falls.

"They seem really happy," I said, watching David chase Jackson around the monkey bars while Michael cheered them on.

"They are. David and Michael have been together for almost ten years. Jackson's adopted, but you'd never know it from how much he looks like David."

"Do they face any... difficulties? In a small town like this?"

Ezra glanced at me with curiosity. "Some. Mostly just ignorance rather than outright hostility. Why do you ask?"

I didn't have a good answer. "Just curious, I guess. Cooper asked questions about different family types after we met them at the park last weekend. I want to make sure I'm giving him good information."

"Cooper's pretty open-minded about family structures. You're doing a good job helping him understand that love comes in different forms."

The approval in Ezra's voice warmed me in ways that felt disproportionate to the simple compliment.

As Cooper's energy wound down, he settled on my lap while continuing to chat with Ezra about upcoming school projects. The three of us sitting together on the bench felt natural and right in ways that confused me. This felt more like family than most of my marriage to Sarah ever did.

"Mr. Mitchell, can you come home with us for dinner?" Cooper asked with the innocent directness only children possessed. "Daddy makes really good grilled cheese, and we have the good cookies from the bakery."

My immediate desire to say yes surprised me. Why did I want Ezra in our home so badly?

"That's a nice invitation, Cooper," Ezra said carefully, "but I should probably head home. It's a school night."

Cooper's disappointment was obvious. "But you came for dinner last time."

"Last time was special homework help. Tonight is just a nice coincidence that we're all at the park together."

I understood the boundaries Ezra was trying to maintain, but part of me wanted to argue. Wanted to say that this didn't feel like coincidence—it felt like something we both needed.

Cooper spotted ducks near the water and raced ahead, leaving Ezra and me alone on a bench in the golden evening light. The peaceful setting contrasted with my growing internal turmoil as I tried to understand why Ezra's presence affected me so strongly.

"Wade," Ezra said gently, "you seem like you're wrestling with something. Do you want to talk about it?"

The invitation to honesty was both terrifying and irresistible.

I found myself studying his face as we talked—the kindness in his blue eyes, the way his mouth curved when he smiled. When had looking at him started making my heart race?

The space between us felt charged, like the air before a thunderstorm.

"I don't know what's happening to me," I said quietly, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. "I've never felt like this about anyone before. I thought I knew who I was, but being around you makes me question everything."

Ezra turned to face me fully, his expression gentle and understanding. "Wade, it's okay to be confused. You don't have to figure everything out right now."

But I felt desperate to understand. The uncertainty was driving me crazy, and standing this close to him, I could smell something clean and warm that made me want to step closer.

"I think..." I started, then stopped, my hand lifting toward his face without conscious thought. "I think I want to kiss you."

Ezra's eyes widened slightly, but he didn't pull away. "Wade?—"

I leaned in slowly, giving him time to stop me, my fingers trembling as they touched his cheek. When our lips met, it was gentle, tentative, and completely overwhelming.

I'd never kissed a man before, never wanted to, never imagined it could feel like this—right and terrifying and perfect all at once.

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