Page 23 of Starting Over in Cedarwood

“I can get you signed up.” He’d pull strings with Remy and have it done by the end of the day.

“Thanks. That’d be awesome,” Kevin said. “I appreciate it. We need to get to practicing or we’ll be rusty—I will anyway. I haven’t gone for a run in five days.”

“Run with you? Oh darn. Gotta spend time together and run.” Shaun laughed. “I’m looking forward to it.”

“Me, too,” Kevin said. “I should go. It’s getting crazy here again and Nedra just waved at me. The team is losing, and when they’re not playing so well, we tend to sell more food.”

Shaun leaned back in his seat and propped his feet on his desk. “Ah, the fans. I never got a chance to ask about your work. Bad Shaun. I hope it evens out and you get to have another break.”

“Me, too.” Kevin laughed and the line crackled. “Will you be available to run tomorrow? Like maybe you could take a break around ten-ish in the morning?”

He probably could take time off. He didn’t need to spend every second at the office and getting out would be a great excuse to go to the shelter afterward. “I’m available.”

“Good. I can meet you at the office.”

“I’d like that.” He crossed his ankles. “I’m looking forward to seeing you.”

“In those shorty shorts,” Kevin said. “I’ll bet you’re hot in yours.”

“I’ll bet you are, too.”

“I try.”

Kevin was opening up, and just thinking about that made Shaun smile. He liked Kevin’s growing ease. “Text me when you’re done.”

“I will.” Kevin sighed. “I don’t know if you feel it, but I like where we’re at. It’s a good place.”

“It is.” He’d never been this happy before. “You’re a great guy and I got lucky.”

“You’re silly, but you’re a great guy, too,” Kevin said. “Shit. Gotta go. I’m being paged. Talk to you later.”

“You bet.” He hung up and thought about Remy’s question. Was he happy in Cedarwood?

Very, and things would only get better.

* * * *

Kevin woke Tuesday morning with his muscles still tense from the night before.Damn.He wished the tension in his body was from good sex, but no. Work sucked and he was still carrying the stress. He’d forgotten to text Shaun, which annoyed him, and he’d had to work the beer counter…again. Either the ballclub needed to hire more concessions staff, or something. He needed more personnel, because his people were stretched too thin and it was only two-thirds of the way through the season.

He needed help.

Sex wouldn’t be bad, either.

He rubbed his forehead, then swatted the bed for Leo. The cat had curled up beside him—good for stress reduction, since he could pet Leo, but bad for having someone sleep over. Leo didn’t like to share the bed.

He checked the clock as he petted Leo. At this rate, he had enough time to get himself hydrated and dressed before he’d told Shaun they’d meet up. If he didn’t get moving, he’d end up being late. He poured a glass of water, and while he checked the messages on his work phone, he hydrated. His new personal phone would be in later that afternoon, but he’d have to wait until the ballgame concluded before he could pick it up.

Excitement filled his brain. He couldn’t wait to see Shaun and run off some of his blossoming energy. That said, he should eat something or he’d run out of steam halfway through the run.

He grabbed a granola bar and plopped a scoop of Leo’s dry food into his dish. Afterward, he read through his emails while he continued to drink his water. He couldn’t recall being this happy and relaxed…ever. Unlike most men he knew, Shaun didn’t need to be impressed—he liked Kevin, despite his awkwardness. Plus, they had things in common. The date, running, loving too much and too fast… He’d found a real partner in Shaun and they hadn’t been a couple that long.

He paced the length of the living room and finished his granola bar. The protein should be coursing through his body by the time he headed out for the run.

His phone buzzed with a new email. He checked the sender’s name.

Kyle.

Damn it.

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