Page 54 of Starting Over in Cedarwood

“It’s okay. Dramatic means you’re human.” Kevin swatted him on the ass. “Get done. I’m seriously fixing dinner tonight, so don’t be late.”

“I won’t.” Shaun sighed. If Kevin wasn’t worried, then he wasn’t either. “See you. I’ll call when I’m on my way.”

“Sounds good.” Kevin kissed him on the cheek. “You got this.”

“I do, because I have you.” Shaun left the ballpark and headed out to his car. He tucked the drink into the cupholder then headed down to Ashland. The drive afforded him time to think about the other house listings he’d seen and what he wanted in a home. He still preferred the extra bedrooms and the yard, but he might be able to negotiate on the larger garage or the privacy fences. Maybe if he and Kevin worked together on the renovations, they’d be able to afford to upgrade.

Maybe.

Once he reached Ashland, he pulled into the parking lot of the truck stop. He parked. He’d forgotten how busy the place could be—so much action and so many people. This wasn’t the type of establishment he usually frequented—it was too far out of the way. But the truck stop was public enough for a meeting with Jonah.

He ventured inside and swept his gaze over the mix of people at the various tables. Jonah stood next to one of the tables and waved his arm.

Shaun fortified himself.Face him, get the pictures and get moving.

“Shaun.” Jonah threw his arms around Shaun. “You made it.”

“I did.” He gave his ex-boyfriend a limp hug in return. “How was the drive?”

“Good. Columbus is really happening.” Jonah gestured to the empty chair. “Sit. I’ll get coffees. Still plain with two creamers?”

“Yeah.” Among other drinks. He’d evolved in his coffee selections.

Jonah returned a moment later with two cups. “So. You look good. Are you happy? Here.”

“Thank you.” He accepted one of the coffees.

“Welcome. You’re still thin, but it looks like you put on muscle.” Jonah sat across from him. “You look happy.”

“I’m running more.”

“Good for you,” Jonah said. “I remember when I’d watch you run the races. It was so cool to see you at the end. You made those races look effortless.”

“It wasn’t.” The last he knew, Jonah hated going to the competitions and dealing with the sweaty people. He’d remind Shaun he was bored and hated the inaction while he waited for Shaun to finish.

“You looked great in those little shorts, too.” Jonah laughed and held up his paper cup. “To the races.”

“Sure.”What an odd toast.He slid his gaze over Jonah. He used to think Jonah was so polished. Jonah always had his glossy black hair slicked perfectly back and his dark eyes were always vibrant. He never had a hair out of place or five-o’clock shadow. So pressed and maintained. But now? He seemed almost too perfect. Was he wearing mascara? He’d darkened the bit of gray he’d had at his temples. Did it matter? Jonah was and always had been too much upkeep and drama for him. Shaun liked Kevin’s easy style—not trying to be anyone but himself.

“You’re staring at me.” Jonah raked his fingers through his hair. “Am I okay?”

“You’re fine. Stop worrying.”

“I hate when there’s no order.” Jonah fiddled with his hair again. “Better?”

“It’s good.” He’d learned a long time ago that it was better to placate Jonah than to argue. “Do you have the photos?”

“Yes.” Jonah fished around in his sport coat, then withdrew an envelope. “Here.”

“Thanks.” Shaun tamped down his surprise. Jonah had forked over something. He flipped through the images in the envelope. Three of the pictures were of his mother alone, two were from his parents’ wedding day, two were of his father in a tuxedo and a dozen or so of the images were of Shaun and Jonah together. “What’s this?”

“Us. Those are your copies.” Jonah pointed to one of the images. “Your mom looks so young.”

“She was nineteen when they married.” He shuffled back to the pictures of him and Jonah. “No, these.”

“You don’t want them?” Jonah reached for the envelope.

“That’s not it.” He held firm to the photographs. “I meant, why did you print pictures of us together? We’re not a couple.”

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