Page 67 of Out of the Storm

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Mercifully, the forecast pointed to sunny skies for the rest of the week, providing Jeff with the perfect excuse to head back home early. For the first couple of hours of their trip, Gary and Jeff sat in silence, watching the corn and wheat fields pass by, but then, eventually, Gary put on one of Jeff’s tapes—Nat King Cole—and the sound of one of his favorite singers helped Jeff feel a little more relaxed, every note easing some tension in his body.

When it was lunchtime, Jeff picked a random exit near Joplin, Missouri, and they drove around a bit until they found a small pub right on the edge of a forest, the change in scenery a nice break from the seemingly endless fields of wheat and corn they’d been driving through for hours.

Lunch was more of the same—awkward silence only punctuated by an occasional comment here or there from one of them. Jeff hated every second, and he hated himself even more, knowing it was all his fault.

Once they were finished eating, Jeff threw some cash on the table, exited the pub, and started toward his car. Gary followed, and Jeff could even hear the tension in Gary’s footsteps right behind him.

Until they stopped.

Jeff turned to see Gary studying a sign.

“What’s that?” Jeff asked, starting back toward him.

“It says there’s a little waterfall only a couple miles’ walk from here.” Gary pointed to what looked to be a trail that ran off into the forest behind the pub. “I’d be up for it.”

Pursing his lips, Jeff’s eyes flitted back to the sign. “Hm.”

“What do you think?” Gary asked. “Car break?”

Maybe being out in nature might help his mood. Poor Gary had been a saint so far to put up with his silence and surliness.

“Yeah, sure,” Jeff agreed, attempting a smile.

Gary smiled back, though it looked a bit tight, and then, side by side, the two of them walked along the trail through the woods. Surprisingly, there weren’t any other people on the trail. When Jeff realized that they were alone—a half mile or so from civilization, too—he forced himself to sit with the thought for a few seconds to see if it made him feel uncomfortable. He was in the woods with a man, one who very clearly wanted to have sex with him, and there was no one else around.

Jeff repeated this to himself. Several times. Bracing himself for a wave of panic.

But one never came.

Gary turned to him and smiled, a more relaxed smile this time. And Jeff smiled back.

He wasn’t scared. Not in the least.

They continued to walk. And Jeff continued to think back on their kiss.

Shame trickled up the back of Jeff’s neck, turning his ears hot. Why had he felt so afraid? Because Gary was trying to show him how much he liked him? How much he wanted him? Jefflikedthat Gary wanted him. Helovedit. So, why the hell had he panicked?

More than anything, Jeff wanted the two of them to be together. He wanted to be Gary’s boyfriend. Hell, if he was being honest with himself, he kind of wanted to be Gary’sforeverboyfriend. Didn’t matter that Gary had yet to touch him sexually. Becausethis connection they had, it was special. It was a forever kind of special.

“Hey, Gare?” Jeff said, reaching for Gary’s hand.

Gary’s first reaction was to recoil, and Jeff tried not to collapse in on himself from the punch of pain and humiliation that subsequently slammed into his stomach.

He began to pull back, but Gary stopped him, taking his hand. And their fingers laced together so perfectly, like they were just meant to be right like that. After all the silence and awkwardness and tension from the last day, it felt so amazing.

Jeff sucked in a breath and said, “Sorry for... everything.”

“I’m the one who should be sorry,” Gary mumbled, his voice small.

“No,” Jeff said, squeezing Gary’s hand. “Never be sorry for wanting normal boyfriend shit.”

“I should have been more sensitive.”

“Nah, come on, Gare. It was a perfect moment. Kissing me while we watched a fucking tornado? Dream come true.”

“Yeah?”

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