Page 71 of Peach Tree Family

Once the cookie was made and divided up between the kids, Theo told Seth, "You did a good thing."

"Our neighbor's granddaughter made one of these when she visited. She's a college girl and she only had a hotplate to work with at her dorm."

"I see," Theo said and tried not to let his imagination get away from him where Seth and this girl were concerned. He just wished he could stop noticing how great Seth was. He wasn't just hot. He was helpful and kind. And also afraid of people thinking he was gay.

***

It seemed funny to Seth that they had a party just because he got a job. Everybody was telling him they were glad he would be sticking around. Only Theo didn't tell him that, but he also didn't tell him to get the hell out.

Once everyone was gone, they cleaned up together though Theo kept wanting to do it all himself. But even as they worked side by side, Seth couldn't tell where things stood between them.

Then they were sitting at the table in the living room after Ace went to bed and Theo suddenly asked, "Did you have a thing with that college girl you mentioned?"

"What? No. She just showed me how to make that cookie," Seth said, surprised.

"It's none of my business," Theo said with a shrug and turned back to his iPad. But then he put it down and looked lost in thought. "When I was sitting with Ace as he was going to sleep, I put my hand on his hair and I remembered something – how our mom used to smell Ace's head when he was a baby. She would cuddle him and say, 'You got to smell his head. It's the best thing in the world. Better than cookies baking. I swear it.'"

Seth smiled. "She loved you guys like crazy, huh." He looked over at the shelf that held the photo of their mom and dad sitting on a swing on their wedding day. "Your folks make weddings look like fun."

"I guess they can be," Theo said like he didn't feel one way or the other about them.

"I just remember my dad saying weddings are for fools, it's all a big act and a waste of money."

"Do you think that too?" Theo asked him.

"Never really thought about it. I guess they're alright," Seth said, but he was really thinking that they seemed kind of nice, everybody celebrating together, wishing the couple a happy life.

"What about gay weddings?" Theo said reminding him that he thought Seth was prejudiced.

"Aren't they the same as other weddings?" Seth asked. It's not like he knew anything about them. "There's still cake and all that."

"Cake? What are you a kid?"

"Cake is important. Cake with ice cream is even better. That's what I'll have if I ever get married," Seth said and Theo looked like he wasn't sure if he was just messing with him.

For a while Seth didn't say anything and he realized he was just staring at Theo. Looking away quickly, he got up and paced the living room aimlessly. But soon he found himself standing behind Theo, who was sitting at the table with his iPad set aside.

Now Seth was dying to touch his hair, bury his face in it, then pull Theo down to the floor and...

That couldn't happen, not while Theo thought he was no good and only wanting to use him. He had to keep his hands off. But even knowing that it would make Theo think even less of him, it was a struggle against temptation like Seth had never known.

Theo was right there, so close, so beautiful. Not touching him was painful, and still Seth was confused about things. Why were his feelings for Theo so strong?

"I heard about a place in town," he said after taking a few steps back.

Turning around to face him, Theo was confused. "A place?"

"A room I can rent above the hardware store. Now that I have a job..."

Theo stood up angrily. "You have a job, but you're still leaving?" His voice got too loud and they both glanced toward the bedroom where Ace was sleeping.

"I think it's best. I need to stand on my own two feet."

Theo didn't let him say anything more, just walked away.

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