Chapter Fifteen
Slade
It’s Wednesday morning and I’m flat on my back under an old Chevy, working on a leaking transmission cooler line.
The fitting had cracked right where it meets the radiator, and I’m carefully replacing the section with new high-pressure hose and fresh clamps.
My hands are covered in fluid and grime, but my mind is still half-lost in the weekend.
That camping trip with Andrew keeps replaying in my head…
the quiet nights by the fire, the way he looked sprawled out naked under the stars, the raw, open moments we stole in the middle of nowhere.
I really needed that. The ache of not being able to hold his hand in public or kiss him without looking over my shoulder had been weighing on me heavier than I wanted to admit.
Those two days in the woods helped more than I expected.
A throat clears behind me. “Morning, Slade.”
I slide out from under the car on the creeper, wiping my hands on a rag as I sit up. Todd’s standing there holding two coffees.
“Oh, morning,” I say with my usual easy smile .
He holds one out to me. “Got you a coffee from that place you like.”
I frown slightly, taking the cup. “Which place?”
“You know the one… on Main Street by the bakery.”
I stare at the cup for a second. That shop is clear across town from the garage, and from where Todd lives. “You went all the way over there just for this?”
Todd shrugs, a little too casually. “It was no problem, man. Enjoy.”
I laugh softly, still a bit confused by the random kindness. “Yeah… I will. Thanks, T.”
I take a sip. The familiar warm cinnamon and chocolate sprinkles hit my tongue over the frothy top of the latte, exactly how I like it. Damn, it’s good.
I set the cup down on a nearby workbench and slide back under the car, picking up where I left off. The radio is playing low in the background, and I start humming along without thinking, still riding that quiet, warm high from the weekend.
…
A couple hours later the owner of the Chevy strolls into the yard. He walks around the car once. “No more leaks?”
“None,” I confirm. “She’s good to go.”
He pays without complaint, thanks me again, and drives off happily.
I whistle across the open yard. “Pablo!”
Pablo turns his head from where he’s stacking tires and smiles. “You good, boss? ”
“Bring Mrs. Ray’s Mazda inside for its service, please.”
He nods and heads back inside to grab the key. Both ramps are still tied up with longer jobs, so I’ll be on the creeper again. I don’t mind… I spent years working like this before we could afford the lifts.
I’m just about to put the tools I used on the Chevy away, when Larry appears out of nowhere, making me jump. “Oh fuck … Jesus Christ, Larry…”
Larry laughs loud; the big booming laugh he’s always had, and holds his hands up. “Me and Maria were passing by. Thought we’d bring you all some of them baguettes you like.”
I smile, genuinely surprised. “You didn’t have to do that, man.”
Maria rounds the corner a second later, bright smile on her face. “Oh hey, Slade.” She even steps in for a hug.
I pat her back awkwardly. “Uh… hi?”
When she pulls away, she taps the tip of her nose and winks at me. Is that supposed to mean something?
…
We all end up sitting outside at the little shaded table behind the garage, the big umbrella overhead cutting the glare of the afternoon sun.
I’m sprawled back in one of the plastic chairs, legs stretched out, when Maria walks over carrying a pitcher of her homemade lemonade, ice cubes clinking softly against the glass .
She passes me a glassful, and I take a long sip, letting out a satisfied hum. “Mm, perfect as always, Maria… best lemonade in town, hands down.”
She grins. “Oh, I know. That’s why I made some this morning.”
I frown and look at Larry. “I thought you were just ‘passing by.’ How is it that your wife made lemonade for me this morning ?”
Larry freezes slightly. “Uh…” He glances at Maria for help.
I set my food and drink down. “Actually… you’re all acting strange. The lemonade, the baguettes, Todd going across town to get me a coffee before work this morning…”
They all flick their eyes around awkwardly.
Maria finally speaks. “Me and Carla had a coffee date… with Andrew, on Saturday morning.”
I go very still. “That was you he went to see? He said he was hanging out with a couple friends…”
Maria nods. “He… told us everything.”
My stomach drops. I whisper, “What?”
Maria lifts her hands quickly. “Now don’t get angry at him, okay? He doesn’t want you moving three towns over just so you can be open in public.”
I stand up so fast the chair scrapes loudly behind me.
I can’t deal with this right now. I walk away without another word, grab the creeper, and slide straight under Mrs. Ray’s Mazda.
I’m not even working on anything… I just need a second to steady myself.
Fuck . They know; they’ve known all weekend.
Is that why Andrew wanted to get away with me?
To show me how good it would feel to be free like that?
I run both hands down my face, torn between being pissed at Andrew and weirdly relieved that he took the weight off my shoulders.
Todd’s familiar boots appear beside the car. “Dude… come out.”
“I’m busy,” I mutter.
He lets out a knowing laugh. “Why are you hiding?”
“I ain’t hiding. I’m working. You should try it sometime.”
Todd hums, ignoring the defensive snap in my voice. “I’ll get back to work when you get out.”
I sigh, knowing he won’t leave me alone. I slide out and sit up on the creeper, staring at the ground. “Yeah?”
Todd hauls me up and pulls me into a very rare, very tight hug. I freeze for a second before I hug him back.
“Happy for you, man,” he says, voice rough.
“You’ve been through a lot after Lorna. If Andrew makes you happy…
then there ain’t nothing wrong with that.
He’s twenty now, he’s grown into a respectable young man…
going to college, getting his own car, working on himself at the gym, keeping his head down and out of trouble. You’re clearly good for each other.”
We pull apart and I just stare at him, the words hitting me square in the chest. The heavy weight I’d been carrying for months suddenly lifts, like someone just took a steel plate off my lungs. For a second I can’t even speak .
“Really?” My voice comes out rough and a little unsteady. “Just like that?”
Todd shrugs. “Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been entirely confused all weekend, but yeah… it’s no big deal.”
Larry wanders over. “Same here, man. Whatever Todd just said.”
I laugh despite myself. “Did you even hear any of that?”
Larry grins. “Not a word.”
We all laugh, the tension finally cracking.
I clear my throat. “Right, well… bugger off then. It’s still your day off.”
Larry shakes his head, still smiling. “See you tomorrow.”
Todd claps me on the shoulder. “I’ll get started on the Ford.”
I nod… and just like that, my friends know.
Sure, they’ve probably been freaked out all weekend, but having those days away from me with their wives clearly helped them process it.
I can’t wait to get home and thank Andrew for taking that step for us.
Maybe I’ll leave work early, cook him a proper meal, turn it into a little date night.
I grin to myself, pleased, relieved, and completely in love.
The realization slams into me so hard it actually steals the air from my lungs.
I knew I felt it… I’ve known for weeks, maybe even months, but I’ve never let myself put a name to it…
not even in the privacy of my own head. Now the word is there, loud and undeniable, filling every corn er of my chest. I’m in love with him .
And suddenly all I can think about is getting home so I can finally tell him.