Chapter 22
Rhys shouldn’t have worried about oversleeping.
He jolted awake at four thirty. As soon as he remembered he wasn’t home, panic began to overtake him.
No way was he going back to sleep. He never should have stayed with Caleb.
He needed to get home now. His heart thundered as he sat up and started to slip out of bed.
Caleb laid a hand on his thigh. “What’s wrong?” His voice was rough with sleep, and Rhys hated that he’d woken him.
“I should go.”
“What time is it?”
“Four thirty.”
“Come here.” Caleb lifted his arms.
“No, I… This was… I really should just go home.”
Caleb ran a hand through his hair and sat up. “Why don’t you shower here, and I’ll make us some coffee to help you stay awake to drive.”
“It’s only a few minutes down the road.”
“Still. You know you’ll feel better clean and caffeinated.”
“I don’t have any clean clothes.”
“You can borrow mine.”
“I…”
“Go, get a shower. I’ll put some clothes on the bed for you. There are clean towels under the sink.”
Rhys fought the urge to run. He was safe here. And it would be nice to have coffee before heading home to get ready for work. “You should get some more sleep.”
Caleb shook his head. “I’ll be fine.”
“Okay.”
When Rhys stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel, he hurried back into the bedroom.
Caleb had put a blue sweater and a pair of joggers on the bed for him.
He breathed deeply as he pulled the sweater over his head, taking in Caleb’s scent.
The joggers were way too long, but he rolled the waist over and made them fit.
He could smell the delicious coffee Caleb was brewing, but he wasn’t sure even the strongest espresso would have the power to fully revive him after everything Caleb had done to him that night.
Caleb turned toward him when he entered the kitchen. His eyes widened, and he smiled. “I really do like you in my clothes.”
“They’re too big.”
“You still look good.”
Rhys couldn’t handle Caleb complimenting him right then. “Can I help you with anything?”
“No. Sit down.” He gestured toward the couch, the only place to sit in Caleb’s small space.
“Bossy,” he muttered as he did what Caleb said.
“I think you like it.”
Rhys did, when it came from Caleb, but only in bed or here in Caleb’s apartment when it was dark and only the under-cabinet lights were on. It felt good to know that Caleb would take charge and take care of him, that he wasn’t just putting up with him.
He could hear Tessa reminding him that she liked him. She didn’t just put up with him, but sometimes it was hard to remember. Rhys knew he wasn’t easy to deal with.
“Is that a vintage moka pot?” Rhys asked.
Caleb glanced over his shoulder. “It is. I got it at an antique store in Boston.”
“They’re the best. A lot better than the ones they make now.”
“I agree. See? We share some opinions about coffee.”
“I know your drinks are good. They’re just different than what I like.”
Caleb smiled, knowing how big a compliment that was coming from Rhys.
When the espresso finished, Caleb set the pot off the stove. He’d already put sugar and a curl of lemon rind into two espresso cups. He poured the espresso, then handed a cup to Rhys and sat beside him on the couch.
Rhys took a sip of the dark, rich coffee, and his eyes widened. “That’s incredible. I’ve only had espresso Romano a few times, and this is the best.”
Caleb felt warm all over from Rhys’s praise. “I learned how to make it from an Italian friend in Boston.”
“It’s really good.”
Caleb studied him as he drank some more. Eventually, Rhys looked up at him. “What?”
He debated how to answer. “This isn’t easy to say.”
“Just tell me. I can’t stand not knowing.” Rhys was rubbing his hands on his thighs, and Caleb knew he couldn’t keep him in suspense.
“What are we doing?”
“Doing? What do you mean?”
Caleb exhaled. Was he really ready for this discussion? “When we’re done working on the festival. Are you still going to come over? Are we ever going to tell your friends about us?”
“Um… I don’t know.”
Caleb hadn’t expected a clear yes, but he was still disappointed. “Do you want to stop seeing each other?”
Rhys kept his gaze on his cup. “No.”
“Okay, so are we just fuck buddies?”
He winced. “I don’t think… I’m not sure I know how to do that.”
“Then I think it’s time we at least told people we’re working together. I can’t keep pretending I barely know you.”
“I know. That makes sense.”
Caleb waited a few moments for him to say more. “But?”
“But I like us having a secret. I like being with you without anyone else having an opinion or giving me advice.”
Was that really all it was? “I get that, but I don’t like lying to people. I mean, yeah, I see why it’s kind of fun to have a secret, but I’m not comfortable with it anymore.”
“Do you want us to stop?” Rhys looked panicked, and Caleb pressed a finger to his lips.
“I don’t want to stop seeing you. I didn’t mean to start something with someone from town. You know that. We knew what we were getting into, but I like you.”
“I like you too. I don’t know what will happen when everybody knows, but I know it will change things. I don’t want everyone’s opinion about being with you.”
Caleb sighed. “I know, and I really don’t want to be the focus of town gossip, but I also can’t keep lying. Can we at least tell people about our drink entry?”
Rhys closed his eyes for a moment, then looked at Caleb again. “Yes. I’ll tell Tessa in the morning. We won’t need to tell anyone else.”
Caleb could easily believe that. “So everyone will know by the time we go to Jonah’s party.”
Rhys snorted. “Everyone will know by midmorning.”
“That fast?”
“Yes.” He picked up his now empty cup and stood. “I should get going.”
Caleb wished he didn’t have to leave. What would it be like to spend the day together? He hoped he’d eventually find out.
After sitting his cup in the sink, Rhys toyed with the hem of his sweater. “Are you sure it’s okay if I wear this home?”
“Very sure. I wouldn’t mind if you wore it next time I see you. Then I could fuck you while you wear my sweater.”
“Really?”
Caleb pulled Rhys into his arms. “Really. You’d like that too, wouldn’t you. Thinking about it makes me want to keep you here.”
“I can’t stay, but, um… yeah, I think I’d like that.”
“Good.” Caleb gave him a light kiss. “Come on. Let’s go downstairs.”
Caleb made sure Rhys had his picnic basket, then followed him to the door to lock up behind him. “Goodbye, Little Red Riding Hood.”
“Goodbye, Caleb.” He was sure Rhys was blushing, but he couldn’t see in the dim light.
He watched Rhys get into his car and drive away, knowing that if they ended things after the festival, he was going to be a mess. He hadn’t been able to stop himself from falling hard for Rhys.