Chapter Travis
Travis
“So, are you going to say yes?” I look at Jameson when he asks the question I knew was coming.
He knows I’ve been chatting with Ryan for a while now through an app on my phone—a dating app. And that Ryan asked me to finally meet in person. “No. Of course not.”
“Let me see the picture again.”
I sigh loudly and hold up the phone, showing him Ryan’s profile picture. He’s adorable, really. Blond hair, blue eyes. Petite and slightly nerdy with clear creamy skin and glasses. He’s exactly my type. The nerdy, college twink I’ve dreamed about.
“He’s cute,” Jameson says, and I darken the screen, then drop my phone next to me on the couch.
“He’s very cute.”
“So . . .” He eyes me expectantly. “Why won’t you meet up with him?”
I don’t know how to explain this to him. He may not have loved Kensley as much as the rest of them, but he was resigned to staying there until Garrison mixed it all up for him. Still, he’s completely happy being in Hayes and having never gone to college.
It’s a good life for him, and he’s happy. That’s all that matters.
I, however, am not. Not even close. I wanted so much more, something so different. And when I look at Ryan—the sweet, openly gay college student who wants to be a veterinarian—all I see is everything I’m missing out on.
“He’s in college.” I say, defeated.
“So?” Yeah, Jameson definitely doesn’t get it. “You’re a catch, Trav. And you’re going to college too. Eventually.”
Yeah right. College is insanely expensive. Not to mention living expenses and the cost of moving again. I’m saving as much as I can, but it’s still a pipedream at this point.
Jameson leans back on the couch, kicking his feet up on the coffee table. “I think you should go for it.”
The patio door slides open at the same time he says this, and in walks Oakley, shirtless, with sweat dripping down his ripped abs. “Go for what?”
I ignore him, and Jameson looks sheepish, shrinking back. “Nothing.”
Oakley, being a pain in the ass, doesn’t just drop it like a normal person would. No. He drags his sweaty body to the couch and plops right down.
“Gross, man. You’re going to stink up the couch,” Jameson complains until his equally sweaty man walks in and gives him a big fat kiss on the mouth.
“It’s fucking hot out there,” Garrison says, wiping his brow, but he doesn’t sit on the couch since he’s semi-considerate.
“Why were you both out there?” I have to ask. It’s a particularly hot day, and it’s three in the afternoon, the hottest time of the day.
“They’re building a firepit Oakley saw on Pinterest,” Jameson supplies, and I cock a brow in Oakley’s direction.
“Pinterest?”
He looks annoyed but waves it off. “I’m very creative and wonderful with my hands. There’s no shame in Pinterest.”
I blink in surprise, and Garrison goes to the kitchen, grabbing two beers. “Come on, Oakley. Let’s get this shit done.”
“In a minute,” he says from his spot next to me, and Garrison heads back outside. Oakley turns his attention to me. “So what’s Jameson trying to talk you into doing?”
“None of your business,” I say, but I know Oakley won’t drop it. He gives me those big puppy-dog eyes, even pouting his lips. I huff, “A date.”
“Oh yeah! I’m totally on board with this,” he says happily, and I hate how invested he is in getting me laid. “So, who is it? Huh? A cute little librarian, maybe? A waitress at the diner?”
Jameson laughs, shaking his head at what Oakley assumes is my type, and honestly, I’m not doing this anymore.
There’s no reason I should hide my sexuality. I’m not in high school. I have no plans to go back to Kensley. I haven’t talked to my dad or my mom since I told them I wouldn’t be working on the family farm after high school and was moving to Hayes.
To say they were both pissed off would be an understatement. They were livid I didn’t want to carry on the family legacy.
I grab my phone and unlock it, holding it up to Oakley to show him Ryan’s profile picture. Oakley studies it for a minute, clearly taken aback, and then he looks at me. “You’re gay?” Before I can answer, more words continue to roll out of his mouth. “Or bi? Or pan? Or maybe even demi?”
I’m stunned as I look at him and then back at Jameson. “What the hell?”
Jameson just laughs, shaking his head. “Garrison must have taught him the internet.”
“Fuck you both.” Oakley grabs my phone and looks at the picture and probably Ryan’s dating profile. “My best friend is gay. Of course, I’ve done my research. I’m totally socially conscious.”
“Right,” I say slowly as I take my phone back, my eyes pinned on him to see if this is some kind of joke. But he seems to be totally serious. “I’m gay.”
He doesn’t seem fazed at all. “Cool.” He nods his head toward my phone. “He’s cute. Why don’t you want to date him?”
I can’t believe I’m having this conversation with Oakley Easton. “I do want to date him. I’m just not ready to meet him for an actual date.”
“That makes no sense at all,” Oakley says, and Jameson doesn’t back me up because he seems equally perplexed.
“It does.” I darken the screen again and tuck my phone in my pocket. “I should go.”
“Stick around. We’re going to grill,” Jameson says as I stand and head for the door.
“No, thanks. I’ll see you at work.”
Oakley stands up, his abs flexing when he does. The dude is stacked with muscles. You’d think he’d start to pack on some pounds, now that he’s not playing sports and eats nonstop, but nope. If anything, his muscles have only become more defined this summer.
Not that I’m looking. Seeing naked and half naked guys is something I’m very accustomed to, playing sports every year in school, as is making damn sure not to let my eyes linger.
They were my teammates, not people to ogle.
And I’m sure as hell not ogling now.
“I’ll talk to you later, J.”
“Okay.” He waves to me, giving up on making me stay longer. “But you really should think about giving Ryan that date.”
“I second that,” Oakley says before sliding through the patio door.
I ignore them both and head outside to my car.
Because I don’t need Oakley’s approval or encouragement to finally go after my dream guy.
I just need a little more time to get closer to being his dream guy.
That’s all.