Travis
“Damn, this is cool,” I say, impressed with Oakley’s design and work as we stand in the backyard of Ms. Weaver’s house.
It’s a beautiful stone firepit, with a half-circle, soft-stone bench seat around it and a colorful stone walkway from the house. He topped it off with fresh, green plants and lights to illuminate the path.
“Right?” He’s beaming as he looks at his work—well technically, our work. Garrison and Jameson are here too. It was a big job, and we got it done fairly quickly.
We’ve had quite a bit of business since March when Mrs. Culbertson started spreading the word. We might have enough to start our own business very soon. Word has been spreading out of this town and several over.
Yesterday, on our Saturday, we drove two hours to complete a job, and we’re booked up all through the summer.
It’s good money. But most of all, I’ve had a lot of fun booking the jobs and giving estimates. Planning it all out while Oakley does the designs. We make a really good team.
J and Garrison start cleaning up, and I walk to Oakley’s side. We haven’t really talked much about what we are to each other or what the future holds. I know we should. I know I want to, but I’m afraid.
And I think, for once, he might be also because he hasn’t brought it up either. “What’s your biggest dream, Oakley?” I ask quietly, standing next to him.
He’s still staring at our work but looks deep in thought. “You know I’m simple.”
“Simple can be good.” And I mean that. I never thought I’d want simple and easy. I fought so hard my whole life for what I thought I wanted and didn’t see I was overcomplicating things.
He smiles at that but doesn’t look at me. It’s not that things haven’t been good with us. They’ve been very, very good, in fact. I haven’t spent one night at my place since I told him my date with Ryan was a dud. I’ve spent every night in his bed.
We have breakfast together every morning. Go to work together. Come home together. And that’s really what it’s become—home, even though we haven’t made it official yet. We sure seem like a couple.
I want to be an official couple, but something is holding him back. I can feel it. And I’m too chicken to ask what it is.
“I just want the backyard and the porch swing.” I swallow thickly, listening to his dreams and his voice full of wonder.
“I want to build a house and work.” He sweeps his hand in the direction of his newest project.
“Just like this, every single day I can. I want to go to football games and hang out with friends. I want a simple, easy, happy life.”
I lean against his side, not even caring that we’re both sweaty. “That sounds nice. Really nice.”
I mean it too. I never thought I would, but I do. The way he paints that life is absolutely beautiful. It’s something so many people would kill for. Something so many would scoff at until they were in it.
So many people like me. Because now that I’m pretty much living that life he described, I’m happier than I’ve ever been.
I’ve never wanted to stop fighting as much as I do now. I always thought I had to battle to get what I wanted, but then what I wanted wasn’t what it seemed. I’m tired. And I don’t want to do that anymore.
I open my mouth to tell him that, but he turns to me and presses a quick kiss against my lips. “We should help them clean up before they get pissy.”
He’s smiling, but I can tell he wants to change the subject. That for some reason, he doesn’t want my reply.
I hope I’m not wrong about us.
I hope what we have is forever.
Because I really want my forever to be with Oakley Easton.