Adam
God damn it feels good to look at my house and actually see the beginning of an actual house. The framework is done and okay, J was for sure right about Oakley’s crew being amazing. They came out last weekend and helped us get a lot done now that it’s starting to get warmer.
I’m hoping it will be finished by graduation next month. It’ll be the perfect graduation for Zach and myself. Oakley and a few of his guys are coming out later today and I can’t even express how damn grateful I am.
Also—okay a little surprised. Because the guy has grown into an absolute professional and while they don’t build houses for a living they knew what the hell they were doing.
Although Oakley obsessed a hell of a lot about the porch which I wasn’t all that worried about. You know with my house not having actual walls yet and all, but whatever he wants to do is good with me. Free labor and all that.
I’m hoping someday I can pay him back but he swears it’s fine. That he’s more than happy to help out “Little Bates” and just for that I let the stupid ass nickname slide. I do owe him a whole lot.
The house is four bedrooms and two full bathrooms. It’s not an easy feat.
“Looks good, son.” My dad slaps me on the shoulder as we look at the house, standing out on the outside. Zach is still asleep inside the camper and I couldn’t wake him up.
He looked way too damn peaceful and should after coming his brains out not once but twice last night. Once deep inside my throat and the other while I was filling his tight ass with my dick.
I shift a little uncomfortably and try to push away the memories of last night. “Yeah. It’s going to be perfect.”
He smiles and my dad looks almost at peace as he looks at the home he’s helped me build. “You sure this is what you want?”
I turn to him, surprised by the question. “The house?”
“The house.” He confirms. “And the land. The farm. It’s a lot of responsibility.”
“We’ve talked about this most of my life, Dad. You know this is what I want.” My stomach feels a little sick as I worry, “Do you not want me to take over?”
His contented smile puts me at ease quickly. “Of course I do son. I’m proud as hell you want to continue the Bates legacy.” He rubs his hand over his thick beard. “It’s just, Jameson…”
“Didn’t want this.” I say firmly because it’s not secret. I meet his eyes, “But I do. This is all I’ve ever wanted.”
My eyes involuntarily go toward the camper where Zach is sleeping and I smile thinking about my future with him. That is before I meet my dad’s eyes and see that he’s watching me watch the camper like a lovesick puppy.
Shit.
“Well, not all you want right son? There’s a little more to it now.”
My cheeks flame and it’s obvious he knows but I can’t be sure if he’s okay with it or not. It doesn’t matter if he is or he’s not. Just like Jameson I won’t be sacrificing what my heart wants.
But I want to have faith in my father so I stand a little taller. “What do you mean?”
He’s smiling now. Wide and knowing. “I don’t want to make this awkward son, but you and your boyfriend aren’t exactly subtle or stealthy.”
I swallow hard, my cheeks on fire. “I uh….”
He puts a heavy hand on my shoulder and looks directly at me, “I fucked up with Jameson. It’s my biggest regret. I won’t ever make that mistake again with any of my children.”
“But you apologized.” I’m not sure why I’m defending him. He was a total asshole to J.
“Doesn’t matter. You only get one chance at that very first reaction and I should have done better. I just want you kids happy. That’s it. And if you’re happy, I’m happy.”
I can’t contain my goofy smile as my eyes dart over to the camper. “I’m happy.”
He grins and squeezes my shoulder before releasing me. “That’s all I need to hear. I’m proud as hell of you son.”
“Thank you dad.” I say, standing a little taller still, my chest puffing out. It’s weird how badly I wanted to hear that.
Just then a loud rusty truck pulls up and sputters to a stop right by us. I shake my head, “When the hell is he going to get a new truck. He owns his own business.” I gripe and my dad chuckles.
“Don’t be talking about my baby like that.” Oakley says as he hops out. Travis climbs out of the passenger seat and closes the old rusty door with a whine and groan of the metal.
“Your baby is old as hell.” Travis says with his own goofy grin, looking at his boyfriend before his eyes meet mine, “He has a brand new truck, but insists on taking this one.”
“She needs to get some fresh air, damn it.” Some other much newer trucks pull up and guys I know from Oakley’s crew being here last weekend drive up and pull toolboxes and materials out of the truck beds like a well oiled machine.
“Damn, Little Bates.” Oakley swings his heavy ass arm over my shoulder, “This is the way to spend a Saturday, am I right?”
I chuckle and again don’t call him on the stupid nickname. “Thanks for showing up, Oakley.”
“Always.” He winks at me and drops his arm, “Where’s your man?”
“My…what?” I startle and he cackles, tossing his head back while Travis snorts.
He then scolds his dumbass boyfriend, “Leave them alone.”
“Oh come on.” Oakley keeps his voice down as he approaches, my dad is already inside the house with most of the crew, but he seems to have enough sense to double check no one is around. “Tell me you aren’t giving it to him every night in that tiny ass camper.”
“Classy.” Travis says, shaking his head. “Sorry, Little Bates.”
I groan, “Please don’t start that too.”
Travis just laughs and shrugs like there’s nothing that can be done. “We’re together.” I say though. Wanting to confirm it out loud, but then wince when the camper door swings open and Zach walks out.
I have no doubt he’s heard. We’re standing close to the camper and Oakley is fucking loud.
“I fucking knew it.” Oakley say, actually honest to god doing a fist pump like he solved a mystery.
“Oakley….” Travis warns and Zach walks over to me, grabbing my face in his hands and leaving a loud smacking kiss on my lips.
“You called it. Probably the worst kept secret around, but still.” Zach looks into my eyes as he drops his hands and releases me, “We’re together.”
“Knew it.” Oakley says.
Travis snorts, “Actually, J called it months ago, but sure.”
“What?” I look at Travis, “Jameson knows?”
Travis shrinks a little now, “Uh…maybe?”
A laugh bubbles up my throat and leaves my mouth. “Well damn. I guess we really aren’t subtle.” I look at my boyfriend—the love of my life. “Dad also guessed.”
Zach laughs at that and shakes his head. “Well damn.”
But he doesn’t look shaken or all that worried. We just head into the house and get to work, because it seems to me that my parents won’t be surprised in the least when Zach and I move into here together.
And that has me even more excited.
Though I might miss the tiny little camper just a little bit.