Chapter 4 #3
“Not very exciting,” Scott admitted. “How about you?”
Justin shrugged even though Scott couldn’t see the gesture. “Kept busy. Poacher got killed in the woods, so we got called out. Then I went for dinner with the guys. Just got home.”
“Still open for putting up with me this week?” Scott asked.
“Of course.” Justin hoped Scott could hear his grin. “Got a plan?”
“I got the final approval and go-ahead for the story about the old mines in the area,” Scott said. “Apparently those rumors about them possibly being repurposed are true.”
“Congrats! We were just talking about that at dinner,” Justin said. “Liam always hears all the news first. Do you have any scoop?”
Scott laughed, a deep, rich sound that went right to Justin’s heart.
“No. Although the stories about them having some shady history appear to be true. That’s not the point of the articles, but it’s interesting.
It’s a grant-funded project, so they want to focus on the positives.
If I focus on how the mines brought newcomers to the region and encouraged local business, I should be able to avoid the ‘dark’ side: the Mob money, what gets left behind, and the pollution. ”
“I agree that staying away from the negatives would be best for safety and for the article. Please be careful. The mines might have closed, but the Mob never seems to go away for long and probably wouldn’t like being mentioned.
I’d still like to hear about those pieces when you’ve got the articles done.
” Justin grabbed a beer from the fridge and settled onto the couch with his phone.
“I don’t remember hearing much about the mines when I was growing up,” Justin added, “but they were shut down by then, and the people who worked there had either moved on to something new, retired, died, or left the area.”
“Folks take that kind of local history for granted because they think everyone knows it until a lot of the firsthand witnesses are gone,” Scott agreed.
“This isn’t the first project to look at the mines.
Some of the earlier ones were written when more of the miners were still alive. But it’s shaping up to be interesting.”
“I hope you’re not planning to hike up there.” Talking about the mines was one thing, but the idea of Scott going close to them made Justin uncomfortable, especially after the shooting and creature sightings.
“No. But the university does want more pictures. And I wanted to tell you up front so you knew. They have a contract with a plane tour company out of Albany and a photographer that I have to use. I’m sorry. I’d rather do the flyover with you. It would be more fun.”
Justin felt a flash of disappointment and buried it, not surprised that the university already had arrangements in place. “That’s okay. I know how those things work. But I want to see the photos.”
Scott laughed. “I don’t plan to get up close, let alone inside. The mine ride at the amusement park always gave me the willies. Thanks for understanding about the school’s contract.”
“Don’t sweat it,” Justin assured him. “I’m not surprised. Big companies and institutions do things their own way.”
“Enough about work,” Scott said. “Do you have plans for when I get there? It feels like it’s been forever.”
Only a week and a half had passed, but Justin agreed that it seemed much longer.
“I have lots of plans.” Justin dropped his voice.
“I want to take you out for a good dinner and show you off to all my friends, then bring you home, and we can try out all the sexy things I think about when I get off before I go to sleep.”
“Oh yeah? Like what?” Scott’s voice was a rumble that went straight to Justin’s cock.
“Get you naked, slowly,” Justin teased. “Explore every inch.”
Scott chuckled. “I like that. What else?”
“I thought we’d make it up as we went.”
“I’m up for some adventure,” Scott said. “But I draw the line at thumb screws and jelly.”
The odd combination caught Justin by surprise, and he laughed. “Do I even want to ask what trauma lies behind that statement?”
“There’s a reason some videos are in the bargain bin, and should be in recycling instead,” Scott said. “I had to bleach my brain.”
“Request noted,” Justin replied. “I promise you, nothing nearly so…unusual.”
They spent the rest of the call talking about everything and nothing, a level of comfort that Justin appreciated and didn’t take for granted.
He’d had too many former dates or short-tenured boyfriends where conversation was a chore and common interests beyond sex were few.
He hadn’t minded in his experimental teenage years and early twenties, but a couple of older lovers had taught him how sexy other levels of communication could be, and he considered that type of connection a necessity in a long-term, committed relationship.
Like the one he was sure he wanted with Scott.
They talked a while longer, but Justin felt the beer and the day’s work sapping his energy, and Scott sounded tired as well.
“I’ll call tomorrow,” Justin promised. “Looking forward to seeing you. And if you come up with other ideas for things you want to do, let me know.” He paused. “I love you.” Saying the words sent a tingle through his whole body.
“I love you, too. And I’ll let you know about any ideas I have.” The warmth in Scott’s tone made Justin miss him even more. “See you soon. Sleep tight and dream of me.”
“You, too,” Justin replied.
He ended the call and sighed staring at his phone. Call it instinct, or magic, or something psychic, but I know Scott is my forever. I already feel more connected to him. Now we just have to pull all the pieces together—the sooner, the better.