Concealed Hearts (Hometown Jasper #4) - Nicky James Page 0,65

small plate of various cheeses and meats. “A snack. I won’t cook for a bit. I’m going to clean up, and I’ll join you.” He eyed my computer. “Unless you’re busy?”

“Not at all.” I closed my laptop. “Just entertaining myself.”

When he was gone, I set my laptop aside and sipped my wine. My phone vibrated on the table beside me, and I found a text from Ivan.

Ivan: How’s your vaca in Jasper?

I scanned the terrain, savored another sip of wine, and listened to the shower running from inside the cabin where the man I’d grown overly fond of was cleaning up before preparing us a nice dinner.

Tomi: It’s going well. Better than I expected.

Ivan: You’re not gonna leave us, are you? We need you here.

I chuckled.

Tomi: Jasper is still Jasper. Not sure this town will ever win me back.

But the man showering inside might. I couldn’t tell Ivan that.

Ivan: Glad you’re having fun. Thought I’d touch base. Drinks when you get back.

Tomi: For sure.

It was another twenty minutes before Windsor joined me. He pulled his chair up beside mine and sat, kicking his bare feet up onto the rail. I liked him in cargo shorts and a T-shirt as much as I did when he was in uniform.

I offered him the plate of food, but he waved it off.

“I think I ate my weight in cheese while I was preparing it for you.”

I set the plate aside, and he weaved our fingers together, bringing my hand to his mouth where he kissed my knuckles.

“How was your day?” I asked.

Windsor’s posture shifted, displaying his exhaustion. “It was okay. Hit a wall with the graffiti culprits. Lies and deceit. I’ve given a group of four kids a warning, but that’s about the limit of what I can do without hard evidence that they wielded the spray can. It doesn’t help that both Grant and Felix refused to acknowledge they’re friends.”

I stayed quiet. There were times it felt all too familiar. High school was hard for some kids. If you were gay or didn’t fit in, it was worse. I knew all about it.

“I don’t want to talk about work. So, you’re officially in town in two days?”

“Yes. I reserved a room and have plans for dinner with the family the day after I arrive.” I added air quotes.

Windsor remained quiet.

“This won’t change. I still want to be here. It’s just—”

“I know.” He squeezed my hand, reassuring. “Time is slipping away faster than I expected. I guess I’m stuck on what happens in September. You’ll be back to teaching, and I’ll be here. There won’t be a cabin for vacations. If we see each other, we’d have to risk a hotel room in town, or you’d have to come to my place, which isn’t ideal.”

“We’ll figure it out.” I tugged him closer, and we shared a kiss. “Let’s not dwell on the future and enjoy today.”

“I like that.” He snagged the back of my neck and drew me against his mouth again. “Tonight is reserved for good food, good wine, and good lovin’.”

“I’m in.”

* * *

Two days later, I parked in my parents’ driveway after checking into the hotel room I planned to use as minimally as possible. Mom flew out the door before I killed the engine, Dad behind her. Seeing my parents caused a dull ache inside my chest. Being the oldest meant I was born on a pedestal. Dad had spent my entire youth exclaiming how proud he was of me and how far I’d go in life. I was his prodigy. He’d encouraged me, and when I excelled at school, he’d beamed and bragged to all his friends and customers. “Look at my boy,” he’d say. “He will do great things.”

Shay was ten years younger than me and had always lived in my shadow. He’d struggled in school, and teachers had constantly compared us. I knew that had made life worse for him. I’d envied him for a long time. He hadn’t ever been in the spotlight. He didn’t carry the torch in my father’s eyes. He didn’t have the same pressures. Shay wasn’t always trying to live up to Dad’s growing expectations. He’d been a normal kid without having to fight to be in the ninetieth percentile in school or earn all the awards.

All the pressure Dad had placed on me had only made it impossible to come out when I discovered I was gay. Being gay had never been in my plan. I’d convinced myself Dad would