Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 102282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
“Nah. Grandpa needs me here. I can’t leave him alone, and the band moved on. They’ve got a new drummer now.”
“They’re good, but they’re not the only indie punk band out there.” Renzo’s voice was warm and encouraging. He sounded like Grandpa, though, telling him to find a new group.
“I guess. I’ve dabbled some with sitting in with some local groups—can’t take the drummer out of me altogether. But it’s not the same.” Not liking this line of discussion, he went back to watching the scenery shift to more and more dry desert. “Besides, I like school. Luckily my schedule is all Monday/Wednesday this term, and we’re off this Monday—I would have hated missing class for this thing. Summer term starts soon too. I’m so ready to be done with this degree.”
“Are you graduating soon?”
“December if all goes well, and I, you know, pass my classes.”
“You will.” Renzo’s confidence made Canaan need to swallow hard, not sure he deserved that kind of belief. He started fiddling with Renzo’s stereo.
“I made a playlist,” they both said at the same time, and Canaan had to laugh.
“I knew I liked you.” He made the stereo switch to Renzo’s phone, which was already plugged in. “How about we listen to the playlist of whoever’s driving? We can start with yours, then switch to mine when we trade drivers.”
“We can switch playlists whenever, but I’m driving. Seven hours is nothing.”
“What? I don’t get to drive the truck?” Canaan faked being wounded because joking around was far easier than letting Renzo know how much his support of Canaan’s ambitions meant. “What happened to being a good boyfriend?”
“I’m a great boyfriend. But I’m driving.”
“So a good boyfriend meets the fam, but doesn’t let me touch the truck. I get you now.” Canaan shook his head. “But speaking of boyfriend stuff...”
“Yeah?” Renzo sounded suddenly wary.
“I don’t wanna make you uncomfortable, but is it okay if I touch you? Like minor PDA stuff? I’m a kinda touchy guy especially around close friends, but I can back it off if it’s not your thing.” I really want to touch you would probably have been the more direct route to take, but framing it as part of the fake-boyfriend thing was easier than putting himself out there.
Renzo flushed and took his time replying, waiting long enough that Canaan started counting RVs they were passing. “I...uh...”
“Not your thing. I got you.”
“Didn’t say that. I like...touching. Within reason. Don’t go planting one on me without warning, okay? I’d rather not have our first kiss with an audience, you know?”
“I can totally work with that.” Canaan all but started chair dancing at Renzo’s implied assumption that there would be a first kiss at some point. “And just so you know, I’d be game for getting that kiss out of the way when we stop for gas. Or whenever.”
Only the fact that they were going seventy-odd miles an hour stopped him from proposing that now would be a good time.
“Noted.” Renzo’s voice sounded strangled.
“Um. Dude. Don’t take this the wrong way...but have you kissed a guy before?”
“Yeah.” Renzo stared straight ahead, not sparing him a glance. “Not like a whole soccer team or anything, but there’ve been a few. Same thing with women—some. I’m not keeping a little black book or anything, but I’ve been around.”
“Hey, I’m not judging.” Canaan held up his hands. “I wouldn’t mind being the first. Just wanted to know what I was dealing with. I’m pretty sure I’d be a good teacher if you needed an Intro to Man-on-Man Action class.”
“I don’t.” Renzo continued being way more defensive than he needed to be, even with Canaan’s teasing.
“What? Am I coming on too strong? Or do you not like sex? If you’re ace, that’s cool—”
“I’m not ace. I like sex fine.”
“Excellent. Me too. And just so we’re one-hundred percent clear, I’m totally down with banging sometime this weekend. What do you think?” Canaan kept his voice light, even as every cell in his body awaited Renzo’s reply.
* * *
Renzo liked how forthright Canaan was, he really did. He enjoyed not having to guess what Canaan was thinking or having to figure out what he wanted. If there was one particular part of dating he didn’t like, it was trying to play mind reader. So okay. It was very...refreshing that Canaan was up front about wanting to get it on. And certain parts of Renzo were absolutely on board with Canaan’s plans. The other parts, however, were left wondering if he needed Canaan’s “class” after all. And those parts stayed silent long after Canaan asked his question.
“So, uh, that’s a no?” Canaan’s voice seemed to sag a bit. “That’s cool. I won’t—”
“Why does sex have to be so freaking complicated?” Needing to focus on driving kept Renzo from beating his head against something. He risked a glance over at Canaan, who gave a slow blink.