Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 86556 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 346(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86556 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 346(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
“You get to use whatever label works for you.” Wes gave him a reassuring smile, the first real one Dustin had seen from him, and it was stunning the way his eyes seemed bluer and his lips fuller when he smiled. “And for the record, and no pressure, I’m all for helping out with the no real-world experience piece.”
Oh fuck. Dustin’s blush had undoubtedly reached thermonuclear proportions. “That...uh...maybe.”
“I can work with maybe.” Wes gave him another encouraging look before moving away to stand in front of a narwhal skeleton. He had on heavy boots, and he moved with the sort of confidence Dustin would expect from someone in law enforcement or an MP—sure, decisive movements. Merely watching him walk shouldn’t be such a turn-on, but it totally was.
“You...uh... How’d you get so comfortable?” Dustin wasn’t sure quite what he was asking, just that he really wanted to know.
“With myself, you mean? Or with bi guys? Or just in general?” Wes’s head tilted like he was trying to decode him.
“All of the above.”
“Well, I’m hardly the poster child for self-acceptance.” Wes’s laugh was cryptic. “I’m not out on duty. Just to a few close friends. Thought I told you that. My family knows, and they’re supportive. But life’s way too short not to feel comfortable in your own skin, regardless of who knows what.”
“Yes.” That was exactly what Dustin had been wrestling with for years—pretending to be easygoing and affable, but deep down never really feeling at home in his own body. “I just wish I knew how to do that.”
“You start.” Wes pointed at the skeleton. “You just own the fact that you’re a big, bad horned creature of mythic proportions. And trust me, I’m no expert at this, but I do know that life’s more fun when I’m honest, at least with myself.”
“That’s what I’ve been trying to do.” Downloading the Joe4Joe app had been part of that process, being honest with himself at least, even if he couldn’t fathom a world where he was open with everyone.
“Good.” Wes nodded like Dustin had passed some sort of test, and the praise felt better than it should have. It reminded Dustin of Wes’s whispered words of encouragement in other circumstances, usually with far less clothing and far less deep conversation. “Did you see this picture of the two narwhals crossing horns? Tell me that’s not amazing.”
“It is.” God, Dustin liked this guy, way more than he should. Loved his enthusiasm for the exhibit and how darn easy he was to talk to about stuff that Dustin never talked to anyone about.
They made their way through the exhibit, Wes providing the same sort of commentary he did when they had a video on in the background while chatting, and gradually, Dustin relaxed more and more. This felt familiar. Easy. Right.
“Didn’t you promise me dinosaurs?” Dustin joked as they came to the end of the narwhals. He was nowhere near done spending time with Wes. Still wasn’t sure exactly what would come after the museum, but he was having too much fun to think too far ahead.
“Right this way.” Wes led him to another massive exhibit hall, this one filled with giant dinosaur skeletons that made Dustin’s inner ten-year-old want to jump up and down with awe. The room was filled with people, many families with young children, but also older couples and tourist groups. He heard at least four different languages as they made their way from display to display. Wes continued his banter about the animals, easy conversation that had Dustin smiling more than he would have thought possible.
As they looked up at a giant T-Rex, a mom with two little boys gave them a knowing smile. Dustin recognized that look as one his mom used on his brother Dylan and his fiancé Apollo all the time. The “you’re so cute, I can’t hardly stand it” look. And it was a stare he’d never once coveted.
“You’re frowning,” Wes observed in a whisper, following his gaze.
“Is this... Are we...?” Hell, Dustin hated how little control he had over his tongue today. He was used to being firm and commanding, not this tongue-tied nervous wreck.
“It’s only a date if you want it to be,” Wes soothed. “And trust me that ninety-nine percent of people here couldn’t care less what we’re up to.”
Dustin knew that, but it was hard to shake the feeling of all eyeballs on him. Wes, however, radiated comfort, the same way he did when they talked about this stuff online, made Dustin feel like less of a freak show.
“The museum is closing in twenty minutes,” a speaker blared.
“Dang. Forgot that they usually close at 5:30.” Wes’s guarded look was hard to decipher.
It would be so damn easy to wish him well right here and head out, but instead Dustin found himself saying, “How about that beer?”