Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 75871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Still, he ran his fingers through his shaggy, brown hair a few times, sighed, then walked out of the room to meet Vince.
Vince had never met a stranger. They hadn’t been there long, but already, Colby couldn’t count on two hands the number of people Vince had spoken with. Some approached him, others Vince approached. He had this personality that drew people to him. Hell, it must have been more than his personality—his look and this air about him that made people want to talk to him. It didn’t surprise Colby that others felt that way because he did too.
They were standing at the end of the counter, Vince talking to the bartender. The bar was packed, way more people there than Colby would have imagined. He kept trying to find a place to jump into the conversation, but he couldn’t figure out how, or where, so he crossed his arms uncomfortably and stood there like an idiot.
Vince’s gaze darted his way, back to the bartender, then to him again, something changing in his expression. He wrapped an arm round Colby, pulling him close. “This guy has made the transition moving here from Atlanta seamless. Don’t know what I would have done without him.”
There wasn’t a single part of that statement that Colby figured was true. What had he done besides give Vince a place to stay? Plus, Vince’s best friend lived here. Having Holden around had to make things better than having Colby around, but still he smiled, one he felt deep in his chest. True or not, hearing Vince say that made him feel good.
Colby wasn’t sure how to respond but was saved when he glanced up and saw Clint and August coming their way. He pulled away from Vince. “Hey, man.”
“Hey,” Clint replied. “This is crazy.”
“People have come from everywhere,” Vince told them. “It’s not going to stay this busy, of course, but seems like there are a lot of queer folks in North Carolina who want to offer their support to a new place. I’ve met people from Charlotte, Asheville, and Raleigh already.”
“I’m pretty sure he’s met everyone in the bar,” Colby added.
“You only live once, man. I’ve let myself get wrapped up in that asshole again and again, someone who did nothing but fuck with my head. Now I’m going back to focusing on having a good time.”
Colby bit back a growl. While he’d never met Vince’s ex, he hated the motherfucker. He’d broken Vince’s heart twice, something Colby couldn’t wrap his head around. Vince seemed invincible, like nothing got to him. Plus, Colby couldn’t imagine having someone like Vince and hurting them, but then, he’d hurt Lulu. Not in the same ways. Gregory had cheated on Vince more than once. But hurt was hurt, and who was Colby to make assumptions when he didn’t even know how to fall in love with someone.
They ordered drinks, Vince insisting on them going on his tab.
“You don’t have to do that,” Clint said.
Colby playfully added, “You do for me.”
“Who knew he would be so mean to me?” Vince nudged him. “He’s always giving me a hard time.”
“Wait. Me? I think you have this all wrong.”
“How long have you guys been together?” the bartender asked, and Colby’s face flamed. Was it hot in here, or was it just him?
“He’s not… We’re not… I’m straight.”
“Sure you are, sweetie,” the bartender replied.
Colby picked up the glass of beer and took a drink. Why did this guy think he was queer? Was he? No, he would know something like that. How could he not?
Vince changed the subject, asking about dancing, but Colby said no. He felt off-balance, like he couldn’t make sense of some of the things in his life right now. He’d wanted that, was bored by doing the same old thing in Briar County his whole life, but it was overwhelming too.
Vince and August ended up on the dance floor, Clint staying with him. He’d expected as much, just like he knew Clint was going to check on him. Colby had been off lately and wasn’t hiding it well—at least not from Clint…and maybe Vince.
“You okay?” Clint asked.
“Yep. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I don’t know. You seem off. Is it being here?”
Colby bristled. “What? Fuck no. I wouldn’t give a shit about that. I just…hell, I don’t even know what it is or if it’s anything at all, but…have you ever looked at your life and wondered what the point of it is? I don’t mean that in a way that should make you worry about me. I don’t want to hurt myself or anything like that.” He leaned against the bar, watching men dance and kiss and touch. “Sometimes I feel like I don’t know who I am. I know who I’m supposed to be—Colby Covington, the baby of the family, the one who works on the farm, takes care of the apple orchards and crops, the one who struggles with women and figuring out what I want. Who can’t settle down and grow up.” He wondered if he could tell Clint he had no idea how to fall in love with someone, that he couldn’t figure out how to want the relationship everyone around him seemed to want. That’s what people did, but Colby just…didn’t. He couldn’t make himself say it, though. He didn’t want to find out what Clint would think of him if he did.