Page 71 of Antagonist

“Do they inspire your paintings?”

“Sometimes. I can also use them as tools. Leaves and sticks make for great stencils.”

“Can I ask you something? You don’t have to answer,” I say.

“Sure.”

“Do you feel like you missed out on some experiences growing up?”

Fletcher leans his head against my shoulder as we walk, and I think he might not answer my question.

“You always want what you don’t have. That’s just human nature. I had incredible opportunities, but I guess I also wanted some structure because I didn’t have any. My parents nurtured my talent for painting, but…”

We come to a dock and walk to the end, sitting on the edge.

Fletcher leans against me again, and I love that he likes to keep some kind of physical contact.

I give him the space to form his own thoughts because I don’t think that’s all he wants to say.

“When I was seventeen, something happened to Levi, and he got expelled from school. He left Stillwater and didn’t return until a few months ago. I knew nothing about it until he was already gone. I never had any problems coming out to my parents. They knew I was bisexual long before I could even understand it myself. Apparently, as a kid, I went between saying I was going to marry a boy one week to a girl the next.”

I laugh because I felt the same. I just didn’t have anyone that cared enough for me to come out to.

“You wanted to be there for Levi,” I say.

“Yeah. I'm glad he's back, and he’s really happy with Arlo. Liv missed him so much. But whenever I think about the past, I always regret that I wasn’t there for him or any other of my friends that may have gone through similar stuff.”

“Are there more?”

He plays with the rock he picked up earlier. “Yes. One of my best friends, Jayden.”

Fletcher doesn’t say anything, so I consider the topic closed for now. He can tell me more whenever he’s ready.

“How about we head back to the cabin before it gets dark?”

“Sure.”

I stand and hold out my hand to him. As I pull him up, a bird comes out of nowhere and flies close enough to Fletcher that he flounders, losing his footing. I try to pull him away from the edge of the dock, but my foot slips, and we both end up in the water.

“Fuck me, this is cold,” he says, laughing once we come up for air.

There’s no saving our clothes or Fletcher’s treasures. I’m just glad we left our phones at the cabin.

I pull Fletcher closer and tap his ass.

“Hey!” he complains but wraps his legs and arms around me.

“Just making sure we haven’t lost the keys.” I grab them from his back pocket and hook my finger through the key ring.

“I’m just making sure I haven’t lost you,” he says, holding tighter and kissing me.

The lake water is cold, but my body feels warm as his lips suck mine until his tongue seeks entry into my mouth.

Something touches my leg.

“What the fuck was that?” I cry out while Fletcher laughs.

“Probably a piranha.” He pinches my sides.