Page 4

Chapter four

Sawyer

Sawyer followed Rowan through to the kitchen, stopped for two bottles of beer from the refrigerator and then went through the sliding glass doors. Sawyer’s eyes widened as he took in the yard. The space was surrounded by tall leafy trees and colorful flower beds lined the edges of the yard. A sparkling pool sat in the center, its water rippling gently in the breeze. Around it, sturdy lounge chairs were arranged. Sawyer had never been in such a beautiful place, and the tranquility of the area surprised him. A reflection of Clayton himself—calm, put-together, quietly beautiful.

Rowan plopped down into one of the chairs, stretching his legs out with a satisfied sigh. “Isn’t it beautiful back here?” Rowan gestured to the chair beside him. Sawyer hesitated for a moment before sitting, his gaze drifting over the yard again. It felt strange to be here without Clayton, but Rowan had insisted it was fine. Clayton was at work, and they had the place to themselves for a while.

“So,” Rowan began, leaning back and tilting his face toward the sun, “are you and Clayton a thing?”

“I wish. No, we just met. He helped me out with a bad situation at work and offered to let me stay here and chill out for a while.”

“I’ve never known Clayton to bring anyone to his home. Literally never. Mark said he doesn’t have boyfriends. He gets a hookup for the night and that’s it.”

“I’ve never had a boyfriend.” Sawyer paused, feeling safe. “Wouldn’t dare where I’m from.”

“Are you sure you’re gay?”

“Yes, that much I know, but I’d like to do something about it now that I’m in charge.”

Sawyer trusted Rowan right off and he loved how he took risks to do what he wanted in life. All his talk of dancing gave him ideas. He had danced alone in front of his mirror and maybe he could go out with Rowan and Mark.

“Clayton doesn’t have anyone, and you’re right here in his house. He’d be a good one to start with.”

“I don’t know if Clayton would be interested in me.”

“Of course he would be and is. Look where you are. Here. In his house. He didn’t have to bring you here. There’s something about you that attracted him to you. Maybe your red hair and freckles.”

“It’s weird how I ended up here. I can’t believe it myself.”

“What do you think of Clayton?”

Sawyer blinked, caught off guard by the directness of the question. “What do I think of him?” he echoed, stalling for time. “I mean, he’s…he’s great. He’s kind, smart, and hot, very hot. He’s got this way of making people feel comfortable, you know? Like he really listens when you talk.”

Rowan smirked, his eyes still closed. “Yeah, he’s a good catch. Like, a really good catch. And honestly, I think you two would be good together.”

Sawyer’s cheeks warmed, and he looked down at his hands. “You think so? I mean, I like him. A lot. But I don’t know if he sees me that way.”

“Oh, he does,” Rowan said, opening one eye to glance at Sawyer. “Trust me. Clayton’s not the type to bring someone home. Even Mark thinks he’s interested in you.”

Sawyer’s heart skipped a beat, but he tried to keep his expression neutral. “Even if that’s true, I don’t know how to…I don’t know, get his attention. Not in a way that matters.”

Rowan sat up, turning to face Sawyer fully. “Here’s the thing about Clayton: he values honesty above everything else. He can’t stand people who play games or pretend to be something they’re not. If you want to get his attention, just be yourself. Be real with him. He’ll respect that.”

Sawyer nodded slowly, considering Rowan’s words. “Be myself. That sounds easy enough, but…what if he doesn’t like who I am?”

Rowan laughed, an easy sound. “Trust me, he already does. You’re not like the people he usually meets. You’re genuine. That’s what he likes about you. Just…don’t overthink it. Talk to him. Spend time with him. Let him see the real you.”

Sawyer smiled faintly, feeling a little more confident. “Okay. I can do that.”

The two fell into a comfortable silence, the sound of rustling leaves and distant birds filling the air. Sawyer leaned back in his chair, letting the breeze cool him. For the first time in a while, he felt hopeful he could behave like other people. Maybe Rowan was right. Maybe Clayton was interested in him. And maybe, just maybe, he could show Clayton how he felt.

“Go to the Lodi Pride Camp with him. He kept telling Mark he was looking for someone to bring this time.”

The sound of the gate creaking open startled Sawyer out of his thoughts. He turned to see Clayton stepping into the backyard. He looked tired but smiled when he saw them.

“Hey,” Clayton said, his voice warm. “I didn’t know you two were hanging out back here. Good choice.”

Rowan grinned, standing up and stretching. “We were talking about you, actually.”

Clayton raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting to Sawyer. “Oh? Should I be worried?”

Sawyer’s face flushed, and he glanced away. “No, nothing like that. We were just…talking.”

Clayton chuckled, setting his helmet down on one of the chairs. “Well, I hope you said nice things.”

“Only the best,” Rowan said, clapping Clayton on the shoulder. “Anyway, I should get going. You two have fun.”

“Hey, Rowan, it was great meeting you.”

“Same and we’ll get together.”

With that, Rowan headed for the gate, leaving Sawyer and Clayton alone in the backyard. Sawyer’s heart raced as Clayton sat down in the chair Rowan had vacated, his expression relaxed but curious.

“So,” Clayton said, leaning back and looking at Sawyer, “what were you two really talking about?”

Sawyer hesitated, then took a deep breath. “You,” he admitted, his voice soft but steady. “Rowan thinks I should…go to the Lodi Pride Camp with you.”

Clayton’s eyes widened slightly, and a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Is that so? And what do you think?”

Sawyer met Clayton’s gaze, his nerves melting away as he remembered Rowan’s advice. “I think…I’d like to. If you want me to go.”

Clayton’s smile grew, and he reached over, placing a hand on Sawyer’s arm. “I very much want you to go with me and be my partner at Lodi Pride Camp.”

For the first time, Sawyer felt like everything might just fall into place.

“Partner? What does that mean for us?”

“Together. We’ll share a tent and do activities together like a couple. Do you want to do that, or do you want to go single and look around for another partner?”

“I want you to be my partner at camp. I don’t want to be with anyone else.”

“Deal. Now, it’s late. Let’s get some sleep and tomorrow, we’ll get you some things you’ll need for camp.”

“Thanks.”

“Tomorrow I’m taking you to breakfast, and we’ll get to know each other. I’d love to talk to you all night, but we have a lot to do.” Clayton stood, then Sawyer followed him down the hall.

When Sawyer reached his room, Clayton pressed his hands against the door, leaned down, and gently kissed him. It was a tender kiss, a silent promise passing between them. This was Sawyer’s first kiss, and the sweetness of it left him breathless and utterly captivated.

“Night, Sawyer. Sleep well.”