Page 6

Chapter six

Sawyer

Two weeks later, Sawyer clung tightly to Clayton as the motorcycle roared down the winding road toward the campgrounds. The wind whipped through them as the hum of the engine vibrated beneath him. The thrill of it made his heart race. Clayton, ever the confident driver, leaned into the curves of the road with ease, his leather jacket creaking faintly against Sawyer’s chest. Sawyer couldn’t help but feel a little out of place—his own outfit, a simple flannel shirt and jeans, seemed so plain compared to Clayton’s effortlessly cool vibe. But Clayton had insisted he come along, and Sawyer wasn’t about to say no.

The campgrounds came into view as they rounded a bend, a sprawling expanse of trees and open fields dotted with colorful tents and flags. Sawyer’s eyes widened. He had never been to a Pride event before, let alone gone camping. The idea of both at once was overwhelming, in the best way. His stomach did a nervous flip-flop; the thrill of the moment battling a nagging sense of unease. What if he messed something up? What if he didn’t fit in? He barely had any experience with dating, let alone navigating the vibrant, unapologetic world of Pride. The thought made him grip Clayton a little tighter.

When they pulled into the parking area, Rowan and Mark were already there, unloading a box of supplies from Mark’s car. Rowan’s blond hair was tied up in a messy bun, and their rainbow-striped overalls practically screamed Pride. Mark and Rowan waved enthusiastically as Clayton killed the engine and Sawyer climbed off the bike, his legs a little wobbly from the ride.

“Took you long enough!” Rowan called, grinning. “We’ve got a ton of work to do.”

Clayton laughed, pulling off his helmet and running a hand through his hair. “Relax, Rowan. We’ve got all day. Sawyer and I are here now, so let’s get to it.”

Rowan’s eyes flicked to Sawyer, and his expression softened. “First time at Pride, huh?”

Sawyer nodded, feeling a little self-conscious. “Yeah. I’ve never even been camping before. I don’t really know what I’m doing.”

Rowan waved a hand dismissively. “Don’t worry about it. Pride’s all about being yourself, no experience required. And camping? It’s just glorified sleeping outside. You’ll be fine.”

Clayton clapped Sawyer on the back. “Rowan’s right. Just go with the flow. And hey, you’re with us. We’ll make sure you don’t get lost in the woods or anything.”

Sawyer smiled, but the worry still lingered in the back of his mind. What if he said the wrong thing? What if he accidentally offended someone? He didn’t want to ruin the experience for anyone, especially not Clayton and Rowan, who seemed so at ease here. Rowan introduced Mark to Sawyer.

“I’m going to check on the supplies. Text me if you need me,” Clayton said, his hand lingering on Sawyer’s cheek before he kissed him.

“I’ll be okay.” A blush warmed Sawyer’s face at the unexpected public kiss from Clayton.

As they walked toward the main area, Rowan handed Sawyer a box of rainbow ribbon and fabric. “Here,” he said. “You’re on bow duty with me. We’re decorating all the tents with these. It’s easy—just tie them around the poles.”

Sawyer was grateful for the straightforward task. “I can do that.”

They got to work, and as they tied the first few bows, Sawyer relaxed a little. The sun was warm on his skin, and the sound of laughter and music from other volunteers filled the air. It was impossible not to feel a little of their joy seep into him.

After a few minutes of comfortable silence, Rowan glanced at him. “What’s up?”

Sawyer hesitated, then sighed. “I just…I don’t want to mess this up. I’ve never been to anything like this before. I don’t even know how to…I don’t know, be at Pride. What if I do something wrong?”

Rowan chuckled, tying a bow with practiced ease. “Sawyer, Lodi Pride Camp isn’t about getting everything perfect. It’s about celebrating who you are, whoever that is. Hell, most of us don’t know everything about anything Pride. Just be yourself, and you’ll be fine.”

Sawyer frowned, fiddling with a piece of ribbon. “But what if ‘myself’ isn’t enough? I mean, I’ve never even been on a real date. I don’t know how any of this works.”

Rowan stopped what he was doing and turned to face him fully. “Listen,” he said, his voice gentle but firm. “You’re not here to impress anyone. You’re here to have fun, to connect, to be part of something bigger. And as for dating? It’s not a competition. You don’t need a resume or a checklist. Just be honest, be kind, and the rest will work itself out.”

Sawyer felt some of the tension in his chest ease. Rowan’s words were reassuring, and his confidence was contagious. “Thanks,” he whispered. “I guess I just needed to hear that.”

Rowan grinned and nudged him with his elbow. “Anytime. Now come on, let’s finish these bows before Clayton starts complaining about how slow we are.”

As the two of them worked, Sawyer smiled more, the weight of his worries lifting. Maybe he didn’t have all the answers, and maybe he was still figuring things out, but for the first time, that felt okay. He was here, surrounded by people who accepted him, and that was enough.

Clayton and Mark showed up at the tent area.

“Hey, Sawyer, I want to show you something,” Clayton said.

Sawyer followed Clayton through the maze of tents, the soft crunch of grass beneath their feet the only sound between them. The air was warm, carrying the faint scent of pine and earth, and the distant chatter of other campers felt worlds away. Clayton had been quiet since they left Rowan and Mark behind, his usual confident demeanor replaced with something more thoughtful, almost hesitant. Sawyer couldn’t help but wonder what was on his mind.

When they reached a small, isolated tent tucked away from the others, Clayton paused and turned to Sawyer. “This is ours,” he said, his voice low but steady. He unzipped the tent flap and gestured for Sawyer to step inside.

The interior was cozy, the faint light filtering through the green fabric casting a soft glow. Two sleeping bags were neatly rolled up in the corner, and a small backpack sat in the center, its contents partially spilling out—sandwiches wrapped in clear paper, a couple of water bottles, and a few scattered snacks. Sawyer sat cross-legged on the ground, his fingers brushing against the fabric of the tent as he took it all in. There was something intimate about space, something that made his chest tighten with a mix of anticipation and nervousness.

Clayton sat across from him, his movements deliberate as he pulled out the sandwiches and handed one to Sawyer. “I figured we could eat while we talk,” he said, his tone casual, but Sawyer could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his eyes flicked to him and then away.

They ate in silence for a few moments, the quiet between them heavy but not uncomfortable. Sawyer took a sip of water, his gaze lingering on Clayton as he tried to read the emotions flickering across his face. Finally, Clayton set his sandwich down and took a deep breath.

“I’ve been thinking a lot,” he began, his voice softer now, almost tentative. “About us. About what I want.”

Sawyer’s heart skipped a beat, but he stayed quiet, giving Clayton the space to continue.

“I’ve messed up before with others,” Clayton admitted, his eyes dropping to his hands. “I’ve always needed a lot of space, and I think…I think I let that push others away. I never want to smother you, but I also don’t want to neglect you, especially after what you’ve told me about being fenced in on a farm. And I realize we need to see what you’re comfortable with. I’ll need you to tell me if I’m overstepping or smothering you.”

Sawyer’s chest tightened at the vulnerability in Clayton’s voice.

“I don’t want to pull away anymore,” Clayton continued, his gaze lifting to meet Sawyer’s. “I want to be with you. Really be with you. Not just here at camp, but…after. I want something real. Something monogamous.”

The word hung in the air between them, heavy with meaning. Sawyer felt a rush of emotions—relief, hope, and a flicker of fear. He had waited to hear those words from someone he cared about, but now that they were out there, he couldn’t help but feel a little overwhelmed.

“Clayton…” Sawyer started, his voice barely above a whisper. He set his water bottle down and leaned forward slightly, his hands resting on his knees. “I want that too. I’ve always wanted that. But…relationships are completely new to me.”

Clayton nodded, his expression serious. “I know. And I’m willing to put in the work to get to know you. I don’t want to mess us up, Sawyer. You mean a lot to me already.”

Sawyer felt warmth spread through his chest, bringing on a smile. “You mean a lot to me too,” he whispered. “And I’m ready for us. For everything that comes with it. But…I need you to be patient with me. We’re both figuring this out as we go.”