Mitch
MITCH WAS thrilled when Craig said he wanted to drive, because he was dealing with a damn high school marching band in his head. Not to mention he was also reeling from all that had happened that morning. He couldn’t believe he’d told Craig he was interested in someone. Now what was he going to do when Craig asked?
“Oh, it’s you. I’ve been in love with you for years.”
Right. That wasn’t going to happen.
“We’re going to be driving awhile. Why don’t you try and sleep?” Craig suggested as he plugged his phone in and pulled up a playlist. “Walk the Moon” started playing through the speakers.
“You’re not going to get an argument from me,” Mitchell admitted as he settled in, leaned the seat back, and closed his eyes. His phone pinged, but he ignored it, choosing to sleep.
When the car stopped, his eyes fluttered open to find they’d pulled up at a station.
“Need gas,” Craig said. “Want anything from inside?”
Mitchell rubbed his eyes. “Yeah, but I’ll get the gas first. You drove. It’s only fair,” he pointed out when Craig started to protest.
He hopped out of the car and ran his card through the gas pump. There was still about half a tank, so it didn’t take too long to fill up. He passed Craig on his way in.
“Grabbed a couple of drinks and some Twinkies,” Craig said, showing him the plastic bag.
“Yum. I’m going to get some beef jerky and I’ll be out in a sec.”
He decided to use the men’s room while he had the chance and was relieved it was cleaner than most gas station bathrooms. When he walked out into the heat, a soda and beef jerky in his hands, Craig had pulled up to the door.
Mitchell slid in and smiled at the air-conditioning. “Thanks. Damn, when did it get so hot?”
“Temp has been rising all morning, just like every other day this month. Supposed to be a scorcher later today and tomorrow.”
“Guess it’s a good thing we’re going to the lake, huh?”
“Yeah.”
Mitchell’s phone pinged again and he pulled it from his pocket. He had several messages from Adam.
When will you guys be in Osage Beach?
Where should I meet you guys? So excited!
Did you change your mind?
Shit. At least let me know if I should head back home.
What the fuck? He scrolled up and his heart fell to his gut. Shit. He didn’t remember texting Adam at all. It looked like it was around midnight when he’d done it.
Mitch: Adam help me. I can’t be around him anymore. I’m losing it. I want to tell him how I feel.
Adam: Then tell him.
Mitch: I can’t. Join us tomorrow? We’re going to Osage Beach for the day and then to Branson I think. Please????
Shit. He’d invited Adam on the trip without talking to Craig.
“What’s wrong?”
Mitch nearly jumped out of his skin. “Fuck!”
“Whoa. Sorry,” Craig said carefully.
“No, you’re fine. It was me. I’m… crap… I’m just going to tell you, okay?”
“Okaaay,” he drawled out. “What is it?”
Mitch took a deep breath and let it all out. “Last night, when I was drunk—and I don’t remember doing this, but it’s on my phone—apparently I invited Adam to join us in Osage Beach. That explains his earlier text when I thought he was just goofing around.”
Craig stayed quiet as one song ended and another began. “Why?” he finally asked quietly.
“Why did I invite him? I was drunk,” Mitch answered.
Craig’s jaw twitched, and he kept his eyes on the road. “I know that. But why did you invite him? What did you say to him?”
Shit. He wants to know what I texted.
Mitch shrugged, going for nonchalance and knowing he was failing. “Who knows why I did it. Like I said, I was drunk.” He turned to look out the window as they drove in silence. He wasn’t really sure why Craig was so upset anyway or why he’d insisted on it just being the two of them. Yes, they were best friends and it was a way to say goodbye, but didn’t he know Mitch couldn’t say goodbye? That Craig was taking his heart with him when he moved to California?
Last night, when Craig had asked Mitch to go with him to California, he’d known Craig hadn’t meant it. He was just going to miss their friendship. But Mitch had images of sharing the apartment, their life, together, not as roommates, but as lovers—even husbands someday.
He had to find a way to let Craig go. And maybe having Adam join them wasn’t the worst idea. Mitch had thought about inviting him anyway.
“Text him back and tell him we’ll let him know when we get there and where we’ll be.” Craig’s voice was tight. Clipped.
“Okay. Do you think we’ll stay there tonight? Or head into Branson?” They’d never really talked about it.
“Guess we’ll see what Adam wants to do.”
Okay. So Craig was definitely pissed at Mitch. Hell, he was pissed at himself too. He’d fucked up their trip all because he was too chicken shit to admit his feelings. But why was Craig so mad? The idea that Craig might have feelings for Mitch gnawed at him. Maybe their “fooling around” meant more than Craig had said. And if so, why didn’t he just tell Mitch? Because he’s as scared as I am. Maybe he should just tell Craig. His heart hammered in his chest as he thought about that. Maybe he should just face his fear and get it over with.
“Craig?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you want to know who I’m interested in?” Mitch tried to keep his voice light, but his breathing was a little shaky.
“No.”
Well, fuck. Mitch looked out the window as the world passed by and yelled at himself inside his head. This was going to go real bad.
AFTER WHAT seemed like endless hours of driving in silence, the only sound the music coming from the speakers, they finally arrived in Osage Beach. The roads were long and winding, forests often butting up on both sides for miles. The scenery had been beautiful at times, but Mitch was grumpy and getting hungry again. The silence filling the car was driving him crazy. Mitch pulled out his phone and looked for a restaurant they could stop at and found a bar & grill not far from where they were.
Craig agreed to stop there, so Mitch shot a quick text to Adam to let them know where to meet.
Great. I’m really close. Stopped at a shopping center. Be there soon.
Mitch relayed the message as they pulled into the parking lot at the restaurant. His stomach growled, and he smiled. “Hope this place is good. I’m starving.”
“Yeah.”
Okay. They were down to one-word answers, but at least Craig was speaking.
They made their way inside, found an empty booth, slid into opposite sides. The place was a typical grill; pictures of athletes and various photos of food dishes hung on the wall. Square tables dotted the room, while booths lined the front and side walls. Their booth looked out over the parking lot, so Mitch kept an eye out for Adam and tried to ignore the ripped vinyl he was sitting on. The tear was across the entire seat, so it wasn’t like he could just scoot over.
“You going to tell me why you invited him?”
Mitch looked up and froze at the intensity in Craig’s eyes. Heat spread through him as he worked his mouth, trying to get the words out, but the way his friend was looking at him was hot as fuck. There was no way he was mistaking the anger in his eyes, but he saw something else too. Desire. Lust. Heat. Mitch’s belly flipped and his dick plumped up in his shorts, rock-hard in seconds. He couldn’t tear his gaze away. He was frozen.
And then Craig’s lips curved up into a sexy little smile—like he knew exactly what he was doing to Mitch. The fucker.
Mitch’s took a deep, shaky breath. It was now or never.
“I—”
“Can’t believe you guys went on a road trip without me,” Adam exclaimed as he slid into the booth next to Mitch.
He gaped at his friend. The timing could not have been worse. One look across the table and he could see Craig wasn’t happy either. Those sexy lips were turned down in a frown now.
“Hey, Craig.” Adam flicked his blue eyes between the two men, his brow furrowed. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah,” Mitch lied as his friend clapped his shoulder. He shot a look at Craig and bit his lip, lightly shrugging.
“You guys order yet?”
“No, not yet.”
“Burgers smell good. Love a good greasy burger from a small grill like this.”
Adam kept up the chatter, not really giving them a chance to talk. Mitch was used to it. He’d known Adam forever, and he’d always been a talker.
He pulled his phone out and discreetly sent a text to Craig.
Sorry.
Mitch shot a little smile across the table when Craig’s phone pinged and he read the message. Adam chattered on, oblivious.
You going to answer me?
Fuck. He still wanted that answer. Mitch chewed on his lower lip while he thought about it. Hell. It was time. He’d been ready to tell him just a few minutes ago.
Mitch: Yes.
Craig: ???
Mitch: Not on the phone.
Craig rolled his eyes and slid his phone back into his pocket, and Mitch breathed a sigh of relief. He had a small reprieve.
Their teenage waitress showed up and took their orders, all of them going for the basic cheeseburger and fries.
Adam leaned his elbows on the table. “So what’s the plan, guys? Where to?”
“We hadn’t really planned too much here. We thought about hitting some of the outlets and doing a little shopping,” Craig answered. “But we hadn’t decided if we want to spend the night here or go straight to Branson.”
“How long to Branson from here?”
“I think a few hours. Maybe two and a half?” Mitch offered.
“Don’t you guys want to hang at the lake? Maybe rent a cabin?”
“Or we could rent a motel room at Branson and just hang there for a few days. Might be better than staying one more place and packing again,” Craig mused.
Adam cocked his head and looked at the guys. “Actually, maybe that would be better.”
“Mitchell?”
God, every time he heard Craig say his name, his skin heated. “I’m good with that. But I do want to hit the outlet stores. Looking for some new clothes for work.”
Craig turned to gaze out the window, his lips pressed into a flat line.
Their food arrived before anything grew too awkward, and then they were too busy eating to really talk. Adam was right. The burgers were great.
His phone pinged, and he slid it out and read the message from Craig.
Ride with me to the outlets.
He didn’t text back but stared across to Craig until he caught his eye and then nodded.
Adam finished up and slid from the booth. “I’m heading to the men’s room.”
Mitch figured it was a good idea, so he followed him.
As soon as the door shut behind them, Adam whirled around and grabbed his arm. “What the hell is going on?”
Mitch furrowed his brow. “What do you mean?”
“Shit, Craig’s staring at you like he wants to devour you. It’s all over his face.”
His skin prickled as hope filled him. If Adam was seeing it, too, then Mitch wasn’t misreading the signs. “Is he?” he asked, playing ignorant.
“There is no way you can’t see that. If I wasn’t here, I feel like you guys would be jumping on each other.”
Mitch’s heart hammered in his ears. “Adam, you’re wrong.” Wasn’t he?
“Whatever. When I got your text, I thought you needed an out. But it looks like you’re doing fine. Does he already know how you feel? Did you finally tell him?”
Mitch shook his head as he unzipped and used one of the urinals lined up on the back wall. Adam joined him and stayed quiet until they were at the sinks washing up. “I think you’re wrong. He’s got it bad for you. I’ve thought that for a long time but wasn’t ever completely sure.”
Mitch gaped at him. “Why didn’t you ever say anything? You know I’ve been crazy about him for years. Years, Adam!”
“Because I wasn’t sure and didn’t want to give you false hope. Besides, I always thought you guys would figure it out.”
“He wants me to ride with him to the outlets,” Mitch admitted quietly.
Adam held the door open for him and ushered him out with a grin. “Somebody wants some Mitch time.”
Mitch flipped him off, but Adam only laughed.
They all paid and agreed to meet in front of American Eagle Outfitters at the outlet mall up the road.
When Mitch slid into Craig’s car, he was so nervous he swore he was trembling. His heart felt like it was going to pound out of his chest, and he couldn’t look at Craig.
But Craig didn’t start the car. He sat there, hands fiddling with the keys in his lap. He cleared his throat and looked out the front window. Mitch could hardly breathe, the tension was so thick. He wasn’t sure what to say.
“I meant what I said, Mitchell. You could come to California and write.” His rough voice filled the car.
Mitch breathed in sharply. He wasn’t expecting that. “Why?”
“Why?” Craig repeated.
“Why, Craig?” Mitch whispered.
Craig was quiet, his breathing echoing in the small car. Mitch reached over and touched Craig’s thigh with his fingertips.
Craig turned to face him, grabbed Mitch’s hand, and pulled it to his chest, pressing it palm-down against his heart. “Do you feel that?” His voice was gravelly and the vibrations shot from his chest through to Mitchell’s hand and up his arm.
He felt the thump-thump-thump of Craig’s heart, matching the racing beat of his own, and he gasped.
Craig leaned closer, dropping the keys from his fingers and cupping Mitch’s cheek with his hand. Mitch leaned into it, feeling the strength flow through Craig into him. When Craig’s lips brushed against his, Mitch let out a quiet moan of surprise. Craig slid his hand around and cupped Mitchell’s neck, pulling him even closer, and then his mouth came down on Mitchell’s again. It was soft and sweet. He could feel Craig restraining himself and his head felt light at knowing that. Mitchell felt cherished in a way he’d never known before.
They moved away from each other, Mitch’s hand still on Craig’s chest, Craig’s hand still holding it there, and they looked at each other, eyes wide.
Both started laughing at the same time.
Craig’s eyes twinkled as he leaned in and kissed Mitch’s cheek. “I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time now.”
Heat spread across Mitch’s face, and he knew he was blushing up a storm. “Me too,” he admitted quietly.
“I know we messed around at the hotel, but… if I pushed you too far, I—”
Mitch interrupted him. “No! You didn’t do anything wrong. I wanted… to do what we did. Have wanted to for a long time.” He moved his fingers against Craig’s chest.
“I just felt like I jumped a few steps ahead. I wanted to kiss you first. Take you out. Show you—”
Mitch’s phone rang. “That’s probably Adam asking where the hell we are.”
Craig let go of Mitch’s hand and let him answer, but his attention was on him the whole time.
“Hi, Adam,” Mitch answered. “Yes, we’re on the way. Something… came up.” He stared back at Craig. “Yes! Okay, we’re on the way.”
Craig started the car and pulled out as Mitch hung up the phone.
“So…,” he said, and laughed again.
Mitch chuckled. “Yeah. Guess we need to talk, huh?”
“Yeah, but not with Adam around,” Craig told him.
“Yeah. I get that.” Mitch shook his head. “What the hell was I thinking? I swear I don’t remember texting him.”
“I believe you. I do,” Craig said, his hand reaching over and patting Mitch on the thigh for a moment. “But we can’t just kick him out.”
They drove in silence for a while, following the GPS to the outlet mall.
“What if we go ahead and drive down to Branson today and rent a cabin instead of a motel? That way we’re not all in the same room.”
Craig’s eyes lit up and he smiled. “I think Silver Dollar City in Branson has cabins. Let’s look those up.”
Mitch pulled it up on his phone and made a call. Ten minutes later, they had a cabin rental for the next four days.
“Perfect,” Craig said as they pulled into the parking lot of the outlets.
They met Adam and told him the plan, and he was psyched about it too. So they went off in search of clothes and pretended nothing had changed. They couldn’t do anything until they talked, anyway. But it was difficult because Mitch wanted nothing more than to feel Craig’s lips on his again.