Looking for Trouble(65)

“It’s good to meet you too,” William replied. Just then Dakota came charging from the house. She jumped at William, licking him like crazy. “Holy shit. Look at her. I can’t believe she remembers me.”

“Probably smells her mom and dad on you too,” Scott replied.

Oh, wow. They’d definitely been close. He and Gordon had even gotten Dakota from them.

“Property looks good. I sure do miss fishing in your pond,” William said with a grin. “Can’t remember the last time I did it.”

“Lemme guess, you’re going to spend all night bustin’ my balls?” Clay asked with a chuckle.

“Of course. What are friends for?” William replied. “You know how much I loved fishing in that pond…nothing like a line in the water, a cold beer, and good friends.”

“Gordon used to say that,” Scott said, and Dylan would have been lying if he didn’t admit he felt those words like a punch to the gut.

“Yeah…yeah, he did,” Clay replied, reaching out and grabbing Dylan’s hand.

Dylan was silently grateful. They were fighting, their first real fight, but it mattered that Clay was still offering him support, making sure Dylan knew he was there.

“You want to take a look around?” Clay asked, and they said yes.

Clay didn’t let go of Dylan’s hand while the four of them made their way around the property. He showed them new additions he’d made over the last couple of years and told stories about a hurricane the year before and the damage it had done.

Dylan was quiet, just listened as they shared memories about times they’d spent there and things the four of them had done. It was odd hearing Clay talk about Gordon so freely, but he knew Clay likely needed it. That it was important to him.

“So, Dylan, what do you do?” William asked when they went inside the house.

“I’m a barista at the Dancing Unicorn.”

“Are you in college?” Scott asked, and Dylan flinched. He could tell by Scott’s tone he hadn’t meant anything by it, that he was just trying to get to know Dylan, and he did look young enough to be in college, but it was still uncomfortable.

“Nah, college was never for me. It might not be what some people consider a career, but I like what I do.”

Scott frowned. “Shit. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.”

“It’s fine. I know you didn’t.”

“He’s great at what he does. Customers love him. He’s the bright spot in some of their days. I’m real proud of him,” Clay said, and Dylan wished he hadn’t. It made him feel like Clay was placating him.

“Thanks. You guys want a beer? I’m going to check on dinner.” It was a silly question in a lot of ways. The dining room and kitchen were open concept, and they were literally ten feet from the fridge.

“I wouldn’t say no to a beer,” William answered.

“I’ll grab them,” Dylan replied.

“I got it, Trouble.” Clay squeezed his hand before letting go, going to the fridge, and grabbing four beers.

“Trouble, huh?” Scott asked.

“Yeah…it’s my name for him,” Clay replied, and Dylan could have sworn he looked bashful…not embarrassed, but shy.

He handed William and Scott their beers, before opening Dylan’s for him and passing it over. They were twist top, but the damn things always hurt Dylan’s hand, so he appreciated Clay opening it for him.

“You guys can sit and catch up. I’ll finish dinner.”

“Do you need any help?” Scott asked.

“No, thanks,” Dylan replied.

“Are you sure?” Clay confirmed, and he nodded. He wanted Clay to have time with his friends.

He could hear them laughing and talking as he finished dinner. It wasn’t long before he let them know it was ready. The table was small, so they fixed their plates in the kitchen before sitting down.

They all chatted more, talking about things Dylan didn’t know about. They did attempt to include him, but it was difficult since he didn’t know the stories. He thought maybe he understood how Clay felt the weekend before, though Dylan himself hadn’t known any of those guys except Troy. Still, he felt more comfortable with them, more similar to them than he did with Scott and William, and he assumed Clay had felt the same.

“How long have you been in Bailey Springs?” Scott asked after a while.

“A few months…what, three or four?” Dylan asked Clay.

“Yeah, ’bout that.”

“How did you end up in town?” William asked.

“My dad grew up here. He passed away, and I came here to feel connected to him, which brought me to Clay.” He wasn’t going to share about the letter, of course. That was between them.

“I grew up here too,” William replied. “I kept to myself back then. I was too scared people would find out I was gay. Didn’t even become friends with this guy until he came out. I might have known your dad, though. What was his name?”

Well, shit. Dylan hadn’t thought about this part of it. Would it make things all the more awkward if they knew his dad?

Clay cleared his throat. “He’s Mike’s son.”

William’s eyes snapped up, and Dylan could see from the surprised look in them that he knew who his dad was. They likely hadn’t been friends, but if he knew Clay as a teenager, he must have known he was best friends with Dylan’s dad.