Broken Strings

Twenty-One

"I'm not." That had a bit more conviction to it and Sam leaned back.  "Besides, he's not even—he's not like us." Even if a big part of Travis found itself wishing desperately that he was. "We just have rules for a reason, Sam. Remember?" The bartender returned with Travis' order piled on a tray and he handed over his credit card. As she ran it through the machine and handed it back, Travis lifted the tray and glanced back at Sam, almost as a peace offering. "I'll see you in Montana in a few weeks, yeah?"

"Yeah," Sam replied but Travis was already walking away. "Sure."

For the rest of the night, Travis forced himself not to look at Sam but it was easier than expected with his family around. They were always an entertaining group and as the night began to wind down, the fast-paced energetic songs were replaced by softer ballads that brought couples like his parents, Bailey and Noah, Jake and Piper, and Stephen and Caroline, Travis found himself sitting with Brock alone at the table.

"Well," Brock said. "I've decided I like the rodeo."

"Do you? What was your favourite part?"

"I liked watching what you did. The bronc riding. I'm not going to lie, those bulls scared me half to death. I don't know why anyone would willingly do that."

"Ask Noah. He did it for a lot of years and was one of the best."

"I did and I still don't understand it. I mean, what you do still seems crazy too but that just seemed insane." He looked contemplative. "Do they ever make you go through a psych evaluation to compete?"

"I've never had to do one."

"Maybe that should be a new rule."

Travis couldn't help but laugh. "Maybe musicians also need a psychiatric evaluation before they get famous. Make sure they can handle the crazy fans and celebrity."

Brock opened his mouth to form a rebuttal then shrugged. "Fair enough."

"Speaking of celebrity, I never asked. Where's Jay today?"

"He said something about going for a hike somewhere. I don't know. He dropped me off this morning and took the car. Said he'd be back to pick me up but he's still gone. Guess I'm hitchhiking back to my hotel."

"I can drive you." The words were out of his mouth before he had the chance to stop them.

The air seemed to pulse between them and then Brock smiled. "Thanks. I appreciate it."

"Anytime."

For a little while longer, they watched the couples slowly twirling around. Piper and Bailey tried to persuade Travis to hit the dancefloor but he stayed firmly in his chair, occasionally laughing at the fangirls who kept appearing from the woodwork to request Brock's autograph. Eventually, people began to leave the floor and the band stepped off the stage. Someone put on a playlist with a bunch of mainstream music but the Grant table at the back of the room all headed for the exit, ready to bring an end to the day.

A dark, cloudless night greeted them as they stepped outside, the moon glistening from high above. The stars peppered the sky and cicadas sounded across the rodeo grounds. A light breeze fluttered through the grass, whispering against Travis' ankles as he led the way forward to his truck.

"I'll meet you at home," he said to his parents. "I told Brock I'd give him a lift." They waved in acknowledgement and everyone headed out on their way.

The quiet filled the cab of Travis' truck, broken only by the soft inhales and exhales he and Brock released. He could have reached for the radio but his fingers couldn't seem to move from the wheel and so they listened only to each other and not a sound more.

It wasn't until he'd pulled into a parking spot at the side of the hotel and cut the engine that Brock spoke.

"So. You and Sam, huh?"

Travis' blood ran cold, ice filling his veins. He turned to Brock with a look of horror. "What did you say?"

"I was trying to find a way to raise it casually during the ride over here but I couldn't so I figured I'd just state the obvious. You and your buddy Sam. Is that a...thing? Are you guys together?"

"Sam? He and I...We're just – we're just friends."

Brock's lips pursed together. "That's what I said about my ninth-grade science fair partner too. Just friends. And he and I were just friends until we started making out behind the portables at our school."

It took a moment for those words to sink in. For what Brock was saying to become clear. But even still, with his brain scrambling, the only thing Travis could think of was that Brock Mason had just admitted to the fact that he had kissed guys.

"Look, I'm going to be upfront for a minute here Travis because I've been trying to figure you out and I was half-convinced that I was just seeing what I wanted to see in you because you're hot as hell and smart and kind...But then I saw you today with Sam and I knew that you were gay, like me. I just want to know if I've got a shot here or if you're locked down with Sam."

Gay like me gay like me gay like me.

Travis couldn't think anything beyond those three words on a loop that apparently had no beginning and no end. He felt as if he were going weightless, as if the world was becoming distant from his body and he was watching everything happen from afar. Watching as Brock reached out with a gentle but steady hand to grasp Travis' wrist.

That one touch brought him back to reality. Settled him in a way that Travis had never felt settled before. Even with the electricity pulsing through his veins and as his heart threatened to beat its way out of his chest, Travis felt more grounded than he had in his entire life.

"Travis?" Brock murmured and his face suddenly was only mere inches from Travis' own.

There were a few faint freckles across the bridge of Brock's nose. Travis had never noticed that before. His eyes travelled farther up though, away from the perfect nose to the eyes that shone brightly even in the shadows of night.

"We're nothing to each other," Travis whispered. "Not really."

"That's what I was hoping to hear."

And then before Travis could think or move or breathe, Brock was kissing him.  

***

Hi everyone!

I know it's been a long time since I've updated this book. I've had some major life events happen recently (including moving house, getting a puppy who has taken up a LOT of my time over the last eight months, as well as having to partake in several intensive work trips) which has left me minimal time for writing. 

I am still very much intending to finish this book. By my estimate, I've got about 25-30 chapters or so left to do. Updates may be irregular but I'm trying to get back onto a more consistent writing schedule as I work to finish this book and explore new projects. I'm always available to answer DM's or comments in this book if people are interested in chapter update timelines.

Happy reading!

DB.