Ice Fairy 4 - 22. Chapter 22

Chapter Twenty-Two

Colby’s POV

After everyone had gotten an overwhelming dose of spots in their eyes, it was time to dig into the grub. Colby had been feeling pretty good today before he saw Amber and she slapped him. Hard! What a bitch! He hoped he never saw her again in his entire life.

Nothing of that relationship held too many happy memories for him anymore. Colby honestly just wanted to forget he’d ever met her at all.

But that wasn’t the meat of what was really bugging him; and to be honest, he couldn’t pinpoint it exactly. All he knew is that when he saw his friends, he felt happier.

Being the usher in the wedding was an honor and he loved watching Sam and Brett get married. It struck a chord in him that he didn’t even know existed; or at least one he’d ever admit to. He knew eyes were on him, especially that big guy, Jake.

Colby got some food and tucked himself away quietly in the living room; away from most of the other guests. He wasn’t sure what to say; so he didn’t want to get into too much of a chat with anyone. But with this group he knew that’d be next to impossible to avoid.

“Hey, how are you?” Ryan plopped down beside him and struck up a chat; just as Colby has suspected someone would. Of course it’d be Ryan.

After swallowing quickly, Colby shrugged. “A’right.” He stammered out and went back to eating; though the food didn’t taste as good to him right now. His mind was too awash with things.

“You did a good job today.” Ryan continued. “Looked real spiffy out there.”

A tiny smile formed on Colby’s lips. He appreciated the complement. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

They sat silently while Ryan played with his food and Colby had all but abandoned his own.

“Not hungry?” Caleb came up next with a heaping plateful of appetizers.

Colby sighed. “Guess I ain’t too hungry.”

Ryan’s eyes widened. “You? No. You eat a full slab of ribs and have room for dessert and don’t gain an ounce. Come on, we know what’s eating you, Colby.”

The inevitable eye roll came and Colby chastised himself for doing it. He knew he had to talk about things and these two were known for getting him to spill. At least, when he was around; which is why he’d run away and avoided them all.

“Oh?” was all he could muster.

The three fell silent as Jake entered the room and passed by them; paused, then after looking at all of them and looking like he’d speak… he didn’t. He walked on and left the room altogether.

“Okay, that was weird.” Caleb commented. “He looked real concerned about you, kid.”

That nickname was irritating to him; he was no kid. But was he a man either? Shit. This was just ridiculous. He felt like he was on trial and there was no escape.

“Was he?” he groaned. “Ain’t all of ya?”

“Hey, what’s with the tone?” Ryan looked angry or hurt. “We’re just trying to help you.”

Colby put his plate down and ran his hand over his face. He wished he could run away again; but it would solve nothing. He had to be honest and just get it out. But he wasn’t a real open guy; they’d have to pry it outta him.

“I know. But I ain’t gonna ruin their day anymore than she-devil did.” He hated to think of Amber like that, but it was definitely the truth. What she did was reprehensible. Plus she was so wrong on them making him kiss Jake; he’d done that under his own free will. Which is why it scared the fuck outta him.

“You won’t hurt anyone if you’re just honest.” Caleb stated.

Damn if the guy wasn’t right; as he usually always was. Well shit, might as well pay the piper and talk to them. Who else did he have? He hadn’t told anyone his feelings or thoughts at all; they were the only ones and he’d avoided them for months. Time to just be done with it.

“Fine.” He sighed and pushed himself up from his chair. “C’mon.” he motioned them downstairs and they all got comfy in the basement office.

“You’re putting him through hell you realize.” Ryan stated, which struck Colby hard.

“Huh?” he knew it sounded stupid, but he was dumbstruck.

Caleb shook his head. “You don’t see it? Jake! He’s been asking about you all this time, buddy. When you took off for parts unknown after that party he was really confused.”

Somehow that news made him feel worse, yet better. “Really?”

“No, we’re lying.” Ryan teased him. “Come on, pony up. You’ve kissed both of us, and the newlyweds too. You can’t hide from us anymore, bud.”

A shock of panic went through the country boy. Back home gays weren’t looked up real favorably in his town. He dated girls all the time and thought he’d found ‘the one’ with Amber. But apparently not.

“I…I ain’t hidin’” he lied. But he couldn’t look either of them in the eye. Finally, he caved and out came the truth. “shit. Fine….fine. I’m bi. That make y’all happy?” he grumbled.

Caleb laughed and slapped his friend’s shoulder. “It doesn’t matter what makes us happy; being honest and true to yourself will do that. Hell, I fought it for a long time until I couldn’t fight it anymore. I was 17 before I figured it all out and knew I felt something more for boys.”

“I like girls too!” he countered. “But I like boys. Y’all been real kind to me.”

“What about Jake? He was nothing but nice to you.” Ryan spat back.

That hurt a little and Colby winced. “I know. I know.” He shook his head and rested it in his hands. “I done a lotta bad things and runnin’ away is one of ‘em. I guess he kinda likes me, huh?”

“Can’t you tell?” Caleb chuckled. “He likes you a lot, Colby. It hurt him a lot when you’d kissed him and hung out with him and then took off for the hills. He’s been worried about you.”

Colby felt his face flush; either with guilt or feeling wanted. “I didn’t ask him to.” He mumbled.

“Well no matter you did or didn’t ask, he still did ask. When you came back from your she-demon slapping you he looked like he wanted to go after her himself.” Ryan pointed out.

That was news for sure!

“He did?”

“Yep.” Caleb verified.

Well hell! Plus the guy had been circling him like a vulture, but had been saying nothing and everything all at once.

“Do you even like him, Colby?” Ryan asked plainly.

His breath hitched and he found himself nodding. “I do, yeah. I do. I don’t kiss nobody just for revenge. You guys were kinda for show; but I like y’all. I guess he’s a good guy, huh? He’d be decent to hang out with?”

“He’s the best neighbor ever.” Brett answered as he’d quietly opened the door and joined the pow wow.

Colby felt embarrassed but relieved in a way. “Is it true, Brett? Jake’s been askin’ about me?”

Brett nodded and closed the door behind them again. “A lot, buddy. No lie. He was really hurt when you took off; but he said he understood. He hid it himself for years until it landed him in the hospital.”

“Hospital?” Colby was flabbergasted by that knowledge. He thought that Jake seemed so confident, so easy-going, so ….. hot. Yes, okay, he admitted he was hot and that he was attracted to him. Okay, a lot. An awful lot. He loved being flirted with and despite the terror it struck into him; he knew the truth. He wanted that man.

“That’s all I’m telling you about him though.” Brett teased. “You’ll just have to talk to him yourself. He’s a great guy, Cheese man. Get to know him. At least apologize for running away.”

Okay, okay. Uncle! Colby had had enough of all three of them getting on his case now.

“You owe him.” Caleb reminded him.

True.

“Plus he’s damn hot.” Ryan added.

Hell yeah he was. Why would he mess this up?

“Alright, alright. Sheesh! Y’all are on me faster than flies on roadkill.”

The three other guys laughed and all clapped his shoulders.

“Come on, you need to eat first; I think he helped you get your appetite back last time if I remember. Isn’t it lucky we’re all heading to the reception next?” Brett teased him. “That’s why I went looking for you, we’re heading out to the hall.”

*

One hour later

Colby’s POV

Dinner had flown by since half of the crowd had eaten already; so it was onto the dancing.

Colby loved to dance, especially line dancing. He was tall and lean and could move like a cat, at least that’s what the girls told him.

As he hung back at the bar and watched the others go through the wedding dances, they opened up the floor for general guests to join them.

Mustering up all his courage and after a beer to help things along, Colby finally walked towards Jake’s table. He was sitting alone, nursing a beer and watching the other guests.

Colby took a deep breath and sat down across from him.

“Hey.”

Jake looked up right away and looked surprised and delighted.

“Hey. How are you?”

“I’m…. better. I think.” He smiled a little and it seemed to break the ice between them. “You good?”

“Uh, yeah. I’m good. Thanks. Enjoying the wedding?”

Colby nodded. “Yeah, it was real nice. It was cool bein’ the usher.”

“I’ve been one myself. It’s a nice job. You don’t have to talk, just walk.”

Somehow that struck Colby a little hard in his heart. That he hadn’t talked, he’d just walked. It was something he excelled at; but would stop now.

He looked into Jake’s very handsome, bearded face. “Jake, I’m sorry, for what I done.”

“Colby…it’s alright.”

“No it ain’t either. I run off and after you were real nice to me at that party. I was a right idiot to do that. Jake… I was damn scared.”

The older man leaned in a little, but didn’t take his eyes off Colby once. “Scared of what? Of me?”

“Of myself. My feelin’s and all the crap with that girl.” He rubbed his face in the spot where she’d slapped him.

Jake got up and Colby feared the worst, but was relieved when all the man did was move in closer to him.

“That was awful of her to do. You deserve a lot better, Colby. I’ve had too much experience with pain in my own life; a lot worse than what you had.”

Worse? Holy crap, what had this man been through? He was suddenly very interested and found himself entranced by Jake.

“I ain’t too scared to find out now, Jake. I was more terrified of myself; but I finally came to grips with the truth ‘bout myself.”

A silence passed between them and Jake cocked his head to the left and caught Colby’s eyes. They smiled at one another. When Jake winked, Colby blushed and felt his pants tighten just a little. He was attracted, there was no denying it.

“I’m glad you came back.” Jake told him softly. “I was worried I did something wrong.”

Colby shook his head. “No, not a damn thing. It was me runnin’ from the truth, but I know it now and I wanna move forward. I wanna forget about her and all the other crap.”

“Good to know. I think that’s what you need to do too.” Jake agreed.

The loud music had died down and a slow one came on; a country song that Colby happened to love. He didn’t remember the title, but it didn’t matter right now. All that he saw was Jake and a future that could be a lot better.

He stood and held out his hand slightly to the man. “You wanna ya know, join me?”

Jake’s eyes widened with delight and he nodded, taking Colby’s hand. “I’d love to.”

With a few eyes on them, Colby and Jake kept holding hands all the way out to the dance floor, where they settled into an easy rhythm together. Jake could move well too and it made it nice to dance with him. He looked around the room and saw approving nods and smiles from his friends.

He saw Jake looked at them too and got a ‘thumbs-up’ from all of them.

Colby felt his pulse rise when he looked into Jake’s eyes and face, and felt his strong body pressed against his own. It awakened things in him he’d suppressed for so long that he felt very caught up in the moment.

At the high point of the song, he shut his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, he leaned in holding Jake’s face, he gave him a long, sweet kiss on the lips. He felt Jake’s arms go around him and he held on for a long moment.

When it was over, they smiled at each other.

“Damn. Now that was a nice surprise.” Jake commented.

“I’m full of ‘em lately. I’m gonna stick around too and maybe let you in on some of ‘em, if you’re game.” He looked hopefully into Jake’s face again.

Jake stroked Colby’s previously injured cheek softly. “I’m game alright. For however long you want me to play, Colby.”

Smiling wide, Colby loved the sound of that. “Deal.”

THE END