The Hollow Hills - 3. Chapter 3

Galen

Liam was on duty and slammed with calls the day after I met Josh, so he had to cancel our lunch plans. That was ok with me, since I needed time to process the events of the previous evening. It was obvious how much Josh and I were attracted to each other, but no matter how I felt about him, I wasn’t going to be the ‘other man’. Especially not after what Jamie put me through.

Liam called and informed me that Josh and Alannah had invited us both to dinner at the farm again on Friday. I was thrilled to be seeing Josh again so soon, but at the same time I was apprehensive about it. I was having difficulty thinking of him as just a friend. I wondered if his boyfriend would be there. I kind of hoped he wouldn’t be.

When I arrived at the farm Alannah greeted me with a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.

“It’s great to see you again, lad.”

“You, too.”

Josh was standing at the kitchen island, chopping some green things. He looked up at me and smiled. “Hi, Galen.”

My heart skipped a beat and I shivered hearing his voice. “Hey.”

“I’m making macaroni and cheese. I thought you might want to learn how to make it.”

I couldn’t stop the smile that spread over my face. “I’d love to.”

Liam arrived then and after greeting everyone, retreated to the living room with Alannah. Josh handed me a grater and five different kinds of cheese. I started grating the cheese as he chopped vegetables. I was in awe of the speed and dexterity he used while wielding his knife. If I attempted that I’d lose my fingers.

He scooped up the veggies and tossed them into a sizzling hot pan. He flipped them expertly and I stopped what I was doing to watch. Everything he did fascinated me.

“If I tried to do that it would end up all over the place,” I said, laughing.

“It takes a lot of practice.” He motioned me over. “Give it a try.”

I looked at him like he was nuts. “I don’t think you want me anywhere near a stove.”

He laughed. “You have to tip the pan down, then forward and up quickly.” He demonstrated a perfect flip of the veggies.

I attempted to do the same thing, but ended up flinging the veggies all over the stove. I grimaced. “See? I’m hopeless in the kitchen.”

“Nah, it just takes practice. Here.” He put his hand over mine on the pan and demonstrated again.

After feeling his hand on mine, the last thing on my mind was flipping vegetables. It took several more attempts before I managed to leave anything in the pan.

Josh bumped my shoulder. “See? I knew you could do it.”

I smiled and leaned into him. He cleared his throat and set the pan with the sautéed veggies aside.

“I’m going to put the macaroni in the water, then I’ll show you how to make the cheese sauce.”

I finished grating the cheese, then Josh showed me how to make something called a roux, which we added milk and the grated cheese to. After draining the macaroni, he had me dump the cheese mixture over it and stir it all together. Then I dumped it into a big casserole dish and we added a bread crumb topping before tossing it in the oven with a meatloaf that Josh had already prepared.

“So mac and cheese and meatloaf, huh?” I asked as we sat at the kitchen table.

Josh slid a plate of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies toward me. I took one after taking a sip of the coffee Josh just poured me.

“Sorry it’s not as fancy as last week’s dinner. I don’t do that all the time.”

I laughed. “Are you kidding me? Mac and cheese and meatloaf are my favorite.” From the look on his face, I had a feeling he already knew that. I’d have to have a talk with Liam.

I took a bite of the cookie and moaned. It was a bite of heaven.

“I’m not a pastry chef, so I hope they came out ok.”

“Oh my God… Josh, these are incredible! Is there anything you can’t cook?”

He laughed. “Not really, but I specialize in French cuisine. Apparently I’m pretty passable at Irish dishes, too.” He glanced at the living room.

“Passable. Right. Just passable.” I rolled my eyes.

Alannah and Liam walked into the kitchen and joined us at the table, each taking a cookie.

“How’s the cooking lesson going, cuz?”

“Great. I learned how to flip things in a pan without spilling them all over the place.”

Liam laughed. “So are you going to cook for me the next time I come over for lunch?”

I snorted. “Sure. I’ll make you some chicken.”

He grimaced. “Oh hell, no!”

“We haven’t progressed to chicken yet. I think we’d better stick to things that won’t send people to the hospital.”

I put my hand on my heart. “Et tu, Joshua?”

“Caroline’s off this afternoon so I’m going to go feed the horses before we eat. Do you want to give me a hand, Liam?” Alannah asked.

“Sure.”

“Dinner will be ready in about forty-five minutes,” said Josh.

Liam and Alannah headed to the barn while Josh and I prepared the salads. He showed me how to make a honey mustard dressing.

Quite a few dishes had accumulated in the sink, so after I finished the dressing I started to wash them.

“You don’t have to do that,” Josh said.

“I know. I don’t mind. You’ve taught me so much, it’s the least I can do.”

He frowned. “You’re our guest. Alannah and I can do them.”

“I really don’t mind, Josh.”

He grabbed the pan I was washing out of my hands and set it back down in the sink. “Guests don’t do dishes,” he said harshly.

I turned to face him, frowning. He was standing so close I could feel his breath. “Is all I am to you a guest?” I whispered.

He looked into my eyes and shook his head almost imperceptibly. I have no idea who made the first move; I think we moved as one, because the next thing I knew we were embracing and kissing. Our tongues dueled as our hands roamed all over the other’s body. I felt his hands underneath my shirt and moaned at the contact on my bare flesh. I cupped his ass, pulling him as close to me as I could. His desire pressed into mine and I gasped. I walked forward as we made out, guiding him to the living room where we collapsed in a heap on the couch, me on top of him. I reached down between his legs and felt his erection straining in his jeans. I wanted nothing more than to liberate it. I kissed my way down his neck and had just started my descent toward my prize when we heard voices in the kitchen. We flew apart, tucking our shirts in as Alannah and Liam entered the living room. They looked at us, then at each other, raising their eyebrows.

“I better check on the food,” said Josh, as he scurried into the kitchen.

I avoided the gaze of the two people staring at me and rushed into the bathroom that was right off the living room. I splashed cold water on my face and willed my dick to go down.

When I returned to the kitchen the salads were set on the table and the mac and cheese and meatloaf were cooling on the island.

I sat down, avoiding everyone’s inquisitive stares. “So cuz, any interesting traffic stops lately?”

“As a matter of fact, yes.”

“Oh?”

“I had a guy offer me a blowjob if I didn’t give him a speeding ticket.”

I coughed as my drink went down the wrong way. I laughed and smirked. “Welcome to the dark side, cuz! So how was it?”

He laughed. “Sorry to disappoint you, little bro. He wasn’t my type.”

Josh and Alannah looked at him incredulously.

“Not butch enough for you, huh?”

“Is there something you haven’t told us, love?” Alannah asked.

I laughed at the look of consternation on Liam’s face. “When we were teenagers we’d hang out at the mall and people watch. I’d point out guys for him and he’d point out girls for me. It became a running joke.”

“He always picked the real manly men for me and I’d pick out the girliest girls for him.”

Alannah laughed and elbowed me. “So I’m not your type then?”

I put my arm around her and drew her into a side hug. “If I was straight, this guy would have some serious competition.”

Liam glared at me as I kissed her cheek, producing a giggle from the petite blonde.

“So you guys were pretty close growing up?” Josh asked.

“We pretty much grew up as brothers. I was raised by my aunt and uncle ever since I was thirteen.”

“What happened to your parents?” Alannah asked around a bite of salad.

I scowled. “Their faggot son happened.”

“Galen!” Liam looked mortified.

Josh and Alannah stared at me.

“Sorry. I was kicked out after they found out I was gay.”

“Bloody hell. I don’t think I’ll ever understand some people.” Alannah said, shaking her head. “Thirteen seems awfully young. I take it you didn’t tell them.”

I snorted. “No, I sure as hell didn’t.” I took a drink of my iced tea. “My dad walked in on Jimmy Johnson and me kissing half-naked in my bed. He didn’t take it well.” I paused, setting my glass down. “But you guys don’t want to hear about my asshole parents.”

Josh stood and transferred the meatloaf and mac and cheese from the island to the table. We passed our plates to him in turn and he served us generous portions of each.

“I think I want to come here for dinner every night. This is amazing!” I had no idea it was possible to love my favorite foods even more.

“You’re welcome any time,” Alannah said.

“Thanks,” I said. I took another spoonful of mac and cheese. If I took her at her word I’d be over every day. And not just for the food.

“You know it’s good; Galen never takes seconds.” Liam laughed.

“I can’t help it if I don’t have a big appetite.”

“Well you’d never know it by how you’re chowing down this stuff.” Liam smirked.

“At least I don’t have your gut.” I winked at him.

He patted his belly. “I don’t have a gut. This is pure muscle, baby.”

I rolled my eyes. “Muscle. Right.” I took a bite of meatloaf ambrosia. “How did you come up with the name of the farm? The Hollow Hills is an unusual name.”

“It’s a bit of folklore from the legend of King Arthur. It’s been said that he sleeps in the Hollow Hills with the Knights of the Round Table after his time on Earth was finished. The Hills are considered a doorway into another world,” Josh said. “When I started leasing the farm, I found myself thinking of it as my refuge and it really was a whole other world from the one I left in France.”

“Wow. You lived in France?”

“Yeah. I’ve spent a lot of time in Europe. I lived in France for several years after –“He stopped abruptly, frowning. “I moved here fifteen years ago when I got the job at the magazine.”

“That’s a bit of a change. What prompted you to leave France?” I asked.

“I had a relationship end and couldn’t bring myself to stay.”

“I’m sorry,” I said. “Do you miss it there?”

“No. I like it here. I really missed being with horses.”

“So you’re a rider, too? You’ll have to take me riding sometime.” I grinned at the thought of combining Josh and horses. I imagined us riding into the sunset, me sitting behind him with my arms wrapped around him.

Josh stood up abruptly, almost overturning his chair, and left the kitchen. I stared after him, chagrined. Alannah placed her hand on my shoulder.

“He doesn’t ride anymore, love. He just teaches,” she said.

“I didn’t know. Why doesn’t he ride anymore?”

“He refuses to talk about it.”

“Oh. I didn’t mean to bring up any painful memories.”

“It’s alright.” She paused and appeared to be debating her next words. “Josh is a very private person. It takes a lot for him to open up to someone.”

Josh returned to the table then and sat down. He looked at me. “Galen, I’d be more than happy to teach you how to ride, but I won’t go riding with you.”

I smiled at him. “I’d like that.”

We had homemade brownies with ice cream for dessert. I was slightly disappointed to find that Josh hadn’t made the ice cream himself.

“So when do I get to meet your boyfriend?” I asked, looking at Josh.

It was impossible to miss the looks that crossed both Liam and Alannah’s faces. Josh scowled at them and played with his ice cream.

“He’s pretty busy. He’s out of town for work a lot.” He looked at his dish, avoiding my gaze.

I opened my mouth to ask another question, but Liam gave me a warning look and shook his head.

I made a mental note to have a talk with Liam about Josh’s mystery boyfriend.