“Will do.” To anyone listening, it was just two guys agreeing to do a nice deed, maybe with a side of some beer and food because that was only practical. Not a date, even if Jacob did have every intention of leaving his truck at Linc’s as another practicality—one that made hooking up that much easier. But while there wasn’t anything romantic about this conversation, little sunbeams of hope still danced around his gut, giddy and restless all at once, already counting down to the weekend. And maybe all that would come of this would be a new swing set for the kids and some hot sex on the down low for him, but it was more than he would have hoped for, even a week ago. It would be enough. It would have to, because wanting anything more would be a lesson in futility.
* * *
“The rook’s getting better,” Garrick said as he handed Linc a box with a drill, some spare batteries, a few wrenches and assorted bits. The late Friday afternoon sun winked at them, promising a sunny weekend, one he was apparently spending building a play structure with Jacob.
“He’s not doing too bad.” Linc put the box in the cab of his truck. He’d stick it in his garage when he met Jacob back at his place for their trek to Bend to pick up the parts for the play structure. He owned plenty of tools himself, but everyone seemed eager to take an interest in this project of Jacob’s from Garrick arranging for the discount to Sims producing a large plastic steering wheel to add to the fort and some little curtains for the windows.
“His last several landings have been way better,” Ray added as he brought over a bucket of sand toys for the digging pit part of the structure. He’d said his kids had contributed the toys, but they looked suspiciously new. “And he kept his head during the controlled burn. Now he’s just got to pass the pack-out test.”
“He will.” Laughing, Jacob came over to them, his truck parked not that far from Linc’s. His hair was still damp from a shower in the locker room, and he’d changed shirts. Not like dress clothes, but still he looked nicer than a trip to the home improvement store warranted in a blue shirt with buttons. “You guys don’t have to sound so surprised that I’m not flaming out of training.”
“Now, don’t go getting a big head.” Ray clapped him on the shoulder. “You’re doing okay, but you still gotta put in the work.”
“I know.” Jacob didn’t roll his eyes, but his tone said he was tempted. “We’ve got more jumps next week. Bring it on.”
“That’s the spirit.” Garrick added his own light punch to Jacob’s arm. “I’m heading out. See you guys Monday. Bring pictures of the swing-set thing.”
“Will do.” Jacob answered first. Linc was still trying to wrap his head around their whole social network conspiring to ensure that he and Jacob spent much of the weekend together. And sure, most of it was going to be either in public or under the watchful eye of Jacob’s family, but Linc still found it surreal.
And for all he told himself that this wasn’t a big deal, it kind of was, deliberate plans that had nothing to do with sex. Sharing dinner simply because they wanted to and not as prelude to getting all tangled up on Linc’s couch as they already had twice that week.
After saying goodbye to the guys, he drove home, trying to quiet the thrum in his veins when he saw Jacob already there, waiting for him. He helped Linc see to the dogs before they headed back to the truck. Part of Linc was disappointed that Jacob hadn’t tried for a quickie back at the house, what with his spiffy shirt and smelling extra good all of a sudden thing, but they did need to pick up the parts, so he restrained himself from being the one to nail Jacob to the mudroom door. Again. God.
“I’m already hungry. Here’s to hoping we can be fast at the store.” Jacob stretched, more of that new shampoo of his filling the truck, as Linc headed for the rural highway that led south to Bend, heart of shopping and such in central Oregon. “Do you want me to suggest a place for dinner? I know a few places where you’re not likely to run into anyone you know and where two guys sharing a meal isn’t a big deal.”
“This isn’t a date,” Linc protested, even though it sort of was, and he knew it.
“I didn’t say it was. I was thinking of your comfort at being seen with me.” Jacob sighed like Linc was insufferable and maybe he was. “And when was the last time you were on a date anyway? Maybe you’ve forgotten how they work.”