Page 37 of Almost True
I scratch her head with her body draped across one arm, her purring like a tiny motor. Maybe it’s not Dex who is helping me move on but this kitten. Something about petting a cat pulls me right out of my thoughts and into the moment, where this independent and capable little creature has chosen to shower me in love. It’s nice to have someone looking up to you and thinking you’re the most amazing thing that ever happened to them, even if that someone is just a cat.
Once the kitten has had her fill of cuddles and jumped down, I find a bowl and fill it with the dry food I bought yesterday. She looks at me as if disappointed that I don’t have more tuna, and I say, “What? I can’t afford to give you that fancy shit all the time.”
Soon Dex is up as well, groaning and stretching his arms over his head. The sight of him does something funny to me. He gives me a smile, dimples showing, and I return it shyly.
“I always think it’s criminal that my uncle doesn’t give us more of a break after each fire,” Dex says. “It’s easy for him to say we’re smarter to keep exercising than to let ourselves stiffen up. He’s not the one doing the damn workouts.”
“Good morning to you too,” I say.
Dex laughs. “I forgot you like that crap.”
We have just enough time to brew a cup of coffee before we head into work, and I notice Dex is now prepared with a French press and a good brand of coffee.
“You’re a fucking godsend,” I say as he fills my thermos.
“Only the best for you, baby,” he teases.
Our hands touch as he hands the steaming thermos to me, and there’s something that wasn’t there before, a sort of hyperawareness of his skin against mine. Which probably makes sense given what happened last night. Not that I’m going to follow this train of thought any further.
We let ourselves and the kitten outside, and Dex reaches for my hand. It’s amazing how quickly I’ve gotten used to this—to the way our fingers link together perfectly, the warm weight of his palm against mine. And this time it doesn’t just feel like comfort and wordless connection. It feels like the promise of more to come.
As we walk, Dex says, “What’re we going to name the cat?”
“I haven’t thought about it yet. I wanted to make sure she wouldn’t give up on us while we were away at the fire first.”
“I like Furball.”
I nudge my shoulder against Dex’s. “That’s not dignified enough. She’s going to grow up to be a beautiful thing. She needs a name to suit her.”
“Black Beauty.”
I snort. “That’s a horse, dumbass.”
Dex is grinning. “I know.”
“Besides, she’s my cat, so I get to decide. I think I’ll call her Charcoal.”
We’re heading through town now, the lake and surrounding mountains visible as we amble down the sloping main street. This place is starting to get under my skin. It’s just as Dex said—it’s like the last frontier, one little settlement and then wilderness in every direction. There’s something incredible about that. Something that helps me remember how small I am compared to the vastness out there.
As we pass the bakery, Dex’s friend Rowan ducks out and says, “Hey! Dex! What are you doing this weekend?”
Dex looks at me and shrugs. “Not much.”
“My cousin is away for a bit and has offered to loan us his boat. You up for a fishing trip up the delta? Korren can come too.”
“Absolutely,” Dex says. “You down for that, Korren?”
“Sure.” And here I was just thinking how much I’d love to get out and explore the wilderness around Copper Creek.
Chapter 26
Dex
It’s a good thing I have the fishing trip to think about, because I’ve been in danger of getting a hard-on ever since I got up this morning. I fucking want more of Korren, and that’s all I can focus on. That and the fact that I’m terrified of driving him away.
As much as I want to give him another dare, I don’t want to upset this fragile thing we’ve got going at the moment. Korren seems happier than he’s been since I met him, and all the awkwardness I thought we’d have to deal with after last night is basically nonexistent.
When we reach the fire station and I have to let go of his hand, it’s a fucking shame. So I find the next best way to keep touching him—while we’re eating breakfast, I sit next to him with my knee resting against his. He doesn’t seem to mind.
