Page 29 of Redemption Ridge Vol II

The dryer buzzed to signal the last load had finished, and Tyler pushed up to his feet. “Just trying to figure out where we’re going on our date.” He’d taken a page out of the Owen Doyle Avoidance Guidebook, reminding Tyler that Owen had hidden scars too. He felt Owen’s intense scrutiny as he unloaded the clean bedding into his oversized laundry bag. Would Owen return the courtesy Tyler had shown him innumerable times by letting the subject drop? Once finished, Tyler shut the dryer door and turned to Owen, whose suspicion was written all over his face. “And now we can begin dirtying them back up again,” Tyler said with a wink.

Owen’s furrowed brow smoothed out, and his lips curved into a devilish smile. “But not until after our date.”

“To where?”

Owen crossed the room and stood close enough to touch but reached for his laundry bag instead. “It’s a surprise.” Then, he pivoted and headed out the door without another word.

Tyler groaned and followed. “One hint.”

“Nope. You’ll find out when we get there.”

“And when will that be?” Tyler pushed.

“As soon as we put our clothes up and make the bed.”

Tyler fought off the urge to protest because Owen was right. They’d ignored housekeeping tasks so they could spend their free time naked.

“Don’t pout,” Owen called over his shoulder. “You’re the one who complained about your shoddy concentration the other day.”

Tyler snorted. “I didn’t complain. I just told you the truth. All I want to do is you.”

Owen’s steps faltered slightly, and Tyler took that as a minor victory. That Owen skipped his cabin and headed straight to Tyler’s was a major win. Then again, neither Owen nor Ethel had spent a night away from Tyler and Lucy since Cash’s birthday party.

“You know,” Tyler said when they were behind closed doors, “we could fool around before we put the sheets back on.”

Owen’s nostrils flared as he inhaled, but he shook his head. “You need to save your legs.”

Tyler arched a brow. “Pardon?”

“It’s an old boxing phrase. Sex takes the air out of your muscles and weakens your legs.”

Tyler was still clueless. “You’re taking me boxing?”

Owen shook his head, and Tyler gave him extra points for not scoffing or laughing. Tyler was the flight to Owen’s fight. He’d rather talk his way out of a confrontation or run like hell if that failed. “But you will need your legs for something else.” Owen pressed his lips to Tyler’s, stopping him from asking more questions. Too bad he didn’t linger, though. “You’ll find out when we get there.”

“Not even a hint?” Tyler gave him the puppy dog eyes that had never worked on his parents.

Owen’s lips parted, and Tyler thought he was getting his way, but Owen snapped his mouth shut and shook his head. “Nice try. Fold your clothes, and you’ll find out what I’ve got up my sleeve.” He laughed at his cute laundry pun before he emptied his clothes on Tyler’s bed.

They lived a rather simple lifestyle, so neither of them hoarded unnecessary clothes. There was more than enough room in Tyler’s drawers for both of their things, but Owen needed to snag some hangers from next door to stow his flannels in Tyler’s closet. Seeing Owen’s shirt, pants, socks, and underwear combined with his seemed more intimate than some of the physical things they’d done together. His face hurt from smiling as they reassembled the bed with fresh linens.

Owen darted his gaze between the bed and Tyler. He chewed his bottom lip as if reconsidering his date suggestion and then shook his head. “Grab your coat, and let’s go.”

Tyler tried one more time to get a hint from Owen, but his resolve held firm. The waiting only amplified the suspense, but the drive to Colorado Springs didn’t take long. Tyler barely contained his enthusiasm when Owen pulled into the parking lot of a roller-skating rink. He hit the button to release his seat belt and launched himself across the console to hug Owen. The rink was one of the few places his mother literally let down her hair and had fun. They ate greasy pizza, drank sugary sodas, and skated until they got blisters on their feet. Listening to popular songs that were forbidden at home and interacting with people outside their congregation were wonderful treats. “You remembered.”

Owen laughed as he tried to wrestle his own seat belt off. “Only every single thing you’ve ever told me, Ty.”

No one had ever made him feel so seen or important. That part wasn’t new, but the reasons for Owen’s devotion were fresh. Tyler was suddenly overcome with sadness for the time he’d lost with Owen. He settled back in his seat and turned to look out the windshield.

“Uh-oh,” Owen said solemnly. “Bring back my happy guy.”

Tyler met his gaze once more. “I am happy, but I wish we’d done this sooner.”

“Skate?” Owen asked.

“No, well, maybe that too, but I wish my epiphany had come sooner. It feels like we’ve lost six years.”

Owen shook his head. “I don’t believe that for a second. We didn’t lose time if we were together.”