“He’s going so soon?” Mick threaded his arm around Evan’s. “He could’ve stayed.”
“I offered, but he said he wanted to see the sights.” Evan draped his arm around Mick. “Maybe he does. I don’t know. I think we overwhelmed him, but he’s at peace.” He hugged Mick. “He’s coming back in a day or so and will spend a few days here before he heads back to California.”
“Good.” He’d get a chance to see Neil once more and give him a proper send-off.
“My uncle made Neil happy and he made Eddie happy,” Evan said. “They were in love.”
“They were.” Mick held the man he loved. “Kind of like us.”
“A lot like us.” Evan rubbed Mick’s shoulder. “I never realized when I crushed on you years ago that we’d find each other again. I never thought you’d like me. I was so scared to be myself.”
“Now you’re comfortable being you.”
“I am.” Evan chuckled. “Edwin had to leave town to figure out who he wanted and who he was. I had to come home to do the same thing.”
“I’m glad.” He clung to Evan. “I crushed on you, too. For all your older-man sexiness, I hated you, too. You seemed so self-absorbed, but it was all drive to succeed. I couldn’t see it back then, but I do now.”
“I was an asshole and I didn’t succeed.”
“You’re in a hard career field. Thousands of people try to become famous. Don’t get down on yourself.” Mick kissed Evan. “If you’re meant to hit the big time, you will. You’re the most important to me.”
“You’re important to me, too.” Evan rested his forehead against Mick’s. “We’re different people, yet the same.”
“We’re a team, too,” Mick said. “I love you.”
“Even if I’m a failed country musician, who isn’t a great farmer, but I’m trying? Are you willing to let me play at the local clubs because I can’t give up my music?” Evan asked.
“Only if you’re willing to be with a lawyer who loves his job and is smitten with a farmer who loves his music.” Mick smoothed his palms over Evan’s chest. “I need my cowboy.”
“Me?” Evan laughed. The throaty sound split the silence around them. “My former manager would’ve loved if I’d really been more of a cowboy about ten years ago and made it big.”
“You’re a cowboy to me,” Mick said. “We don’t need a horse because we’ve got everything we need right here.”
“We do,” Evan said. “I love you.”
“Love you, too.” Mick brushed his nose along Evan’s and sighed.
“If you’re willing to go on this ride with me, I’m here for the taking.”
“You should turn that into a song,” Mick said. He knew nothing about music, but the line sounded good.
“Our song.”
“Yes,” Mick murmured.
“Our life, our record…our song starts now,” Evan said.
“I’ll follow you anywhere.” He loved Evan and cherished their second chance. They belonged together and Evan owned his heart. He hadn’t expected to fall in love with Evan, but his life wouldn’t be the same without him.
* * * *
Mick made his way through the cemetery where Martha had been buried. In the month since the funeral, his life had changed in so many ways. His heart still hurt and he missed his friend. Someone had told him that grief was love with no place to land. He believed the sentiment, yet he didn’t. He loved Martha, but had a place to channel that love.
He stopped in front of her grave. Evan had said the headstone should’ve been installed and he’d been right. Mick touched the smooth red granite.
Martha and Clement
United for Eternity
He bit back a cry and grin. He ran his fingers across the carved letters. Martha might be in the box beneath the dirt, but her spirit swirled around him.
He laced his fingers together and stepped back. He needed to speak to his friend. Besides, the words were ready to come.
“Well, you were right. You said I should help Evan and I have. I kept an eye on him,” Mick said. “I can hear you laughing, wherever you are. You told me Evan and I would be good together. The truth is, you weren’t wrong. Did you have a sixth sense about him and me? Or was it wishful thinking?”
Mick nodded once. “Whatever it was, you were right. I hated him at first. He drove me crazy, but when I got to know him…we clicked. I used to crush on him so hard. Like a crazy amount of crushing. When you died, I saw a different Evan. Not the showy, jerky guy he’d been in school, but the true man. He’s not like I expected.”
Mick sat on the bench across from her grave and rested his elbows on his knees. “Evan took over the farm and is doing great. It’s like he never left.” He lowered his voice. “I never knew how magnetic he could be. When he puts on those spangled chaps and his hat… I shouldn’t tell you.” The tops of his ears burned and his cheeks heated. He was talking to Evan’s grandmother and he should keep his conversation PG.
“I fell in love with him. Head over heels. He asked me to move in with him on the farm. He’s touring, too. It’s just around Cedarwood and the northern Ohio region, but he’s gaining a following. He’s good. I’m not saying that because I’m partial, but because he’s really electric when he’s playing a show. He’s himself, too. Cowboy, singer and proudly out man.” Mick blinked back tears. “I’m honored he chose me.”
He tensed when he heard footsteps on the grass and falling leaves. Mick didn’t have to turn around to know who’d joined him. He wiped away his tears. “Evan.”
“Hey.” Evan sat next to him. “Are you crying?” He offered his hanky. “I miss her, too.”
“Yeah.” Mick bumped shoulders with Evan. “I told her I’m proud of you.”
“Yeah?”
“I’m thrilled to be with you,” Mick said.
“Good.” Evan held Mick’s hand. “So am I.” He cleared his throat. “I heard
