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“I’m sure that was a deciding factor on the rental.”
“Obviously. But then this photo caught my attention.”
I led him to the bedroom with the same huge wall of windows that overlooked the sound. It was a stunning view of green hues and blue water with a mountain range for a backdrop. And the sun shining on the water made for an exquisite view.
“Damn, that’s one hell of a view, babe.”
“I know,” I said as I wrapped my arms around him from behind and pulled him against me.
I lost track of how long we stood there, just holding each other and looking at the view. It was a perfect moment that I knew we’d remember when the tour got long.
“You know what?”
“What?”
“We should take some photos of this view and have them printed to hang in our house.”
Cole hummed. “That could be something we do. Everywhere we travel, we find that one spot that gives us this feeling. We photograph it, and hang it on the wall at home.”
“I like it. Kinda wish we’d started earlier.”
“No,” he said, “I don’t think it would mean as much. It’s not about the place, it’s about the feeling it brings to us. We’ve been a mess for a while, but now we’re different. We’ve found our way back after almost losing each other. It’s like a song you can’t get out of your head.”
I hugged him tighter and kissed his cheek. “Thanks for not giving up on me.”
“Never, not even when it felt like it.”
We stood there another minute or so before Cole turned in my arms. “Let’s go unpack the car, then go into town.”
“Sounds good. I might even hold your hand.”
Cole looked up at me with his big blue eyes and smiled. And that was enough for me.
We got back in the Rover and drove around the island. It was lush and green, and we saw trails we wanted to hike. We rolled the windows down and rode all the way around the island, taking in B&Bs, restaurants, small grocery stores, a fish farm, and an artist community.
We stopped in for dinner at a little café, then bought a few groceries to take back to the house. No one seemed to pay us any attention. No recognition of who we were, and it was freeing. And when I held his hand, it didn’t garner anyone’s attention. We were just another gay couple on vacation.
“I can’t believe you held my hand in there,” Cole said, looking over at me as I drove us back to the cottage.
“Me either, honestly. But it felt so good to claim you as mine. I’m sorry it’s taken so long for me to get there.”
Cole reached over and put his hand on mine. “It doesn’t matter anymore, Patrick. Maybe if we hadn’t chosen the professions or the life we did, things might have been different a long time ago. But we chose this life, and it’s time we enjoy it.”
Even though I wasn’t hiding our relationship any longer, it took a change in mindset to go from watching every word or touch when we were in public, to being free to show that affection we both craved. But he was right; it was time to let go and enjoy the life we had.
“I had to think about it before I did it, and I was nervous. But it felt natural to touch you, and I want to get to where it just happens, every time we’re out.”
“Keep working with Donovan, babe, and you’ll get there.”
When we got back to the cottage, we carried the bags in and unloaded them. I went to change into athletic shorts and a t-shirt, then joined him back in the kitchen.
“Want to sit outside by the fire?”
Cole smiled over at me. “Yeah, I’d love that. I wanna get my guitar.”
“I thought you might.”
While he went to get it, I found the rental information for the firepit, then took out two beers before going out to get it started. As I stacked the small pieces of wood, it reminded me of the night so long ago that we’d admitted our feelings for each other. It hadn’t taken but a few words and a look to bring us together.
