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Week 6

States visited: NV, CA – extended stop in Lake Tahoe, just outside of Truckee

Dear Journal,

We’re staying in Lake Tahoe before we head to Truckee, California. Tahoe is an interesting place, but there are great campgrounds, so we found one near the lake that had a firepit. After I got off the bike and cleaned up, Bridges and I walked to a grocery store nearby and picked up some steaks to grill on the pit at our campsite. Dinner was great—steak salad with an incredible dressing—and then we walked to a little bar to have a few beers and play some pool.

Of course, Bridges was a natural. Me, not so much, but it was sexy as hell as he lined up behind me to help me make shots.

When we got back to the RV, we made love, fueled by all the foreplay of having a few drinks and playing pool. Being with Bridges was like an otherworldly experience, and I wanted him more than I could explain to anyone. He’s worried about me riding the miles the next day, but hell, no. I’ll be fine.

Bridges insisted that I fuck him, and I didn’t argue, using a condom because I knew he’d been burned by his ex. We’d both been tested, but we were still waiting for the results. The doctor had left a message for each of us, but we were waiting until after the ride to listen to them. Our concentration was on the ride, and we wouldn’t let anything distract us.

I’m still wonderfully in love with my boyfriend, and I can tell he’s still in love with me. That’s the only thing that matters.

Travel Journal of Weston Aames

Week 7

States visited: NV, CA – end of the road in San Francisco

Dear Journal,

We’ve arrived in Sacramento. We’re going to finish the ride tomorrow when we arrive at the Rainbow Equality Alliance in the Castro. I’m nervous as hell, but I’m excited. Alexis told Bridges that people had donated ten-thousand dollars to the Alliance through the YouTube channel. She was having a print shop make a big check for the press conference. I’m thrilled about it.

My life now has purpose, and I’ve made decisions about the way I want to live it. I can’t believe this whole thing is almost over, but oh, what a ride it has been.

Good job, Weston.

Love yourself like Bridges loves you.

Chapter Twenty-six

Bridges

I pulled into the parking garage of a nice hotel that Alexis had booked for us in San Francisco. The garage had a space with high ceilings where the RV would fit, which was great. I grabbed a luggage cart from the hallway to load our bags as West pedaled into the garage on his bike and stopped next to me with a big smile on his handsome face.

“God, thank you. I couldn’t have done this without you.”

I grinned. “And here we are in San Francisco, baby boy. You’ve done it. You’ve arrived, sweetheart. I’m beyond proud of you. Let’s put the bike in the RV, check into our room, and get a goddamn drink. We deserve a drink, don’t you think?”

Weston grinned. “Daddy, I think you’re a genius. We definitely deserve a drink.”

I laughed. I was fucking far from a genius. “Weston, I’m not a genius at all.”

“Oh, come on, Bridges. Look at where you are in your life. You have a successful business, and people around the whole fucking world reaching out to you for your expertise regarding your ability to create beautiful bikes. You’ve got a person in Oahu who wants you to build a bike for them for a grueling race. You’re a genius, and I love you.”

We checked in and West took a shower before we went down to the bar. As I stared at him with the towel wrapped around his waist, I took a deep breath. He was gorgeous. He was perfect. He was mine.

“What would you like to drink, sweetheart?” He took a seat at a high top in a quiet corner.

“Surprise me.” He winked, and the joy I felt at seeing him so happy was nearly overwhelming. How did I, Bridges Eaton, win the fucking cosmic jackpot to have Weston Aames in my life?

“What can I help you with?” the bartender asked.

“I’ll have two glasses of your best bourbon on the rocks.” I reached into my pocket to find my newly acquired favorite thing ever was still there, and I smiled.

So many things happened over the last year. I’d lost a dear friend, but I’d also found the love of my life. Weston had a big life ahead of him, and maybe it was selfish of me to want to keep him for myself, but I wanted to see what life had in store for him from the front row, right beside him.