by Shane Morton
I had originally thought we would choose the pumpkin spice cake… I mean it’s fall, right? But Blake said that we have enough pumpkin spice in the world already, and it would be overkill. But it was delicious, even if we didn’t choose it.
The red velvet is going to look great, though. I think Blake made the right choice. We may only have one bakery in town, but they have to be one of the best in the entire world.
“So… Hollywood. We have to take care of the food next. We really have two choices that I think would work for the wedding because the dinner, as much as we all love it, won’t be right for the wedding.”
“Alright, lifeguard. What are they?”
I pulled the car over into the Pleasant Credit Union and came to a stop. I put the car in park and pulled out two menus from the glove compartment I had put in there earlier.
“So we have The Point Pleasant Winery which would be a one-stop-shop for food and booze. The drawback is they would only be serving wine, and we would have to have a separate bar and bar staff for any beer or hard liquor that we would want to serve. According to Everett’s wish list, he wants a signature cocktail, so that would mean something other than wine. But the food is amazing there. And then,” I handed them the other menu. “we would have the chalet where I work in the winter. It’s also a five-star restaurant, and the food is also amazing, and they would have a full bar.”
“Do they prefer one more than the other? I think that’s the answer,” Blake said, handing the menus back to me. “They both look great, so I think it’s a matter of which do they like better. Or, perhaps it’s just logistical. The chalet will provide everything and the Winery can’t. I think that’s the best answer, don’t you?”
“Yeah… That makes sense. We already are crunched for time, so why make it crazier than it needs to be. I’m going to be getting the tables and chairs from the chalet anyway. Okay. Let’s go up there and talk to them.” I suggested.
“Is that it for today?” Blake asked curiously. “Flowers, cake and food- all in one day. Hey! If they cater won’t they also provide all of the silver, plates, and napkins too?”
“Yeah, I guess they would,” I glanced over at him. He raised his hand in a high five and realized I would probably leave him hanging, but this time, I didn’t. He smiled widely. His full lips made me want to smash my face into them… but Blake was a straight boy, and even if he wasn’t, he was an actor. Our lives were totally different from each other. We were miles apart, even if we were sitting in the cab of my truck together.
“So you didn’t answer my question. Is that it for today?” Blake asked again, looking over at me like he hoped it was the end. Maybe he was tired of babysitting me.
“Yeah. And all before one. If this goes well, we really got a lot done today. I can’t fucking believe it.” I replied, putting the truck in drive and heading out of the parking lot.
“You think we would have a little time to ski? It could be fun, and I’d like to see you in action. Evan said you could have gone pro if you had wanted to.” He was excited about it, and I didn’t really have a good reason to say no.
“Well, let’s see how all of this goes today. If we can get out of there at a decent time, we may be able to get a downhill or two in. But, if not, there’s always tomorrow. All we really have to do is grab the hay and find some Halloween decorations that would work for the maze.” I suggested. “Perhaps that would be better, anyway. I don’t have any of my gear in the truck since I’m not working this week.”
“Aren’t we going to the Harvest Festival tomorrow night?” Blake said, excited at the idea. “I have never been to anything like that in my life. It sounds fun. You know, Point Pleasant is actually quite nice. I see why people like it here. I can see why all of you stayed. I ran away from home as soon as I turned eighteen.”
“Yeah? Evan has said that your parents were a little…” I stopped myself. They were his parents, after all.
“Cold would be a good word to use. They preferred jetting all over the world instead of raising children. They meant well, I guess, they just shouldn’t have had kids, probably. Evan and I took care of each other and we, of course, had our revolving door of nannies. It didn’t suck being born with a silver spoon, but it wasn’t the most loving of places.” He sighed, his fists clenching at his jeans. “I hated leaving Evan. But, I needed to get out, and he was just a couple years younger than me. Still, it drove a little wedge between us for a bit.”
“He is mad about you. Honestly, he was so excited that you were finally coming in,” I replied, a little uncomfortable at the honesty. Talking family meant I had to admit I didn’t have one anymore.
“Yeah, well you will see when they arrive in a flurry. Dad can’t stop making money, and Mom can’t stop spending it. They mean well. I just hope they behave and don’t embarrass Evan when they’re here. They can be… a lot. Very high maintenance. They will hate the Halloween theme, I can tell you that,” He laughed loudly. “Watching them walk through the maze will be worth it though.”
“I’ll make sure there are photos then.”
We both looked at each other, a look of horror on our face.
“Fuuuuck,” he said.
“Yep. Add that shit to our list. We need to get a photographer. Ev squared sucks right now.”
“They sure do,” he agreed. “This drive up the mountain is beautiful.”
“Yeah… I sometimes have to remind myself that it’s mine, you know? I took it for granted for so long and now… Well, I guess you can say I can’t really get enough of it.”
I turned onto the road that took us up to the chalet. The tree line was as breathtaking as always, and Blake couldn’t stop himself from audibly gasping at how gorgeous it was.
“Damn… So tomorrow? Promise?” he asked, hopeful.
“If we can find a photographer. I’m happy to be your guide.”
The rest of the day went as good as it could. The chalet was taking care of the food, alcohol, all the table settings, and the tables and chairs. In just one day we got a lot done.
By the time I dropped him off, we were tired.
“Hey,” you got any plans tonight?” he asked before he shut the door. “The boys are working late tonight so they can be free for the festival tomorrow. Do you want to grab dinner and drinks? I mean, if you're not tired of me yet?” He winked at me. It was frustratingly adorable.
“Surprisingly not tired of you yet,” I smiled at him. “Sure. I’ll run home and shower and meet you just around the block at the Moosehead. Think you can find it?”
“I’ll be there. Say in an hour?” Blake asked.
“Sure,” I replied, shaking my head lightly at the turn the day had taken.
“It’s a date then,” he shut the door and ran up the stairs to let himself into Mrs. Markles.
A date?
Screw your head on straight. That’s not what he meant. Was it?
9
Blake
Today was a great day! Point Pleasant is definitely up there as one of the most charming places I have ever visited, and the scenery is spectacular. The mountains and the passes and all of the greenery is awe-inspiring. Danny said there were tons of hiking trails, and even if I lived here, it would be hard to know all of them. Honestly, I’ve only been here for two days, and I see why people want to move here. It’s not that it’s quaint, and it is, but it’s more than that. The people here actually seem to be happy. Maybe it’s because life isn’t a roller coaster here like it is in the big cities, but there are a lot of companies that have offices up here. I was surprised at how many. So there’s job stress just like everywhere else, I mean Evan and Everett are a prime example of that. But they are still incredibly happy.
And then there’s Danny. I couldn’t believe I said, ‘it’s a date.’ I blushed all the way up to my room. I probably scared him off. I’ll get to The Moosehead, whatever that is, and he won’t be there. He will have decided, I am not worth it, or perhaps he now thinks I’m a crazy person. What
ever, I didn’t mean it that way… Or did I?
Fuuuck.
“I might have meant it that way,” I say to a passing birch tree as I walk by. I stop to admire its white trunk, the bark rough and peeling as it prepared itself for fall. “Well, fuck. This isn’t going to go anywhere, is it?”
I have a crush on Danny. Holy shit… He’s just so fucking hot and that bad boy- I don’t give a shit attitude… It’s hard to resist. I guess I have a type. But, I really don’t know him, and he definitely doesn’t want to let me in, so where does that even leave us? I mean, I could fuck him, but Evan would probably kill me if I did that.
We are both adults, and he probably doesn’t even think about me that way, so it really doesn’t matter, does it? Yeah… It does.
I walk up to a long log cabin with a sign in front of it, The Moosehead. I walk up onto the porch, which has rocking chairs all lined up for people to sit outside, I reckon. When I open the door, I almost want to laugh. There is a giant stuffed moose head mounted with its gigantic antlers sitting above the bar.
I look around, and of course- I beat Danny here. They warned me he was never on time. I walk over and take a seat at one of the booths in the corner. It’s a dark place, more of a dive bar than I imagined. But, I did Google the Moosehead, and it supposedly has excellent food. Actually, a dive bar seems perfect. It has a very Point Pleasant air to it. It’s not trying to be anything more than it is, just like the rest of the town. I really am falling in love with the place and plan on visiting much more often. It’s great to escape the rat race that is LA.
Before the waitress can come over, the door opens, and Danny strides in. Damn… he looks good. Those chocolate curls of his make me a little weak in the knees. And that strong face… He really is fucking gorgeous. Blue eyes, high cheekbones, a square jaw… he oozes manliness and testosterone, and that is a heady mixture. I bet he’s a wildcat in the sack too.
He sees me and walks over. His cowboy boots… COWBOY BOOTS… echo on the hardwood floor. Fuuuuck. I had no idea that I had a cowboy fetish and I know he’s not really one, but damn… Save a horse- ride a cowboy.
“Hey,” he said as he slid into the booth across from me. Our knees knock into each other. “Oops… Sorry.”
He’s wearing a tight t-shirt that says ‘UC Denver.’ Very collegiate and suddenly I have frat-boy fantasies in my head. He smells good. Is he wearing cologne? Nice…
“You been waiting long?” he asked casually as if it didn’t matter.
“Nope, just got here myself. This place is…”
“Awesome right? You have to get the beer burger, seriously, you will thank me later.” He grinned, waiving over to the waitress.
“How do you eat all of this and look like you do? If I ate the way you did, I would be twenty pounds heavier.”
“You look like you never pass up a gym, Hollywood. I’m sure you would be fine.” The waitress walked over. “Hi, Sandy. How’s it going?”
“It’s great…” She glanced over at me. “Is this Blake Hudson your sitting with? Oh my god! I am a huge fan of LA Patrol… It’s like one of the best TV shows ever. I’m sorry… You probably just want to eat, and here I am gushing.”
“Uh… before I leave, if you want, I’d be happy to take a photo or something,” I smiled at her, I’m used to this.
“That would be epic! Thank you,” she looked back to Danny. “So you want the usual, cutie?”
“Let’s make it two of the usual, Sandy. And,” he turned to me. “You like IPA’s Blake?”
I nodded.
“Great! Two of the Moosehead IPA’s, please. How’s the kid Sandy?”
“Oh, you know… If I could get him off of the slopes so he could clean his room, it would be a miracle. Thank you for all the lessons, Danny. It’s really helped a lot.”
“Hey, no problem. That kid has a real shot, Sandy. By the time he graduates high school, he could be on Team USA, I know it.” Danny smiled at her. Such a lovely smile…
“Well, that would be because of you. I’ll get those drinks for you,” she turned and started walking away. “Fucking Blake Hudson… Goddamn!”
“You just made her day, Hollywood,” he said as he rested his hands on the table. “You think I can get a selfie too?” he teased.
“Oh, I think that is very possible,” I grinned. I had to stop myself from reaching over and grabbing his hand and confessing that I had a thing.
“I am fucking exhausted. I mean, totally beat,” Danny threw his arms onto the table and leaned in. “Seriously, I would rather be doing almost anything else in the world, right now than think about that wedding. Every time we get something done, we think of two more things.”
“Yeah, planning a wedding is a lot of work,” I said, trying to resist reaching over to ruffle those gorgeous curls. “Not that I would have ever known.”
“You’ve never almost settled down, Blake?” He rested his head on his hands and looked up at me with those piercing blue eyes.
“Not really,” I sighed, deciding on the spot how much I would share. “There were a couple people that I thought I saw a future with a while ago, but I was wrong.”
“I bet they were actresses? You seem to date a lot of them, according to People Magazine.” He smiled. But it didn’t look like a happy smile, it was a little strained at the edges.
“Yeah… You shouldn’t believe everything you read,” I chuckled. There was an actress. She got a healthy dose of fame and award show nominations, and she never looked back. I figure I was lucky to find out the truth earlier rather than later.”
“What about the other one? I bet she was a director. It always seems to me that you Hollywood types, well according to the tabloids, that all of you just seem to date each other.”
“It is a little incestuous. Most of it is fake though. People are put together by publicity teams more often than actual dating… But yeah, it is a little like that.” I agreed. When I put it like that- it didn’t seem like much of a life.
Sandy brought us our beers. Each of the frosty mugs had a Moosehead engraved onto it. “Here you go boys,” she said as she sauntered away. We clinked our glasses together and took a sip.
“You’re right. This is great.” I beamed over at him. It had just the right amount of hops. “They brew it here?”
“Told you it was great. Soooo, the other one?” Danny pushed. “What happened?”
“Do I get to grill you after this, Lifeguard?” I teased, chuckling lightly. I wasn’t sure if I should share the other one… If I took the top off of that bucket of worms- I wouldn’t be able to put it back on. But I wanted to tell him. I wanted him to know. My gut told me to do it, but my head said danger ahead.
“I’m an open book,” he looked at me with that lopsided puppy dog grin, and I knew I was sunk.
“Well, the other person was not in the industry at all. He was an accountant.” I said slowly.
Blake jumped backward in his booth and almost knocked his beer over. “What! He? Well, shit… this just got interesting.” He leaned back in and dropped his voice.
“Yep… He. Just a plain old numbers guy and as much as I liked him… He didn’t want to be my little secret, not that I could blame him there.” I shrugged.
“Cause you live your life in the closet, of course. Yeah… So, you’re bi?”
“Yes, and yes… It’s not perfect, and I am definitely not perfect, but that is my truth, Danny.”
“That’s kind of sad, Blake. I mean, the having to hide who you are from everyone.” He said sincerely.
“Lots of people know I date guys. It’s just that my agents and everyone around me wants to keep it from the press. I don’t really understand why, anymore. There are a lot of actors out of the closet, and they seem to do fine. But, because of the roles I get, my people always thought it was for the best. I’ve actually stopped caring about hiding it, for the most part. I just haven’t found anyone to make me want to make that change, you know?” I leaned in when I realized I had been
talking in full voice. There was only 1 other person in the place, and they didn’t seem to be paying any attention to me.
“So you would come out?” he asked, lightly, as if it didn’t matter to him.
“I think I would. I guess I won’t know until it happens. But, I would like to think, at this time in my life, I wouldn’t make the same mistake. I would choose love if it came down to it.” I said seriously, believing what I said.
“I always thought that sounded lonely. Hiding who you are,” Danny sat back in the booth, his muscled shoulders flexing as he adjusted himself. I admit… It was pretty hot. “I came out in high school with Everett. He was the first person I told, and he was shocked by it, cause I was a jock. I felt safe telling him though, since I always thought he was, you know, like me. We both came out at school shortly after and to our parents. It wasn’t as bad as we thought it might be. Everyone was pretty cool about it. The Pleasant is a pretty liberal town,” he laughed.
“So? What’s your love story?” I asked, really wanting to know. This time it was me who leaned in closer, waiting to hear his story.
“I think you mean anti-love story,” he laughed huskily.
“Okay, that’s a little dark,” I grimaced. “Has it been that bad?”
“Let’s just say that the only boyfriend that has ever been good for me was Everett. I guess you know how that ended. It was inevitable. We loved each other, of course, but we loved the idea of each other more than we were ever in love, I think. Who doesn’t want to fall in love with their best friend?” his voice held a sadness to it as if there were more to the story that he wasn’t telling me. I definitely understood that.
“It still wrecked me though and made me wake up, eventually. I wasn’t in the right place, and we weren’t right for each other, anyway. We were…” Danny stopped for a second, searching for the word he wanted. He took his beer and spun it around on the table while he thought. “…Placeholders for someone else. It just took us a little bit to understand that, I guess. Well, it took me a little bit, anyway. Everett has always been the smart one. He knew before I did. The break up made me sad because I was afraid I had fucked things up with my best friend. Losing him as a lover… I could deal with it. The thought of losing him as my brother was crushing.”
