Forget Me Not, My Dear Omega

by Marianna Forrest

  Colton chuckled as he lowered himself next to his mate. He threw his arm around the back of the bench and cradled Sawyer in his warmth.

  Sawyer sighed and leaned into Colton’s body. “I was just thinking…Flowers saved me.”

  “How so?”

  “Flowers have always been part of my life. They were something I enjoyed with my parents. They loved every flower, even the ones most would overlook. We had a beautiful flower garden when I was growing up.” Sawyer felt his eyes burning.

  “Leaving it behind after losing them was hard. I had no way to bring it with me, of course, but it felt like I was leaving their memory, the last thing we did together as a family, behind.”

  Sawyer bit his lip. “I sometimes wonder if it’s still there, if the family who moved into our old place is enjoying it as much as we did.”

  “They would be fools to destroy something so beautiful.” Colton leaned back and relaxed into the bench. “I’ve seen what you can do, so I know it was gorgeous.”

  “It was. So many different blooms and colors. We even had a little butterfly bush in each corner. It was magical.” Sawyer smiled at the darkening sky.

  “Not was,” Colton whispered low in his ear. He wrapped his arm around Sawyer and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Is.”

  Sawyer felt the gloom melting from his body as sweet numbness sparked from the feeling of Colton’s lips against his skin. “Yeah, you’re right. It is.”

  Four tolls of the distant courthouse bell broke through the peace and quiet of the rooftop, and the noise from the car horns and sirens echoed from the streets below. Sawyer let his mind go blank, enjoying the calm air of the rooftop garden.

  “So, what’s next?” His voice was quiet, fatigue laced through each word.

  “I may have found some days when we can go down to Georgia. I got ahold of Cyrus earlier, and the timing couldn’t be better.” Colton ran a hand through his hair. “He’s taking a little break from work April 1st through the 15th. He said he’ll help us and that he’d be sticking around for a few days afterward.”

  Sawyer sat up and stretched. “That’s cool. We can set him up in the guest room. Not gonna let him stay in some ratty hotel. What are his plans?”

  “From what I could tell, I think he’s planning on scoping out the scene. He said he’s thinking about moving up here. I guess he’s ready for a change of scenery.”

  “Really? It would be nice if he does. You’ll have more friends up here. Is he gonna come to the Rite, too?”

  Colton nodded. “Probably. He’ll get some pretty sweet shots if he does.” Noting the look of confusion on Sawyer’s face, he continued, “He’s a photographer, and quite a successful one, too. He travels all over the world for his job!”

  “You speak very highly of him. I can’t wait to meet him and some of your other friends. I could use some juicy gossip about high-school Colton.” Sawyer smirked.

  “I didn’t make enough of a fool of myself when we first met?” Colton’s face fell. “It’s a wonder I didn’t die of embarrassment when we met in that bathroom again.”

  “I was trying not to laugh as you juggled that bottle, to be honest.”

  Colton arched his eyebrow. “Oh, is that why you were so red? And here I thought you were enamored with my sculpted calves.”

  Sawyer let his eyes drift to Colton’s legs. “Damn. You’re right.”

  “Anyway,” Colton leaned back. “I was thinking maybe we could leave a day early? We could swing by Bellcrest on the way down to Georgia. I mean, if you want–”

  “I would love that. So much. I want to see your hometown, and I want to meet your friends. I want to know everything.”

  “Everything might take a while, but I’ll show you what I can.” Colton rested his head against Sawyer’s. “Let’s get this done, my little Forget-Me-Not.”

  Chapter 14

  Sawyer groaned under his breath as he was pulled from his restless sleep. He flinched with each jarring bump in the quiet road. Back to the real world. The overly bright, way too lively world.

  A quiet tune played on the radio, though he couldn’t make out what song it was. He could feel the warm sunshine blazing across his face, barely reaching his half-lidded eyes.

  What time is it?

  “Yeah. Yeah, we just hit the state line. We’re gonna stay here for the night, and we’ll be up as early as we can.” Colton’s voice was quiet, barely discernible over the drone of the fans. “Sure thing. We should be there around lunch tomorrow.”

  Sawyer forced his eyes open and saw a single earbud hanging from Colton’s ear and connected to his phone which was sitting on the center console.

  “Yeah. Ha, ha, ha.” Colton sneered at the road. “Keep that sass up, and we’ll see what happens to your precious fried chicken deal.” Colton paused as a digitized voice came through the earbud. “Alright, take care of yourself, man. See you soon.”

  Colton fumbled blindly with one hand as he pressed his phone’s screen to end the call and pulled the earbud free, letting it fall into the cup-holder. He sighed. His strained eyes were focused intently on the road.

  Sawyer burrowed into the seat and peeked out the window. It was amazing how the scenery could change so vastly in just a few hours. Rather than the tall skyscrapers he was so used to, he saw wildflowers blooming on the side of the road. The bright, blue sky was visible for miles across open fields, and god-rays creeped through dark clouds that seemed hundreds of miles away.

  Despite the beauty of this new world, he couldn’t keep his eyes open. He and Colton had left Boston a little after 4am, and it was his turn to sleep, damn it. He rested his head on the warm strap of the seatbelt, hoping to catch a bit more sleep before they got to Bellcrest.

  “Keep sleeping on that seatbelt, and it’ll leave a mark.”

  Sawyer raised his head slightly and turned to Colton. He held his finger up in a pause. “Okay, listen. Whoever designed seatbelts like this was a genius. They’re perfect face hammocks for long trips like this.”

  Colton responded with a soft smile, then returned his eyes to the road.

  That’s not like him at all. Sawyer furrowed his eyebrows and sat up.

  “So, I hear we’re close?” Sawyer mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

  Colton jolted and gripped the steering wheel a bit tighter. “Yep. About thirty minutes until we hit Bellcrest.”

  “Are you excited?”

  “Of course!” Colton nodded a bit too quickly. Tense silence followed. “It’s gonna be great.”

  “You’re lying.”

  Colton’s face fell, and the van slowed slightly. “Is it that obvious…?”

  Sawyer sighed and pointed to his own face. “You get this twitch in your right eyebrow when you get nervous. Tell me what’s wrong. I promise, whatever is bugging you isn’t as bad as you’re making it out to be.”

  “It’s just, I haven’t been here since–” Colton shook his head. “Well…you know. I’m worried too many things have changed. I’m worried that if everything is different, little football-team, awkward-as-hell teenage Colton will disappear behind a crumbling wall,” He bit his lip. “like the life he knew didn’t exist.”

  “Except he won’t.” Sawyer leaned back in his seat and folded his arms behind his head. “Think about it. If you’re so worried about forgetting, doesn’t that mean it was real?”

  “When did you become a sophist?” Colton snickered.

  “Sophie’s the sophist. I’m the Saw-yist.” Sawyer grinned and cocked his head.

  “Ah, yes. A Saw-yist. Just as Owen is the top cocktologist in his field, so are you in the field of soy.”

  Sawyer bit his lip, and a serious look crossed his features. “Besides, sophists used mistaken arguments that were often proved wrong.” His face lit up with determination. “I’m not wrong about this.”

  Colton seemed more relaxed as he sunk into his seat. “Thank you for always knowing what to say.”

  “How soon we forget the bumbling mess I was when
we first met.”

  “Hey, I was, too. You got me more tongue-tied than the time I tried that cherry stem trick.” Colton glanced out his window and slowed the van. “Now, if you’ll turn your attention to the left… Check it out.” Colton motioned to his left and leaned back slightly so Sawyer could see.

  Sawyer peeked out the window and caught sight of a large, open field with a barn, some feeders, and–

  “Oh, my God, there must be hundreds of them. An army, even! I must have picked up some good karma somewhere down the line. Just look at all of them!” Sawyer gaped. Calves were scattered around the fields. Some stood inside the protective circle of the herd, while once-brave stragglers were scared away from the fence rows by the passing van.

  “There are lambs, too! Look at their fluffy bottoms!” Sawyer flinched as Colton’s husky laugh burst free next to him. “Don’t laugh at me. Between you and me, I don’t think you can comprehend just how fluffy their butts are.”

  Colton’s laughter died down as Sawyer settled back in his seat. “I’ve come to a decision. I want five of each.”

  “Where would we keep them?” Colton raised his eyebrow.

  “Wrong.” Sawyer rolled down his window and shuddered as the cool spring air washed across his face. “What you should be saying is, ‘Okay, dear. We’ll put a barn on the roof of the shop. No problem!’”

  “That sounds adorable, but I can only imagine the urban rendition of Old MacDonald every time someone comes over.”

  “Exactly.” Sawyer crossed his arms. His eyes held fast to the road ahead of them. A large blue and white sign stood on the side of the road. “Hey, is that…?”

  Colton took a deep breath. “We have a–”

  “Don’t you dare make that joke again.” Sawyer’s eyes snapped to his mate. “I will turn this van around, mister.”

  “Thankfully, I’m the one driving.” Colton smirked. “Welcome to Bellcrest.” He pointed to the sign.

  “Jeez, how fast were you going?” Sawyer squinted at the sign. “Scratch that question. Is that a chicken, wearing a medal, on that sign?”

  “Welcome to Bellcrest, Home of Prize-winning Poultry.” Colton quoted the sign from memory.

  “Prize-winning poultry.” Sawyer repeated. “Okay, but poultry is such a weird word. Couldn’t have chosen something different?”

  “Well, we couldn’t write Award-winning Cocks on it.” Colton shifted and leaned closer, whispering, “That’s not appropriate.”

  “But it’s proven true.” Sawyer nodded and sheepishly raised a finger to his lips.

  “Huh?”

  Sawyer licked his lips. “You were born and raised here, after all.”

  “You cheeky little…” Colton snorted. “And Boston must be known for blue ribbon buns. Also proven true.”

  “Oh, that was a good one.” Sawyer snickered.

  “I aim to please.” Colton grabbed a bottle of water from the cup-holder and took a long swig.

  “Well, consider my buns pleased.”

  Water spurted from Colton’s mouth with a cough, cascaded down, and soaked his pants.

  Sawyer didn’t miss a beat. “Hey, now you’re all–”

  “Stop, please! Have mercy.” Colton put his drink down and lightly pounded his chest in a fit of coughing laughter.

  “Soaked to the bone?”

  “How come you’re allowed to make these jokes, but I can’t?” Colton groaned. “Do you have something against the GPS?”

  “Yeah, listen. The GPS and I, we have a long, dark history together. It involves a never-ending night on the road and its incessant robotic voice telling me I need to cut through every construction zone and drive through every river. One big loop. Forever,” Sawyer leaned closer. “and ever.”

  Colton shuddered as his mate sat up straight again, and Sawyer’s gaze drifted to the not-so-distant town across the fields. It was a charming, little, sweet-as-pie hamlet nestled in the valley between golden fields and mountains, and it called out warmly to residents and visitors alike.

  “On a side note, you never told me this place was straight out of a fairy tale.”

  “White picket fences and everything.” Colton grinned and slowed the van as they got closer to the town limits. He pointed to a vibrant building on the square, a pop of color and character against the already animated structures.

  “See that diner over there? Best ribs this side of North Carolina. We used to go there every Sunday after church. Not a far walk, as you can see.” He motioned across the street.

  Sawyer leaned forward and ducked beneath the visor. He bonked his head before he pushed the visor up in frustration. A well-kempt church with beautiful stained-glass windows sat at the top of a small rise, as if keeping a watchful eye on the town around it.

  Colton’s gaze wandered to a small park. “And that park. Cyrus and I would go there with the rest of the guys after school. It looks like they kind of let it go, though.” The grass had grown tall, and the old playground equipment sported peeled paint and rust. The paved area set aside for basketball games had cracked and faded, and the hoop was bent from countless slam dunks.

  “Let’s see, what else…? This town used to be one big farm. There’s a big house built on the boundaries that was said to be the first here. Or so my Pa said.” Colton swung down a road that led through the fields. They had only driven a mile or so before Colton’s face fell.

  “What the hell? Did they–?” Colton squinted and furrowed his eyebrows. “They tore it down?”

  Sawyer raised his gaze and saw a plot of nearly empty land scattered with splintered support beams and burn piles. “It looks like it happened pretty recently.” He grimaced.

  “My great-great-grandpa worked on that house. The family who owned it passed it down for generations. What the hell happened?”

  Sawyer shook his head and gripped Colton’s arm, giving it a gentle squeeze.

  “Well, there are still a few more places to see on the way to the house. Maybe the old bakery is still there…” Colton’s voice drifted as he drove down a road that led further into town.

  Colton could feel his emotions getting restless. The further into town he took them, the more things had changed. The bakery was long gone, replaced with a modern dance studio. The old sports bar and eatery was nothing but an empty lot, the product of a fire. Even the old, weather-worn grain mill on the edge of town had fallen apart bit by bit.

  At least the road to his old house was as he remembered it—old, cracked, and full of potholes.

  “Tell me about your house.”

  Colton looked quizzically at his mate.

  Sawyer continued. “You’re so nervous about what might have changed. So, tell me, what does it look like? What’s the area around it like? Say it out loud so the image sticks in your head.” Sawyer lifted his gaze to meet Colton’s. His kept steady contact with Colton’s eyes. “Even if everything has changed, what you grew up knowing was real. I promise.”

  Colton shuddered when he saw the determination in his mate’s stare. Of course, he was right. Sawyer always knew just what to do when he needed help.

  “It was a large, two-story house with a barn and a huge garden. There were always plants on the porch, and a swing that Pa built hung off to the side. The siding on the house was pale yellow, and the shutters were a beautiful shade of blue. Ma painted them herself.”

  “Good. What else?”

  “Well, let’s see…There was a decorative well in the yard that Ma and Lukas planted a bunch of flowers around. There were tons of fruit trees, and on the fence rows, honeysuckles, morning glories, and blackberries. And there was a big maple tree in the side yard.”

  “Is that it down the road?” Sawyer pointed to a large home in the fields.

  “Yeah. That’s it,” Colton confirmed. A sigh escaped his lips. “The old maple tree is gone, though. Shit, my great-grandpa planted that tree when he built the place.”

  “He built this entire place?” Sawyer’s eyes widened. “That’s amazi
ng!”

  “Yeah…” Colton pulled the van to a stop on the shoulder of the road as he looked over the old farm. He paused on the once-worn barn, which had been remodeled into a large garage.

  “You know, we raised so many animals in that barn.” Colton’s hushed voice was laced with nostalgia. “Dairy cows, sheep, goats, chickens, you name it.”

  “Tell me all about them. Did you have a favorite?”

  Colton chuckled. “Is that a trick question? All of them. But Tilda was my baby.”

  “Tilda?”

  “She was the smallest calf born the summer before I started high school. Her ma rejected her, so I bottle-fed her until she was strong enough to survive on her own. She was a gentle-giant that would wait by the fence rows for the school bus every afternoon.”

  A smile flashed across his face. “Thankfully, she went to a good home around here. All our animals did. Our neighbors were…well, saints, after everything that happened.”

  “You mentioned a decorative well, yeah?” Sawyer motioned toward the distant farmhouse. “Is that what I think it is?”

  Colton held his hand over his eyes, shading them from the evening sun. “Yeah. And the flowers Ma and Lukas planted are still there.”

  “See?” Sawyer laced his fingers through Colton’s. “It was real.”

  A few moments passed as they stared at the old farmhouse. In the distance, thunder rumbled across the fields. Colton’s nose twitched before a smile flitted across his lips. “Rain on the wind. Can you smell it?”

  Sawyer inhaled deeply, and his eyes shot open. “I can. Clean, refreshing, and pure.”

  “Some things never change,” Colton whispered. He paused for a moment. I wonder…

  “You up for one last stop before we get to the motel?”

  “Absolutely. Show me!” Sawyer grinned excitedly as he hopped back into the van. “Where are we going?”

  “A secret place for the most secret of meetings.” Colton pulled his door shut and cranked the engine. “It’s not far.”

  They rolled down a gravel road that led from the farmhouse and bordered a shallow creek. Sawyer watched intently as herons waded through the trickling water and picked through the murk with ease. He didn’t notice when the van stopped at the edge of a field.