Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 9

him. Besides, I'm still hoping to find me a big, burly cowboy tonight."
    The ride home was quiet. Michael had driven so Cole could drink and enjoy his party. He pulled into the visitor's spot in the garage at Cole's building and shut off the engine. Cole turned to face him, eyes glazed a little. "Thanks," he said, "that was fun. It's been the best birthday I've ever had."
    "You're welcome. I had a blast too. And watching you ride that bull was more of a gift for me than you."
    " Mmmm. You interested in being ridden, cowboy?"
    "Now that's definitely a gift for me."
    "Well, help me get all these presents upstairs, and I'll let you unwrap yours."
    They dropped all the packages on the dining room table. Cole held up one of the many new t-shirts he'd gotten. "I don't know how they manage to find ones I don't already have, but every year I get new ones." This one had a whisk on it with the words "Everybody needs a good whipping once in a while" printed across the front. "Speaking of presents. You never gave me yours."
    Oh, shit. Michael had been hoping Cole wouldn't remember. After talking with Eli, he wasn't sure about the whole thing, but he knew he didn't want to continue on the way they were. Taking a deep breath, he dug his unopened gift from the pile. "Here. I just thought it'd be better to give it to you in private."
    "Oooh. I like the sound of that." He took the gift and shook it.
    Michael felt like throwing up as he watched him tear the paper open, leaving him holding a black leather binder. "What's this," Cole asked. Michael's throat was suddenly dry. He had to swallow several times but managed to croak out, "Open it."
    Cole flipped back the cover. His eyes widened and his mouth gaped open. "Holy shit. You've designed my logo for me? This is amazing! Those graphics are so cool! Like anime style or something." He threw himself into Michael's arms and squeezed him hard. "It's perfect. I love it."
    Michael clung to Cole, irrationally fearing it could be the last time he ever got to do so. "Wait. There's more. Keep going."
    "There's more? You are the best boyfriend ever."
    He flipped the first page and sat staring at the next, his forehead crinkled in confusion. Watching the realization and disappointment dawn across Cole's face was the most horrible thing Michael had ever seen.
    "What is this?" Cole asked, knowing full well what Michael was asking.
    "I put together a portfolio of available sites in Cincinnati for a new bakery. I can't keep doing this, Cole. I want us to be together. You said you were thinking about opening another bakery somewhere and I just thought you could do it in Ohio and we could maybe buy a house together."
    "What about you?" Cole snapped. "You said you wanted to open another office too. Why not in Jersey?" Hearing the acidic tone of his own voice and seeing Michael wince put a damper on the anger that flared to life inside him at the mere thought of giving up everything he'd worked for. "Sorry," he said a bit more calmly. "I was just shocked I guess." He sucked in a deep breath and let it out on a sigh. "Although it's not like we didn't both know this was coming. I'm glad, I suppose that you finally brought it up."
    "I'm sorry too. I didn't mean to spring it on you. I've just been thinking about it a lot, and I miss you so much when we're apart."
    "Yeah, I miss you like crazy when you're not here. So, I guess we need to talk about this."
    "Yeah, we do."
    "Well, let's get ready for bed, and we can snuggle. If I'm not going to be screaming 'yee haw, cowboy' in our bed tonight, at least we can both be comfortable while we talk."
    They stripped down to their boxer briefs and brushed their teeth together, both feeling mellow and drained. They were going to talk about their future together, and although it meant major changes for them both, regardless of where they ended up, it was also a step toward settling the uncertainty that'd been plaguing them both.
    Cole slipped beneath the covers and rolled to face Michael. They both lay with one arm bent under their pillows, cheeks propped at an angle. Their free hands searched beneath the blanket for each other, fingers meeting and intertwining together. Michael ran his foot along Cole's ankle and calf before settling with his legs curled back, his knees touching Cole's.
    "So," Cole started, "you think I should move to Ohio with you. I have to be honest and say I don't like the idea, but I want to know why you think it's the best choice for both of