Episode 4 ^4/4: Time to recharge.

The peace of a forest was all around them. Tall trees, their own clearing, fresh air. And a sparkling lake that wasn’t all that far away. Court loved this lake!

“I don’t have a clue how to set one of these up,” Jaz was looking at the instructions. Ang was next to Jaz shaking her head.

Sam moved closer, “need a hand?”

“You know how to put up a tent?” Geo was glaring. Most likely because he was wanting to offer help, but Sam had beaten him to it.

Behind the safety of the open car trunk, Court shared a grin with Crys.

Sam’s grin held a cruel edge as he walked on past. There was a taunt in the flicker of his eyebrows.

Unaware of the exchange, Jaz was dropping her arms, “that would be so great!”

Sam got to work without needing instructions or help. He moved around making minor corrections to the work they’d already put in. Then he began putting together the poles that would hold the tent up.

Jaz had a question for Sam, “how come Peyton didn’t want to come?”

“When you took him to the spa, how well did he fit in?”

She gave a thoughtful nod, “really well.”

“Very well,” Ang laughed. “Like it wasn’t his first spa date.”

There was a small smile from Sam, “that’s why he didn’t come.”

“That’s hardly fair,” Jaz laughed. “I adore the spa and I still come camping every year.”

“Trust me Jaz,” Geo looked her way, “you’re one in a million.”

Jaz looked proud!

Geo got back to work with Tanner on their tent. The guys would share one tent and the girls were in the other, with Ty and Sam in their own. It was already set up thanks to Sam. It appeared that Sam had done a good job. Court got back to unloading their luggage with Crys’ help. She was walking over from putting her sister’s next to where Sam was working.

Crys looked adorable in braided pigtails and jean shorts. She caught him looking and blushed. He wouldn’t apologize. They shared a light kiss unseen by the others. Then she helped him pull out Geo’s heavy bag. As he set it on the ground, she was pulling out Sam’s bag. It was barely anything compared to Geo’s.

“Sam, you barely have anything. Didn’t you bring more?”

He looked over, “we’re only here for 3 days. Most of that’s my art. Watch it.”

She laughed at the warning, “how can you live on so little?”

Ty was walking up. He’d gone to collect firewood so that they could start one right away and get supper going. A sheen of sweat dampened his forehead and had his arms glistening. Sam was watching.

Jaz watched Sam work despite the distraction, “and how do you know how to put one of these together without looking at what you’re doing?”

“Spent almost two years living out of a tent. Can put one up in the dark,” Sam sounded distracted.

Ty was setting up a spot to chop the wood into kindling.

“You lived in a tent?” Ang’s question snapped Sam out of his distraction.

Angry eyes glared accusation at Ty, who mimed a kiss at Sam. Hands moved to remove the t-shirt he was wearing.

“Don’t you dare,” Jaz scolded Ty! “You keep that shirt on while the rest of us are here.”

“Killjoy,” Sam muttered. He turned his attention back to the girls’ tent.

Ty was smiling. He picked up the hatchet.

“You were about to tell us about being homeless,” Geo gave the reminder. It earned him a cold glare. In response, Geo returned the earlier brow-flick.

“Todd left on the bus this morning, I swear,” Sam told them. “We didn’t have to run away.”

“We’re not running. We’re recharging,” Crys offered.

Court added on, “this is the first weekend the lake is open for the season. You don’t know it, but this is a tradition. Besides, we deserve a break and a couple of missed days won’t make a difference.”

“They could for the production. We’re getting ready to launch the trailer,” Tanner pointed out. They’d dragged him out with them, so it was no surprise to hear the subtle tone of annoyance.

“They’re fine,” Court, Geo, and Jaz reprimanded.

“And Sam’s evading,” Ang brought them back to the topic. “But it won’t work.”

“My past is none of your business,” Sam put the last of the poles in place.

“How about this,” Jaz came up with an idea, “you tell us something and you’ll get a reward.”

“I’m not a dog doing tricks,” the tent was up.

“But I promise it’ll be worth your while,” she coaxed.

Sam moved about the tent making the final minor adjustments to ensure it didn’t collapse.

Jaz put sweetness in her tone, “I’ll let Ty take off his shirt.”

There was no indication that Sam had heard, or that he cared. Those final adjustments were made to Sam’s satisfaction. The tent wasn’t going anywhere. Stepping away, he retrieved his art bag. And then found himself a spot to sit in the chairs Crys had been setting up for them.

The sketchbook was being flipped open, “I didn’t have time to pack anything when I ran away. So, I spent part of the first year living on the streets, sleeping under bits of cardboard and hitchhiking. Turns out life is more comfortable in a tent, so I got one. Keeping your tent with you is key otherwise it’s gone. And we’re constantly being chased out, so you learn how to be real quick setting them up and taking them down. Happy now?”

Ty was smiling that warm one that said he was deeply in love. Slow movements removed his shirt as Sam watched with smug interest.

Seeing that Crys was watching, Court ran over to cover her eyes, “you don’t need to see! Ty isn’t the norm.”

“That’s for sure,” Sam muttered happily as his fingers began to sketch.

Crys was laughing as she pulled at his hands. But he wasn’t letting her watch. He didn’t need that sort of competition that he couldn’t compare to, and he was insecure enough to make sure he didn’t have to.

Tanner picked up the cooler Court had put down to run over to Crys. It had their drinks. He called over to Ty, “stop showing off and finish cutting that wood. It’s getting late and we’re hungry.”

“I know he is,” Ty was looking at Sam. Sam smiled back, glancing from the tops of his eyes.

“This is your fault,” Geo looked at Jaz. With a shrug she showed that she wasn’t remorseful.

Ang pulled at her friend’s arm to get her to help put the luggage inside the tent. Releasing Crys, he directed her towards the tent to help.

“Put on your shirt,” he ordered over his shoulder.

It was Sam that answered, “I was made a promise. Don’t forget what happened to Kurt.”

The threat was empty and garnered laughter.

The cooler was set down close to Sam. Tanner took the chance to look over Sam’s shoulder, “nice work! Did you have a chance to review the requests on the cover work?”

Distraction was heavy in Sam’s tone, “do you have an off switch?”

“Hah,” Court laughed out loud. “He’s right. You’re supposed to be relaxing this weekend, not working.”

Tanner’s cell was going off as though to argue the statement.

“You said you’d turned that off,” Geo reminded.

But Tanner was shaking his head, “I said it would be smart too. I’m expecting an important call.”

Before anyone could argue, Tanner answered the call. His business tone came out, “thank you for making the time to call me.”

He looked over at the others, “do you know what it’s about?”

The head shakes said that no one did. The girls were emerging from their tent. When they saw Tanner on the phone, cross expressions came out.

“I’m glad you like it. We’re working with a talented artist who did the logo design.”

At Tanner’s words, Sam’s head had snapped up. Fear was a backlight in his eyes. Ty had stopped what he was doing to watch. The warning in his eyes completely changed the tenor of the moment.

Not oblivious to it, Tanner returned a questioning look. His tone remained the same as he said, “he works anonymously through an agent. I can hook you up with the agent if you think you’d have work for him.”

The look Tanner gave said ‘I told you so’. But Sam still looked uneasy. Ty walked over to pull Sam from the chair. Protective arms wrapped around his boyfriend. Back to chest, Sam slid his hands over Ty’s arms.

“I’d absolutely take help with promoting!” Tanner was listening avidly. “I’m just at the lake with my family this weekend. If you don’t mind waiting, I can send you everything we have when I’m back.”

Tanner was pacing around with excitement. He’d go back right now if they’d let him, which wasn’t going to happen.

“No, I’m my own assistant,” he laughed this off. But then his face fell flat and he remarked, “my family says that same thing.”

The way he pouted was reminiscent of Sam.

“I’ll consider that,” he didn’t sound pleased. The smile would start to come back in a moment as he listened. Tanner nodded, “thank you so much. Really! This is more than I could ask for.”

He was listening again.

And the beginnings of his smile fell away again, “I’ll learn to start asking for help. Yes…thank you. I’ll send you everything when I’m back. And I’ll assign someone to be my assistant.”

“Yes,” Jaz held a merciless grin. As Tanner hung up, she was the first to claim, “I’m your assistant.”

“It’s not as glamorous as it sounds in your head,” Tanner warned. “It’s all the petty chores that take up my time.”

“I like whoever that person is,” Court cast his vote.

“Who is it?” Sam’s voice was tense. Ty’s hands were pulling at the zipper on Sam’s hoodie. Sam seemed to breathe slower when a hand moved over his heart.

Ty now asked, “who was that, Tanner?”

“A former student at the university. A professor reached out to him about the production. He’s doing well in the field and has offered to help by making suggestions. That’s all.”

Ty came up with a recommendation, “run it through Peyton, and don’t give Sam’s name.”

“I already promised I wouldn’t. I will keep that promise,” Tanner assured Sam as well as Ty.

Ty kissed Sam’s ear, “okay? Just close your eyes.”

Weirdly, Sam did.

Ty held him, whispering in his ear.

Geo nodded at the others, “let’s get supper going.”

Court had a thought, “you expecting any other important calls?”

“Nope,” he shook his head.

“Then turn that thing off.”

“I agree,” Jaz backed him. Like the others, she was watching Ty hold Sam as though no one else was around.

Tanner obeyed and turned his cell off. They all moved about getting supper going. The sunset was in motion now heightening the chill about them. Sweaters were retrieved. Burgers and hotdogs were being pulled as Geo went about setting up the fire. One by one, they would claim their spots next to that fire. Sam and Ty would eventually join them with no explanation as to their moment, and no one would ask.

By the time supper was ready and the sun was almost gone, everyone had a seat around the fire. Court took in the moment. His brother, sitting next to Jaz, was opening a bottle of water for her. Ang had Tanner’s attention about the production. Ty and Sam were having a moment. He’d almost taken this away from them. What would have happened if Sam hadn’t figured out what Todd was doing?

“Stop that,” Crys took a seat next to him.

“I’m not,” but he was.

She was looking at him pointedly, “you’re playing the what if game in your head.”

“I don’t want something like that to happen ever again.”

“Of course you don’t,” she smiled. “No one does. But because of who you are, Ty met you. And that triggered a chain of events that brought this family together. So, even if we come across another Todd, I think that price is worth what we have together.”

“I agree with that,” Tanner showed that he’d heard their conversation.

“Completely,” Jaz affirmed.

“We make decisions as a family,” which was Geo’s way of comforting his brother.

“What do you say?” Ty was definitely teasing Sam now.

“You’re all annoying,” Sam feigned annoyance, “but I guess I can stick around.”

Laughing softly, Ty had Sam’s left hand. He was kissing the knuckles, drawing out the softness in Sam’s eyes.

Crys offered her hand to him with a warm smile. Enjoying everything about this moment, he laced his fingers through hers.

“Do you want me to come get you? Or better yet,” Geo interrupted himself, “do you need me to? And don’t be strong. Say what you need.”

“Who’s the parent?” Was his mom’s reply.

“Mom,” he wasn’t going to budge.

“I’m okay, I promise. I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow morning. I’ll mention it to her, okay? So now, why are you up? It’s late.”

And that was to be the end of the discussion about his mom’s health. With a sigh, he admitted to her, “got a little more on my mind than I want to. And I don’t mean you!”

“Your brother?”

“Of course,” he grinned. “Todd crossed a line and he’s pretending not to have a hard time processing.”

“That boy that followed him from high school?”

“Yah, that one,” he stepped out of his room into the living room. He would go grab a coffee since he was up anyway.

Movement from the couch caught his eye. Sam was avoiding eye contact, but even in the dark it was easy to see there was a burden keeping him awake.

He blocked Sam’s path to the stairs, but kept talking on the phone, “you want me to come tomorrow?”

“I’m really okay.”

“You’ll tell the doctor you’re not sleeping?” He was holding Sam’s annoyed eye contact.

“I promise you. I’ll call you after, okay? Maybe the three of us can have supper and we can get your brother to talk about what happened?”

“I’d like that. He would too. We’ll talk tomorrow then,” he promised her.

“Good night. I love you,” her sweet words reached his heart and he smiled.

“We love you too,” the call ended. And he spoke to Sam, “what’s going on?”

“You stay up all night solving people’s problems?” Sam would try to pick a fight to avoid the issue.

It made him smile, “I’m grabbing a coffee. You want?”

Sam paused just long enough to consider the offer. His nod was consent. They moved to the machine. Geo pulled two mugs. Sam looked at the selection of coffee, but it was clear that his mind was somewhere else. If he wanted to talk, he’d find a way to do it.

But in case Sam needed a little time, he let him in on the call, “that was our mom. She’s sick and going through treatments. I saw her online so figured she was up in pain.”

“Means you were already up,” Sam pointed out. Without actually asking, he’d managed to ask.

With a soft laugh, “Jaz couldn’t sleep.”

Sam’s question was surprising, “does taking care of others make you feel better? Or is it just something people expect of you?”

There had been no criticism in the way Sam approached the topic. It seemed that he was interested. While the machine brewed Sam’s cup, his choice in pods danced between his hands. Slowly he nodded, “I think it’s both. We teach people how we want to be treated, and I do feel better when I’m taking care of others. Maybe it’s a control thing.”

Sam nodded acceptance, “nothing wrong with that. Control helps to keep us safe.”

He passed Sam his mug. His went in next. It wouldn’t have hurt his feelings any if Sam had walked away right now. But he stayed. Geo looked over, “seems counter to what you’d be experiencing with Ty.”

It was Sam’s turn to laugh. The darkness of the room almost hid the grin, “I think a lot about that. I don’t get to overthink with him, but he’s still like the dark to me.”

Strange phrasing. Amid his coffee brewing, “you’re not going to explain that, are you?”

“Nope,” Sam laughed at him.

Taking his mug, Geo followed Sam back into the living room where they claimed seats. He would let the comment go. It was probably just good enough to know that the two of them were figuring it out.

“So,” Sam asked as he sat down, “you figure it out yet that Jaz wants to date you?”

“Who the hell is this direct ass?” He challenged with a snap.

Though he couldn’t see it in the gloom of the room, he was sure Sam was grinning at his expense.

He sighed as he nodded, “yah, I figured it out.”

“What will you do?”

He paused because it wasn’t such a simple thing to answer. The mug rested upon his knee.

“You’re overthinking,” Sam pointed out.

Annoyed, he nodded, “because it’s Jaz. She shares more with Ty than with anyone else. And if something happens and we don’t work out…”

Sam’s laughter stopped him cold, “shut the hell up.”

“What?”

“Are you jealous of him or afraid of him?” Sam challenged.

“Neither,” he shot back annoyed!

“Then stop acting like it,” was the simple retort that was hard to argue. “Ty supports you both. He won’t stand in your way. And just an FYI, not everyone likes a jealous boyfriend.”

He wasn’t sure if Sam had heard Ty coming down the stairs when he’d said that. But he looked over almost casually as Ty walked up to him.

Ty took the mug out of Sam’s hand, “what are you doing down here?”

Sam looked over as he stood up, “I don’t think Jaz is into possessive.”

“You can’t sleep, you wake me up. I made that clear before.”

Sam sounded amused, “but some of us find it entertaining.”

Ty pulled Sam into his arms, “upstairs naked, now.”

Sam put his arms around Ty’s neck, “so insecure.”

“Good night,” he said to no one because those two were wrapped up in each other. He breathed deeply into his coffee. Probably his favourite scent in the world…next to Jaz.