Down on the Farm (mxm)

Seven

Jeremy

I ran a hand through my sweaty hair while walking back into the house. After grabbing some water I walked up the stairs but stopped when I heard Wyatt's voice coming from Levi's room. Normally I wouldn't eavesdrop but their conversation made me stop in the hallway.

"I still don't get why you don't want me to come," Levi's voice was saying.

"Don't worry Levi, you'll be fine here. But I can't put off going to New York any longer, especially for this."

Since I felt wrong for listening, I quickly wandered into my room before taking a long and hot shower. Once out I walked out into the hallway and almost ran into Wyatt. "Oh hey," he said with a smile. "I was looking for you."

I forced my stomach to stop getting butterflies while looking up at him. I knew most people didn't have a problem getting close to someone else, but I did. For the most part I didn't feel like I deserved the attention, all because of someone from the past. It's crazy how people can mess you up and make you feel like you aren't worthy of anyone.

And honestly, Wyatt could be a model. What would someone like him want to stay in Iowa for? New York would have more opportunities for him anyway, and better guys there. But every now and then he would look at me a certain way and I'd wonder what he would possibly want with someone like me. He could have anyone he wanted, why was I so special? Because I never felt that way.

"What's up?"

"I actually need to go to New York this weekend, to clear up some business ties. Would you be interested in taking a little trip?"

"You want me to go with you?"

He nodded while shoving his hands into his pockets. "Have you ever been to New York? I thought it might be a fun road trip for you if you've never been."

"I've never been no, but would I just be in the way? I don't want to be a bother if you're going for business reasons."

Wyatt simply gave me a look before saying, "You'd never be a bother Jeremy."

The soft way he said that made my stomach twist up in knots as I stared at his face. I honestly had no idea why he had been so nice to me since he came to the farm. I was nothing special but being around him was starting to make me feel like I was, like I was worthy of the attention. And maybe just a weekend wouldn't be so bad; it would be a little scary traveling without Porter though. We'd been together literally our whole lives, never been separated. That was one of the reasons why I felt so comfortable here, because I was safe. And having someone else who made me feel safe would be so strange. Hopefully if I were to allow myself to fall for him, he wouldn't just end up leaving in the end.

Without giving it another thought I swallowed my fear and said, "Okay."

He immediately smiled before saying, "Great! I may know some good tourist spots too."

I laughed before starting to think about walking around New York with him. Grabbing some food and taking in the sights... I had to stop daydreaming before I lost my mind. "I'm just ah... going to go and uh... tell Porter."

Before he could respond I ran away before I could get sucked into his eyes and smile. Why the hell did I say yes to going across the country with him? I barely know him. Not that I thought he would just take me there to murder me but still, I didn't know him at all. He didn't even know that I had basically no experience in the dating world or... god. He probably wasn't even thinking about dating me yet here I was overthinking literally everything. Hopefully he wouldn't regret taking me.

Since I was still overthinking as I ran into the barn, I almost lost my footing while rounding the corner. Luckily my body slid into a hay bale instead and I didn't go slamming into the concrete. When I looked up I realized Porter was staring at me with one eyebrow raised, a bag of grain hoisted up onto his shoulder.

"Where's the fire?" His deep lazy voice asked as he walked towards the grain room.

"So uhm," I said while twisting my fingers together. "I'm going to New York with Wyatt. This weekend."

His eyebrows rose as he glanced over at me. "Are you coming back?"

"Well yeah, of course. Why wouldn't I?"

He shrugged before saying, "The way you're freaking out you're acting like you guys are going to get hitched and move there."

"Wh... hitched? You're nuts Port."

"Yeah, and so are you Jer. It sounds like you guys are going on a trip, why are you freaking out so much?"

When he left the room I quickly followed him like a lost puppy. "Maybe because I hardly know the man."

Porter gave me a look as he picked up a bag of grain and started to walk away again. "Okay so if you're that nervous about going, don't."

"Well I mean, I kind of want to go."

He laughed as he put the bag down and gave me a hard look. "Then what's the problem? Why are you acting so crazy?"

My fingers started ringing together as I said, "We've never been apart."

His face softened as he leaned against the wall. "Is that what this is about? I swear Jeremy you overthink more than anyone I know."

"Thanks for the boost of confidence."

"It's not like you're not coming back because I wouldn't be okay with that. I do want you to go and experience things outside of the ranch. I think it'll be good for you."

I rolled my eyes while sitting down onto a hay bale. "You're making it seem like I'm a five year old. And what about you, you don't want to go experience things?"

His eyes glanced over towards where the house was before shrugging. "I've had plenty of experiences and let's be honest, I've had more than you. I want you to go live and Wyatt is a good guy to go with, he'll know his way around New York. I'm perfectly content staying here." When I stayed silent he asked, "What else is making you nervous?"

"It's just... he's making me scared. I've been feeling myself almost start to fall for him."

"It's okay to open yourself back up to someone, especially someone who obviously likes you. Just don't let yourself overthink like you always do and have a good time. Eat a lot of good food for me okay?"

That made me laugh and finally relax my fingers. "You know I will. You don't think he would... try anything on me do you?"

His face got serious again as he said, "If he does I'll kick his ass. If he tries anything that you don't want I'll come pick you up myself."

That made me get up and wrap my arms around him, his strong arms wrapping around me too. "Sorry I always overreact and freak out."

His chest shook with laughter as he said, "It's just one of the things I love about you. It'll be okay Jeremy; it's going to be a fun weekend." He then pulled back before saying, "But help me with chores first."

"Fine, fine."

With that he shoved the grain bag into my arms as we walked into the barn. I couldn't stop my mind from running, thinking of all the different scenarios the weekend might hold. There's definitely nothing scary about going across the country with someone my heart desperately wanted... psh. Not at all.