He and Nash were in trouble, Neil just knew it. There was no two ways about it, nope. None. Trouble was going to be apart of their future for a very long time.

His and Nash’s dads stood with their hands on their hips, one chewing on some grass and the other some gum. The downed fence with their combined herds of cattle were peppered over their neighbors land eating his entire pasture. A barn both families used for storage was ablaze some yards away. They were dead. So dead…

“What the hell were you two doing?” His dad demanded.

Nash’s dad shifted his weight looking pissed. “You two!” He was so mad he couldn’t even talk.

“Well,” his dad huffed, “we know they weren’t having sex cause the damn barn is on fire and the cows are gone!” They were some lucky teenagers since their families knew about their preferences and still embraced and loved them. The sucky part was they couldn’t get any alone time together unless they snuck out, like they did earlier.

He chanced a glance at Nash and caught his boyfriends eye. Despite being in trouble there was humor in Nash’s gaze. They’d spend the summer rebuilding the barn and the next few days rustling up the cattle but they’d be together.

Nash reached out and took his hand, intertwining their fingers. ‘I love you.’ He mouthed and winked. Neil smiled and squeezed Nash’s hand. They grew up together and Neil knew they’d grow old together. If they survived the next few days and their dads didn’t kill them first.