Red, White & Blue (Uncorked Book 6)

by Shea Balik

  Could it be possible? Was Lowen really interested in him? Blue didn’t date a lot. At least, not anymore. He used to go out quite frequently, even had two relationships that lasted for over a year. The last one had ended three years ago, and Blue just hadn’t seen the point in continuing to try.

  When Lowen made his way back to his side to pour the fruity wine, he said, “Make sure you take the time to savor the aroma of the wine,” he told the room as he stared right at Blue. “You should be able to pick up some notes of cherry and vanilla.”

  His hand brushed along Blue’s when he moved to pour some for his mom. A shiver of electricity raced along his arm, causing the hairs to stand up. He nearly dropped his glass, but managed to hold onto it.

  Cinnamon-colored eyes turned back to him as Lowen called out, “Now when you take your first sip, let it coat your tongue before swallowing. You should be able to taste the oakiness of the barrel along with the fruit of the cherries that are mixed with the grapes.”

  This time goosebumps rose across his arms as Lowen talked about coating his tongue and swallowing. He wasn’t sure if Lowen had said it that way on purpose, or Blue’s mind was so turned on that all he could imagine was kneeling before the man as he sucked on his cock, while Lowen told him to savor his flavor before swallowing.

  Either way, he was turned on. It had been too damned long since he’d had a date. Ever since Brian had broken up with him, Blue had sworn off men for a time. When he started dating again, he just hadn’t been excited by anyone.

  Lowen walked away as he continued to fill more glasses while answering questions and providing more information about the process in which The Twisted Vine decided whether or not to add flavors to their wines or leave it to the grapes to do the talking.

  “In the beginning, they relied on the grapes to give them the name they’ve now earned in the wine business. While they still do for the most part, The Twisted Vine has also decided to branch out to provide some fantastic blends.” Lowen picked up a different red when he got back to the stand that had eight wines for this tasting on display.

  “With the way that boy is eyeing you like his favorite treat, you better accept when he asks you out,” his mother said. “A guy like that isn’t going to stay single for long.”

  There was something in her tone that instantly put Blue on edge. He couldn’t quite pinpoint it, but somehow, he just knew she was about to put him down – again.

  “Maybe if you date him, some of his style might rub off on you.” Yep. There it was. “Between his colorful hair and tattoos, I’d be willing to bet, he’d wear that outfit I picked out for you.”

  Blue had already been staring at Lowen, but his mother’s statement made him take a closer look. Blue usually took pains to not only be as unobtrusive as possible, but he tended to date men that were, too. Yet, there he was, dick hard, heart beating rapidly, as butterflies fluttered wildly in his stomach at the thought of a date with a man completely the opposite of normal.

  If his mother hadn’t of pointed it out, Blue probably wouldn’t have really noticed the things that made Lowen stand out. Well, he did see all those things, but he hadn’t paid attention. With his body’s response to Lowen, none of that had mattered – until now.

  He really wished his mother hadn’t said anything. Now, Blue wasn’t sure he would answer Lowen’s call, much less accept a date. It was more than a little biased of him, but Blue had had enough of outlandish from his mother and grandparents to last a lifetime.

  It wasn’t until Lowen came around with the new wine that Blue had even been aware that he was frowning. “If you don’t like it, you can always toss it into one of the buckets,” Lowen told him softly. “But I think if you try it, you might enjoy it.”

  Again, Blue’s mind went not to the wine, but to Lowen and sex. Somehow his body already knew he would more than enjoy sex with this man. The bigger question was, would he be okay being the center of attention because of Lowen’s personality?

  Before meeting the man, that answer would have been a resounding, ‘NO.’ No question. He understood his prejudices tended to make him a snob, but he couldn’t help it. His whole life, his mother had made them into what amounted to a circus act.

  People stared wherever they went, whether it was because of the way they were dressed, which in his younger days, often gave him hives with all the odd patterns with way too bright colors, similar to this shirt he was currently being forced to wear. Or, because of the lavish weddings his mother insisted on having despite how many times she’d been married. Or, and this was the worst for Blue, because everywhere they went his mother had to somehow put into the conversation that Blue was gay to anyone she was talking to.

  He wasn’t ashamed of being gay, but that didn’t mean he wanted it blasted from a bullhorn, which, yes, she’d done at a county fair one year. His first date, Ronnie Adams, had been so embarrassed when she’d hired a camera crew to follow them around for the auspicious event, he’d ended it the moment the school dance was over and never spoke to Blue again, even though they had four classes together.

  Blue couldn’t exactly blame him, and did his best to keep his distance. Not that it had helped. The two of them had been teased for the rest of the year, even declared Gay Couple of the Year in the school year book. Yeah, that hadn’t existed until that year, so that was fun.

  That was the last time he let his mother meet any of his dates. Or even know he was going on a date, for that matter. The only men she’d ever met, were his two relationships, which she ruined with her meddling.

  Lowen was on his way with the third sample of red wine. He frowned at Blue’s glass, reminding Blue he hadn’t drank it. Quickly he downed it to let Lowen fill it again. “I hope you like this one better,” he whispered. Then, in a louder voice, he said to the group, “You will notice this one is dryer and has a more full-bodied flavor.”

  After filling his mother’s glass, Lowen turned back to Blue. “So, now that I have your number, would you like to go out with me tomorrow evening?”

  Despite his concerns, it was on the tip of his tongue to say yes, but he’d already had to change his knitting class once this week. He couldn’t change it again. “Actually, I have to work.”

  Lowen’s smile fell just enough for Blue to see his disappointment. “I teach a knitting class at my yarn shop.”

  “You own The Cozy Knit?” Lowen asked excitedly.

  “Oh, please tell me you didn’t just admit to a potential date you own that ridiculous yarn store,” his mother wailed loudly enough to have several people titter who were close by.

  But Lowen didn’t seem to care. “I’ve been dying to go into that place. I’ve always wanted to learn to knit, but…” Lowen looked down sheepishly. “I’m a little intimidated. The videos I’ve seen online make it look so easy, but when I tried to follow them, I got so confused I ended up with yarn wrapped around my body as well as the chair I was in.”

  He let out a chuckle, which Blue had to admit was endearing. “I was stuck for like fifteen minutes as I tried to figure out how to unwind the yarn. In the end I had to use scissors.”

  Blue laughed with Lowen. “Yeah, there are a few in my class who had similar experiences. You could join us. I’d be happy to show you what you need to know.”

  Lowen grinned, even leaning in as if he were about to kiss Blue. He stopped just short of that and said, “It’s a date. Text me the time and I’ll be there. Then I’ll take you to dinner afterward.”

  “Blue Moon,” his mother said sternly. “Don’t you dare teach that man to knit. He’ll never want you after that.”

  If he any trepidations about texting Lowen, he didn’t any longer. For he knew, going against his mother would do the one thing he wanted most at the moment. “Of course, I’m inviting him,” Blue told her, doing his absolute best to not appear smug. “It would be rude if I didn’t.”

  Without another word, his mother turned on her heel and stormed away, leaving him blessedly alone.

 
; CHAPTER 4

  When Lowen hadn’t received a text after the wine tasting, he’d feared Blue had blown him off. He considered sending the man a reminder text, but he’d decided against it. The ball was technically in Blue’s court and Lowen didn’t want to appear too pushy.

  Usually, that wasn’t a problem for him. He didn’t believe in games or waiting a certain amount of time before calling. It was one of his pet peeves. If people didn’t call him back, Lowen always found someone else to take their place.

  Yet, when it came to Blue, it really bugged him that he hadn’t texted. On the other hand, Lowen couldn’t really expect Blue to have done it during the engagement party. After the wine tasting there had been a dinner, which Lowen had done his best to warn the restaurant twice as many people had showed up for the event, but it hadn’t done much good.

  The Twisted Vine was a popular place, including their restaurants. Fitting in an extra fifty people just hadn’t been possible. Thankfully, that hadn’t been Lowen’s problem.

  Figuring it was best to work some of his excess energy off while he waited to see if Blue would get in touch with him, Lowen put on running shorts, a tank top, and his favorite pair of running shoes. Then he grabbed his phone and plugged in his headphones.

  Locking the door, he put his earbuds in and lost himself in the rhythm of the music as he ran through the university campus. It was one of the best places to run on a Sunday. No kids were around for the most part, so the sidewalks and roads were empty, allowing him to just enjoy.

  He’d been rounding the sports complex when he heard the familiar ding of an incoming message through his earbuds. A part of him considered waiting until he was done, but since he wasn’t even halfway through his usual route, Lowen knew he wouldn’t make it that long to find out if it was Blue or not.

  Stopping, he did his best to jog in place as he turned his phone to see the screen. Blue Moon showed up on the screen next to the message icon. Excitement thrummed through him even as he chuckled at the name. Blue was odd enough, but that his mother would choose it with the last name of moon was kind of mean.

  Lowen could imagine Blue got a lot of teasing growing up. Hell, probably still did whenever he gave his name. Lowen wasn’t exactly a typical name, but at least he hadn’t had to endure the jokes at his expense.

  Opening the messaging app, he read Blue’s message. Knitting class starts at three. If you’d like, you could come a little early to pick out some yarn. Hope to see you there! :)

  Lowen smiled at both the smiley face as well as the suggestion that he come early. He glanced at the time on his phone. Was ten in the morning too early?

  Shaking his head, Lowen knew it was, but he couldn’t help but be excited to see Blue again.

  Can’t wait.

  He typed out. His thumbs hovered over the screen deciding what else to say. “Fuck it,” he muttered.

  How early is too early? Are you open now?

  Refusing to think about it, Lowen hit send. His whole body was practically vibrating with nerves when he saw those three dots indicating Blue was writing him back.

  When the words appeared, Lowen had to actually blow out a calm breath before he could focus on the letters.

  I open at twelve on Sundays.

  Lowen knew he was grinning like an idiot, but he didn’t give a shit. Blue didn’t tell him not to come that early. In fact, as far as Lowen was concerned, Blue was inviting him for twelve.

  See you then.

  He shot back before starting his music again. He had two hours to finish his run, shower, and get dressed. Even though he knew it wouldn’t take that long, he found himself running even faster at the thought of getting to see Blue again.

  ***

  Thirty minutes early, Lowen was sitting on a park bench with a cup of coffee in the park at the center of town. In all his life, Lowen couldn’t ever remembering showing up this early for a date.

  He tried to never be late, but he’d parked behind Sugar Daddy’s to get his coffee twenty minutes ago. Close to an hour early might be considered bordering on creepy, but Lowen couldn’t help himself.

  There had been something about Blue from the moment he’d laid eyes on him. The few short interactions, as well as the two touches he’d managed to get while pouring the wine, only added to his attraction. If he didn’t know better, Lowen would think he’d done the impossible and fallen in love at first sight.

  Except, it was impossible. Or at least, he thought it was. Love was something a person felt after getting to know someone, not when two people just met. No. That was lust, which Lowen was totally onboard with, but that didn’t make it love.

  Right?

  What he couldn’t quite explain was why he was sitting on a park bench across the street from The Cozy Knit waiting, impatiently, for Blue to arrive. It wasn’t something he’d ever done, not even for any of his boyfriends. Certainly not for someone he’d only just met.

  There was no explanation. No reason. No way he could deal with the emotions that were currently running through him as he anxiously waited for a glimpse of those pretty blue eyes and tight butt that he’d gotten a glimpse of when Blue had been leaving.

  This was more than lust, but love? No matter how Lowen looked at it, he couldn’t justify even the thought. But what did that leave him with? Unsure, he continued to drink his coffee and wait, hoping Blue would arrive early so he wouldn’t have to keep wondering why the need to be near a man he didn’t know dominated his every thought.

  Lowen wasn’t typically a fanciful person. He had his fair share of one-night stands, dates, and even a few boyfriends. Yet, there wasn’t one of them that he could name that caused the same… craving he had to be with Blue.

  What if love at first sight did exist? Had he been denying it all this time because he hadn’t met Blue until now? Or was it the fact that he’d been feeling a bit more… well… lonely? A disconnect from the family he hadn’t realized until recently that he missed?

  It hurt, far more than he’d ever imagined, that his parents would just leave him so easily. Maybe if it had been a move to another state, it wouldn’t have been so bad. But to move to Africa of all places? It had been four years since they’d finally left after selling all their worldly possessions, yet it had only been in the past year that Lowen had truly felt… alone.

  No family. No real friends that he could count on since he hadn’t grown up in Dahlonia. His roommate from his freshman year had pretty much disappeared from his life when he’d found out Lowen no longer would be attending full-time, or able to live in the dorms.

  His only friends were acquaintances at best. Not even his three roommates could be called friends. Then again, he hardly ever saw them as he was working so much and they were partying all the time.

  Kadyn from Sugar Daddy’s, Tucker from Three Brother’s Fudge and, oddly enough, David from Tropical Beach. That one he still hadn’t quite understood since Lowen hadn’t ever been in the place.

  About six months ago, when he was in Sugar Daddy’s getting his daily fix of coffee as well as one of Kadyn’s infamous seasonal donuts, David had also been there. Apparently, the two men were really good friends and David took it upon himself to befriend Lowen.

  It was how Lowen not only found out about the opening at The Twisted Vine, as David’s husband was one of the four owners, but it gave him an in to get the job.

  Maybe his loneliness was why he was so fixated on Blue. Even as he thought it, Lowen instantly dismissed it. There was just something about Blue that hooked him. He could try to figure out why, but Lowen would rather spend his time trying to get to know the man who had captured his attention so completely.

  “Lowen.”

  Lowen glanced up to find David rushing across the street to the park to join him with his own cup of coffee from Sugar Daddy’s as well as a bag from the same place. When he got to the sidewalk edging the park, he held up the bag. “I bought some of Kadyn’s red, white, and blue balls.”

  Lowen couldn’t help it
as the coffee he just sipped came out his nose as he started to laugh.

  “Okay, so they’re donut holes, but Kadyn insisted since the last flavor was blueberry, to call them balls.” David was laughing right with him as he sat down next to him and opened up the bag.

  Sure enough there were red, white, and blue donut holes. He’d sort of seen them when he was in there, but already full from his protein shake, and too damn nervous to try and eat any actual food, Lowen hadn’t paid them much attention.

  “The red is made from Shine’s raspberry moonshine as well as a bit of raspberry filling,” David told him. “The white is vanilla with a white chocolate filling.” David smirked. “No moonshine in those.” Then he pulled out the blue donut holes. “But these babies are not only made with Shine’s blueberry moonshine, Kadyn actually mixed blueberry filling that is soaked in the blueberry moonshine, as well as Shine’s summertime moonshine.”

  David licked his lips as he popped an entire one into his mouth. “Uhmmmm-hmmmmm-uhmmm-hmmm-uhmm, that is delicious,” he said as he chewed and swallowed. Then he pushed the bag toward to Lowen. “Want one?”

  As tempting as they sounded, they were coated in either glaze or powder and Lowen didn’t think it would be a good idea to have his hands all sticky when he was about to enter a yarn store. The last thing he needed was for bits of yarn to adhere to his skin as he attempted knitting.

  Plus, he was fairly sure if he even attempted to eat, he’d only end up throwing up. His nerves were on high alert, causing knots the size of basketballs to form in his stomach.

  “No thanks,” he told David. “I’m actually waiting to meet Blue.”

  David grinned, which looked a little goofy since his lips were still coated in some of the blue filling from the donut hole. “Blue, huh? You two dating?”

  Lowen didn’t even bother to hide his own smile at the thought of dating Blue. “I’m hoping it will end that way. I’m joining one of his classes so he can teach me to knit.”