Rafael Patino has a great life in Rain Valley. He’s a teacher at the high school, has a great group of friends, and enjoys the occasional baseball game. Other than the sporadic call from his drunken mother, he’s pretty content. He’s also been in love with his best friend Dustin for nearly a decade. Years of keeping those feelings under control are put to the test when they begin a summer project together. Dustin Vance builds furniture for a living, has just earned his pilot’s license, and has an amazing best friend. When he buys a 1976 Cessna Skyhawk, he asks Rafael to help restore it, then travel with him to Wisconsin for the largest aviation convention in the world. As they spend their days working on the plane, they begin to spend their nights together. Will they find love in the clouds, or will they stall out before they even take off?

Love in the Clouds

God, it felt good to have Dustin by his side.


Spying movement out of the side of his eyes, Rafael saw a cute blond sweeping up glass with a broom. He glanced at Dustin, who nodded, indicating he’d keep an eye on Rafael’s mom.


Rafael strode over and offered his hand. “Are you the one that called me?”


“Yeah. I’m sorry about that. But I also grew up with a mom like that and I know how bad it gets when they’re arrested. The…guilt.”


He gestured to the glass. “Did she do this?”


“She grabbed a couple of people’s beers and threw them to the ground.”


Un-fucking-believable. “I’m really sorry.” He pulled out his wallet and paid for the beers. “Thank you for calling. Really.”


“I’ve got her purse and phone behind the bar. Hang on a second.”


Rafael turned to find Dustin talking with his mom, but she seemed confused.


Chapter 42