Why wouldn't he

Ethan and Mia drove to the diner in separate cars, but the whole way there Ethan kept replaying his mom’s text in his head. Heard some interesting things about you and Mia Torres. Come by the diner when you have time. Love you. It wasn’t angry or cold — his mom wasn’t like that — but it still made his stomach twist. Willow Bend was small enough that news traveled fast, and he knew she’d probably heard it from half a dozen people by now. The festival was still going strong in the background, music and laughter carrying on the warm air, but right now all he could think about was this conversation.

Mia pulled into the parking lot first and waited for him by her car. She looked nervous but steady, wearing the same light blue tank top from yesterday and those cutoff shorts that still made it hard for him to think straight. When he walked up she reached for his hand without hesitation.

“You okay?” she asked quietly.

“Yeah,” he said, squeezing her fingers. “Just… been a long time since I had to have one of these talks with her. Last time was after Dad died.”

Mia nodded, understanding in her eyes. “We don’t have to do this today if you’re not ready.”

“I’m ready,” Ethan said, and he meant it. He’d spent too long carrying things alone. “I want her to know. About us. About everything.”

They walked inside together. The diner smelled like coffee, bacon, and fresh pie, the same way it always had. A few regulars glanced up and smiled — some with knowing looks, others just waving like it was any other morning. His mom was behind the counter, wiping it down, and when she looked up and saw them her face softened into a small, tired smile.

“Ethan,” she said, coming around the counter. She pulled him into a hug first, then turned to Mia and hugged her too, holding on a second longer than usual. “Mia. It’s good to see you.”

They grabbed a booth in the back corner, away from the main crowd. His mom brought them coffee without asking and slid in across from them. For a moment nobody spoke. Then she looked at Ethan, really looked at him, the way only a mother could.

“So,” she said gently. “You and Mia.”

Ethan took a breath. “Yeah. Me and Mia. It’s… new. But it’s not new, if that makes sense. We’ve been friends forever, but things changed this summer. I didn’t plan it. It just… happened.”

Mia spoke up, her voice steady even though Ethan could feel her leg bouncing lightly under the table. “I broke up with Derek. It wasn’t working, and I realized I was holding on to something that wasn’t right. Ethan’s always been there. He gets me. And I get him. We’re figuring it out.”

His mom was quiet for a long moment, stirring her coffee even though she hadn’t added anything to it. When she finally spoke, her voice was soft but serious.

“Your father would’ve been happy for you,” she said, looking at Ethan. “He always liked Mia. Said she had good sense and a kind heart. But he’d also tell you to be careful. This town… it talks. And with everything going on with the developer and the festival, people are already on edge. Adding a new relationship into the mix might make things louder than you want.”

Ethan nodded. He’d expected that. “I know. But I’m tired of hiding how I feel. And Mia’s worth it.”

Mia squeezed his hand under the table. His mom noticed but didn’t comment, just gave them both a small smile.

“I’m not saying don’t do it,” she said. “I’m saying be ready for questions. For people asking if this is real or just summer fun. For the fact that Mia’s leaving for art school eventually and you’re… figuring things out here.” She paused, then added more quietly, “Your dad stayed in this town because he loved it. But he also stayed because he loved us. Don’t stay just because you think you have to. And don’t leave just because you’re scared to stay.”

The words landed heavy. Ethan thought about the letters again, about the developer’s offer, about the way the river had always been there. He thought about the shop and how it felt like both a burden and a connection to his dad. He thought about Mia and how, for the first time in a long time, he could picture a future that didn’t feel so heavy.

“I’m trying to figure it out,” he said honestly. “All of it. The shop. The town. Us. The developer’s already sniffing around, trying to get people on their side before the vote. Mia and I… we want to help push back. Make sure people know what they’re risking.”

His mom’s expression shifted, something proud and a little sad crossing her face. “That sounds like something your father would’ve done. He fought for this place. Maybe it’s time you did too.” She reached across the table and covered both their hands with hers. “I’m happy for you two. Really. Just… take care of each other. And don’t let this town decide who you are.”

They talked for a while longer — about the festival, about how the developer had approached them the night before, about small things like how Mia’s grandma was doing and how the shop was holding up. It felt good. Heavy in places, but good. Like something that had been waiting to be said was finally out in the open.

When they left the diner, the sun was higher and the festival grounds were already filling up again for the final day. Mia walked close beside him, her shoulder brushing his.

“That went better than I thought,” she said.

“Yeah,” Ethan agreed. “She’s worried. But she’s on our side.”

They spent the afternoon at the festival, helping where they could and enjoying it when they couldn’t. The developer’s guy was still around, talking to people in quiet corners, but Ethan and Mia made a point of stopping by booths and chatting with locals about why the river mattered — the fishing, the swimming, the way it had always been the heart of the town. A few people signed the petition the festival committee had set up. A few more asked questions. It wasn’t much, but it felt like something.

By late afternoon they slipped away again, this time to Ethan’s truck parked at the far edge of the lot. The windows were already fogging up before they even got the doors closed. Mia climbed into his lap in the driver’s seat, kissing him hard while her hands worked at his belt. Ethan groaned as she freed his cock, stroking him while he pushed her shorts and panties down just enough.

They didn’t have much time or space, but it didn’t matter. She sank down onto him right there in the truck, riding him slow and deep while the festival carried on just out of sight. Ethan’s hands gripped her hips, guiding her, his mouth on her neck and then her breasts as she moved. She came first, biting his shoulder to stay quiet, and he followed right after, holding her tight as he spilled inside her.

Afterward they stayed like that for a minute, breathing hard, foreheads pressed together.

“I don’t want this summer to end,” Mia whispered.

“Me neither,” Ethan said, brushing hair from her face. “But whatever comes next… we figure it out together, yeah?”

She nodded, kissing him softly. “Yeah. Together.”

They cleaned up as best they could and headed back into the festival hand in hand. The music was still playing, the lights were coming on, and the river kept moving in the background like it always had. Ethan felt his mom’s words settling in his chest alongside everything else — the grief, the duty, the want, the fear. It was a lot. But for the first time, it didn’t feel like too much.

Willow Bend was changing. So was he. And for the first time in a long time, he wasn’t facing it alone.