When he said nothing, I babbled more details. My handshake deal with Julian and his subsequent disappearance. The proxy he’d entrusted to Abraham so we could close the deal.
“I hope he makes it. Julian. He deserves a fresh start. Wherever he is,” Izzy said.
“Him and Nigel,” Hunter agreed.
It was a lot to spring on him. The whole hotel business thing. My vision of running the hotel had Hunter in it. This didn’t work without him.
Theo put down the empty wineglass with a glance at Izzy. She nodded and scooted back her chair. I guess they figured we had a lot to talk about.
“So you’re going home soon, yeah?” Theo asked me.
“We could both come back. I mean if Hunter wants to.” I held my breath until Hunter gave me a brief smile.
Goodbyes were said, and I walked them to the car, giving Izzy a hug on the sidewalk.
“Thank you for coming. This meant a lot to Hunter. And me.”
“Nonsense.” She broke away to look up at me. “You are family, Regge. Not just to Theo but to me too.”
Suddenly overcome, I rushed back into her arms.
“Thank you. Thank you for sending me here. For saving my life, but also, for Hunter. For renting your basement apartment to him. So he would have to take me in and take care of me.”
She chuckled. “Silly boy, he didn’thaveto take care of you. He wouldn’t have it any other way. But you’re welcome. Always.” Looking at Theo, she nodded at the car. “Have a word. I have some emails to catch up on.” She left me to walk back to Theo hanging out on the bottom step of the porch.
“She is so awesome,” I said, proud of my modern slang.
“Yeah, she is. I’ll call and set you up with my banker. You’ll need a line of credit for construction. Especially since you won’t take any more money from me.”
“I won’t,” I said stubbornly. “But thank you.”
“Now, you want to tell me what’s up?”
Theo always seemed to know when I was out of sorts. We didn’t always talk when I was, but apparently all the recent changes in my life warranted more of a conversation.
“I’m fine. Physically. But… I don’t know, Theo. It’s all a bit muddled.”
“Is this about you and Hunter?”
“A bit yes. I am quite broken, it seems.”
Theo reached out for me. “You are not broken. Did he say that? I’m going to—”
I laughed. “No. You won’t. Hunter’s great. He didn’t say anything. I did. I am saying it. I am not quite sound. You’ve known this. My bloody past, the things I did. They haunt me. Make me far too careful, far too cautious.”
“You are a good man, Regge.”
“A lot of what I am is down to you. And I thank you for that.” I looked at the dark street, the amber glow of cozy windows and cozy lives. I’d never thought I could be a part of such a thing. “I’ve spent the past few months adjusting but also wallowing. Missing Charlie but kind of not missing him and then feeling guilty.
“The truth is, I’m glad he’s not here. Because if he were here, the impetus would be on going home, getting back to our lives. I loved Charlie. I did. But I’m here now, for good. My life here is good, far more comfortable, safer, more everything. There’s no going back, and I certainly don’t want to. But I want to be better, get better, for Hunter, for everyone. For me.” I breathed in another deep lungful of air.
We both gazed across the yard to the car, where Izzy looked up from her phone and smiled. Theo would understand, right? The need to be worthy of someone’s love. To find someone who wanted only the best for you. Someone you wanted to be the best for.
“How can I help?”
“Did you know that here in this time, there are people who do nothing but listen to your problems for you? It’s a strange concept, but I think maybe I’d like to try it.”
“Therapy? You want to go to therapy.” The older man’s brow furrowed for a moment. “Folk like us can’t be entirely forthcoming with strangers, and this—” He waved a vague hand at himself. “My origins, your origins, folk like Abraham and Arial. That’s—”
