“Look, I’ve gotta go, Cory. I was in the middle of making lunch when you called. We’ll talk more about the wedding soon, okay? Love you. Bye.”
Graham ended the call and ripped out his earbuds, slumping against the counter across from Thad. “Fuck!”
Thad winced. “I’m sorry. I heard you talking but I had no idea it was a video call.”
“No.” Graham waved it off. “I’m not mad at you. I was talking to my sister, and I had the earbuds in, so I didn’t hear you get up. It’s my fault.”
“I guess we’ll have to be more careful in the future,” Thad said, hoping this hadn’t spooked Graham so much he freaked out and ended their relationship.
“Yeah.”
Well, that wasn’t exactly promising sounding.
Graham tipped his head back and closed his eyes for a moment.
Thad smiled at the faint cleft in Graham’s jaw that became more apparent from this angle. He really was gorgeous. And kind.
But God, Thad was gripped with an overwhelming fear hewouldchange his mind. He’d realize all of this was too much for him to deal with. He’d want to go back to the way things had been before.
When his life had been easy.
“I feelawful,” Graham whispered.
“Yeah? At having to lie to your family?” Thad swallowed thickly. That was it then. Graham was an honest person. He would hate having to be dishonest like this.
“What?” Graham lowered his chin and gave him a puzzled look. “No. At having to deny what we are. I hate you had to hear me call you mybuddy. Like you aren’t the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time.”
“Graham,” Thad croaked, overcome by his words.
“I’m sorry, okay?” Graham looked miserable. “I didn’t know what else to do. We agreed we were going to keep this under wraps, and I couldn’t tell my sister, so I didn’t know how else to explain why I had a mostly naked man wandering around my apartment at this hour of the day.”
“It’s not that early,” Thad pointed out because that was easier than telling him why he felt overwhelmed by Graham’s words.
“It’s …” He glanced at the clock. “Okay, it is pretty late. I guess it took longer at HCI than I expected. Looks like you got some sleep though.”
“Yeah, I guess I crashed after you left.” Thad rubbed a hand over his face.
“Good. But I mean it,” Graham said. “I’m sorry. I panicked and?—”
“No.” Thad stepped forward, crowding into Graham’s space and settling his hands on either side of his hips. He had on sweats and no shirt and, God, it was a good look on him. “Hey. You did what you had to do. I’m not upset.”
Sure, it had stung a little at first to be called hisbuddy. But Thad understood it. Graham had done what he had to. Thad would never blame him.
And shit. He’d been a mess too lately. They were both figuring this relationship out.
“You sure?” Graham looped his arms around Thad’s neck, looking him in the eye.
“Yeah, I’m sure.” Thad pulled him closer.
For a moment, they stood there, holding each other before Graham sighed, gently pushing him away. “You want breakfast?”
“I think it’s at least brunch time,” Thad pointed out drily. “But sure. Let’s do this together.”
After they’d eaten and cleaned up a little, Graham sidled closer to Thad. “You wanna do something?”
Thad lifted an eyebrow. “Like go on a date like we talked about?”
“I meant heading back into the bedroom,” Graham said, sliding his hand down Thad’s chest.
