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CONNOR
I breathed a deep sigh of relief as the aeroplane wheels touched down on the runway. I’d only been gone four days, but it felt like a month. All I wanted now was to be at home with the loves of my life.
Law had called late on my first night in Melbourne, to apologise for not being more supportive of my trip. Gabi had joined in the call and the three of us had talked for over an hour. In quiet, intimate tones, we’d all shared our hopes for the future, and our fears of what could go wrong along the way. The honesty of our confessions had eased the strain caused by our argument, and I’d gone to sleep with a relaxed smile on my face. Now I’d returned home, I looked forward to enacting the kissing part of kissing and making up.
It took forever for the seatbelt sign to turn off. The movement of the passengers out of the plane took even longer. Pulling my phone from my bag, I turned it on and checked my messages. I had an email from Trent, updating me on his progress with the agent I’d put him in touch with. It looked like he was well on his way to nailing down a contract, and I’d make damned sure he got a good one. I had every intention of keeping a close eye on Trent, even after he started working, to make sure he didn’t fall into the same traps I’d stumbled into time and time again. Thankfully, he’d welcomed my assistance, as had his concerned parents, whom I’d met several times now.
There were no messages from Gabi or Law, not that I’d expected any. It was the middle of the afternoon and they’d both be working.
I hit Law’s number, half-expecting to be sent straight to his voicemail. A grin curved my lips when he picked up. “Tell me you’re back,” he demanded, his smile clear in the lightness of his tone.
“Just landed,” I told him as I moved slowly up the aisle, my carry-on in one hand. Thankfully, I’d managed to fit everything into the one bag and wouldn’t have to wait for any extra luggage to be unloaded. “How long until you finish work for the day?”
“Longer than I’d like, and Gabi has a late client, so it’ll be a while.” His voice deepened as he added, “Think you can wait that long?”
“I don’t know,” I teased as I made my way up the walkway towards the terminal. “If you guys take too long, I might have to start celebrating my homecoming without you.”
His low chuckle sent shivers tripping down my spine and I bit back a needy groan. “Don’t you dare.”
The sounds of talking and movement on the line grew louder. “Where are you?” I asked. “Sounds busy.”
He hesitated before answering. “Oh, um, I had to stop at the shops for a minute. Shit, I have to go,” he rushed to add. “I’ll see you soon. Love you.” The line went dead and I pulled the phone away from my ear, wondering what had happened to make him end the call so abruptly. Shaking my head at the odd behaviour, I continued on my way.
Missing Gabi and Law had been easier in Melbourne, because I’d been so busy working. These last few hours were going to be the worst. After my sojourn to the life I’d left behind, my tired body ached to have them close, to reground myself in this new life we were building together.
I entered the terminal, barely noticing the crowd of people there to welcome their loved ones. The sign with my name on it, however, was hard to miss.
Welcome home, Connor!
Printed in bright red on a big rectangle of cardboard, the words were surrounded by love hearts. My vision widened to take in the smiling faces of my partners. Gabi wore an enormous grin as she bounced on the balls of her feet. Law managed to be a little more discreet about his enthusiasm, but when those dark eyes of his locked on to me I could imagine all the carnal thoughts going through his head. I couldn’t wait to be consumed by them.
My steps quickened until I threw myself between them, pure joy flooding my system as I wrapped an arm around each of their waists. Dropping the sign, they hugged me tight between them, surrounding me with love and laughter.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” I said with a laugh.
“We couldn’t let you come home without a proper welcome,” Gabi gushed, peppering my cheeks with kisses. “We missed you too much.”
My face hurt from smiling so widely, even as I raised my eyebrows at Law. “You hung up on me.”
“There was too much noise,” he told me, “and someone started talking over the PA system. I didn’t want you to figure out we were here. It would have spoiled the surprise.”
“Are you kidding?” I cried, my heart damned near bursting through my rib cage it beat so hard. “Nothing could have spoiled this.” Because this right here, was exactly what I needed. Hugs and kisses. Gabi and Law. The two halves of my heart.
We managed to exchange the pleasantries of how we were and what we’d been doing during the car ride home. I was thankful Law wasn’t pulled over for speeding. I didn’t want anything to slow us down.
All pretence of manners fell away the moment we arrived home. The only words to pass our lips were of devotion and need. I missed you. I love you. You feel so good. Do that again. When I finally had to remind Law I’d still need those testicles attached my body, so he would relinquish his grip on them, there was laughter and declarations of ownership, which only led to more low moans and quiet sighs.
When I heard Gabi and Law whispering to each other the same words of love they’d gifted to me, it felt like something clicked into place between us, fusing us together. Making us whole.
“So you know,” Law murmured a few hours later, as the three of us lay tangled together, “even if you do travel most of the year, you’ll never be alone for long. No one will ever consider our relationship long distance, because we’ll visit you constantly.”
Gabi grinned up at me from where she rested her head on my stomach, her chin on her folded hands. “That’s what frequent flyer points are for, right?”
“Exactly,” Law agreed. “I’ve got enough trainers working for me I can reduce the number of personal clients I have and stick more to the business side of things. I can do that anywhere.”
“But you love training your own clients,” I said, amazed he would even consider reducing his hours for me.
