Chapter 31
Rafe
“Eamonn, do you have yourpassport?”
“Yes.” Eamonn patted the front pocket of hisbackpack.
“Why is it loose in your backpack?” Rafe rubbed his forehead as Eamonn cocked his head at him. “Your passport is the most important document you have in yourpossession…”
Eamonn silenced him with a kiss for the whole Pittsburgh Airport to see. Rafe realized the familiarity of this conversation. Even though his parents could be annoying, they did have a point. Pickpockets probably had a field day with studenttravelers.
“Do you have a window, aisle, or middleseat?”
Eamonn shrugged his shoulders. “I got the last seat on the flight. I’m probably sitting on the drinkcart.”
“Will they let you drink on international flights since you’re under twenty-one?” It was one of many complicated questions Rafe looked forward solving with his internationalromance.
“My mum told me not to get drunk on the plane. She didn’t want to see a news story about me being dragged through Heathrow inhandcuffs.”
“How is she about all this?” Rafe asked. He thought about Eamonn’s family more than he should. And that photo of little Eamonn dressed up as HarryStyles.
“She’s all right. She’s going to miss me in the states, but she’s glad that I’ll be here with you. She trusts you to make sure I don’t cock up. My sisters want me to get Jennifer Lawrence’s autograph. Becausethatwon’t be a problem.” Eamonn glanced at Rafe sheepishly. “So, when do I get to meet yourparents?”
“Are younervous?”
“They sound somewhatintense.”
“Nah. You can handle ‘em.” Rafe’s parents always called him just after midnight to wish him a good new year. This time, he didn’t pick up since he was in the middle of getting his brains fucked out. Thank goodness nobody came outside! When he finally called them back, flush with afterglow and a full heart, he told them all about his night—minus the sex part—and the plan he and Eamonn drafted. They talked about the challenges that would come with this relationship, ones Rafe admitted up front. But they didn’t tell him what to do. That was allRafe.
“You’ll meet them this summer,” Rafesaid.
They hung around just before the security checkpoint. Rafe kept looking at the departure board, hoping that Eamonn’s flight would be delayed and they would have just a little more time. He tried to stretch out the minutes and seconds as far as they wouldgo.
Eamonn seemed to sense this. “This isn’t the last time we’ll be together. No bloodyway.”
“When are we seeing each other next?” Rafe asked. “I was thinking I could fly to Europe for spring break. I was in England for almost four months, and I never traveled. There are so many countries I want tosee.”
“Spring break, dude,” Eamonn said in his Americanaccent.
A pair of actual California dudes, complete with flowing blond hair and wearing flip flops despite it being January 2ndin the Northeast, walkedby.
“Can’t wait for spring break, dude!” One of them said toEamonn.
“Totally!” said theother.
“It’s gonna be so rad,” Eamonn said. It shocked Rafe how spot-on his accent reallywas.
They each hi-fived Eamonn and entered the securityline.
“I reckon I’m going to like thiscountry.”
Even though Eamonn had smiled at Rafe countless times, it still made him swoon. Those sparkling blue eyes, his bed head and scruff. But mostly it was the heart underneath, the heart that cared so much for people heloved.
They spent the next ten minutes chatting about nothing important, but using that time just to be with eachother.
And then it was time togo.
Eamonn hoisted his backpack over his shoulder, but dropped it right after to hold and kiss Rafe one moretime.
