I yawned, peaking at him as he stepped up on a chair to reach a corner with the extended duster thing that he found tucked under the sink. I shook my head, glad he was in good spirits.
I wasn’t sure how to nudge him towards Beckett. But it needed to happen. I had to put the lines back in place. And trying to figure out why Noah was near tears before bed last night was not something I wanted to think about. I hoped that it was just a little being needy after getting what he sought.
That, I could handle. Anything more than just that, I wasn’t so sure about.
It didn’t take nearly long enough to put the sheets back on the bed, the pillows fluffed and the room smelling cleaner. Not that it smelt bad to begin with, but I tried to wash the sheets every other week. I liked a clean bed and a place to live.
Not having many things helped. I was just a simple man with simple needs. I had a roof, food, and a bed. A tablet, laptop, and TV. Streaming apps. Other things that collected dust weren’t needed. They never held any appeal. Except for that wind chime that hung in a corner.
That rose and the butterfly was light and small, and I adored it more than I should. The first thing that I had ever gotten as a gift that wasn’t from my family.
Dakota had seen it and thought I might like it years ago. He had a matching one, but he was more intrigued by how it made noise when the bars were hit against each other rather than how it looked.
I didn’t have the heart to tell him I wasn’t a huge fan of butterflies. I never would.
Speaking of which, I heard it sound as Noah no doubt hit it with the duster. I smiled before letting it slip away.
“Asher?” Noah found me putting some of the clothes away. Although, my laundry pile wasn’t as big as it normally was, thanks to him doing a load every few days.
I turned to face him, putting my back towards the dresser.
“Beckett texted....wanted to know if I wanted to meet up for lunch?”
“You don’t have to ask me for permission.” Surely he knew that. “You’re welcome to go. He seems to like you.”
“He is nice.” So he’d said....”But...it feels wrong.”
“Why’s that?” I tilted my head to the side and wrapped my arms around my torso lightly. “Beckett obviously cares about you.”
“I don’t know. It’s....hard to explain.” He took a deep breath. As his phone buzzed, he looked at it before speaking again. “He’ll pick me up here. Well, downstairs, but that’s okay. Right? He can know where you live, right?”
“That’s fine, sweetheart.” I kept my voice low. “How about you get dressed? It probably won’t take him long to get here.”
Noah smiled at whatever he saw on the phone before nodding. “Like in fifteen minutes.”
“Then get some clothes on,” I repeated.
Noah nodded again before almost dropping his phone and stumbling over his feet. I held in my laugh with a shake of my head.
I did enjoy seeing him a bit frazzled. Or maybe it was dazed. Whatever. I liked seeing him happy. Something I could never be able to give him.
It took Noah three different outfits before he picked one. Comfy jeans and a shirt. Simple, and cute. And all him. Well, except that the shirt was mine.
“He’s here. I gotta go pee!”
I couldn’t help but bark out a laugh as Noah dashed off towards the bathroom. Surely he was only nervous. But the door shut with a click before I could even think to question him on anything.
Not a minute later, there was a knock on the door, and my little bit of happiness disappeared.
After wiping my suddenly sweaty palms on my own shorts, I made sure my shirt wasn’t a mess. There wasn’t much I could do about it now if there happened to be food stains or something on it. And my hair was a lost cause.
He’s not here for me, you idiot, I reminded myself as I answered the door. I didn’t need to look appealing to the man anyhow.
“Hello, Asher.” Beckett’s voice was low and warm like what I’d imagine whiskey was like.
“Hi.” My voice gave out, but I stepped to the side, hoping he’d get the message that he could enter. Even though I wasn’t sure having this man in my space like this was smart for me.
“Noah’s....he’ll be out in a second.” It was easier to talk when I didn’t look at him. Easier to ignore that pull towards a man that I couldn’t have. His eyes saw too much.
