Bo waved her off. “Anyway, I’d better go. I need to grab some groceries on the way home. You guys have fun.”
“Oh, we will. See ya, Bo.”
Anne’s comments got him thinking on his way to the bus. Ithadbeen a fun week, he and Ravi shopping and cooking together, then chatting long into the night after polishing off whatever they’d made for dinner. He’d enjoyed how comfortable he felt living under the same roof as Rav and Harvey, given how unsure he’d been when Parker had suggested the new living arrangement. He’d tried to steer Parker away from asking Harvey, but Parker had insisted they were all friends and friends helped each other out. But it seemed he’d been wrong to worry. He and Rav were getting along like a house on fire—their pact to remain friends working.
Before he knew it, he was on the bus and nearly home.Home. It felt like home, and he had to remind himself it was Harvey and Rav’s home, not his. He was a temporary visitor. Anyway, he wasn’t sure how much like home it would feel tonight because Harvey was due back from Newcastle. How would Harvey really feel now they were all living under the same roof?
After a quick stop by the grocer, Bo, loaded with shopping bags, arrived back at the apartment. He opened the front door and saw a large suitcase standing near the front door, causing a sudden flutter in his stomach.Harvey’s here.
He took a deep breath as nerves took hold. The last thing he wanted to do was fuck up his friendship with either of them. He and Rav had proved they could get along, but the dynamics with Harvey was still an unknown, so regrets rose to the surface.Oh well, no going back now.
He followed the sound of conversation to the kitchen where Rav and Harvey sat close together at the table. They pulled apart at his greeting, but both smiled his way.
“Hey, Bo.”
“Welcome, home. How was the trip?” he asked as he hefted the bags onto the counter. “I saw the fundraiser raised a shit ton of money.”
“It was busy. A few gigs, then the fundraising concert, and a couple of interviews thrown in for good measure. It’s good to be home,” Harvey said.
“I bet.” Bo slipped his backpack from his shoulders and hooked it over one of the bar stools at the counter before starting to unpack the groceries. “Travelling is great but there’s nothing like coming home again.”
“Are you settling in okay?” Harvey asked.
“It’s been great, hasn’t it, Bo?” Ravi said, before he could answer. “What are we making for dinner tonight?”
“Oh, a home-cooked meal?” Harvey asked.
Bo didn’t know whether Ravi’s excitement or Harvey’s surprise put the smile on his face, but he was suddenly happy he was cooking for them both. “I thought we’d have a veggie lasagne and salad. I hope that’s okay?”
“God, more than okay. It will be nice to have a home-cooked meal after eating on the road for the past week.”
Rav wandered over the bench, picking up the milk and heading to the fridge. “Why don’t you go shower and put your stuff away and I’ll help Bo with dinner?”
“Sounds good to me.” Harvey gave Rav a quick kiss on his way past.
Bo waited for the wave of jealousy but surprisingly it wasn’t there. There was definitely a touch of envy at the easy display of affection between the two men, but nothing that made his heart feel like it was being wrenched out of his chest.See, I can do this.
“So, put me to work,” Rav said giving one of his easy smiles.
“Can you find me a ceramic dish to make the lasagne in?
“Sure.”
An hour and half later, they were pushing away cleared plates.
“Wow, that was amazing,” Harvey said. “Who’d have thought a meatless lasagne would pack so much flavour.”
Ravi wore a huge smile. “It’s great, isn’t it? It’s the garlic, and the herbs, plus using the ripest tomatoes. Right, Bo?”
Bo grinned. “It looks like these lessons are paying off.”
“And my stomach is enjoying the benefits.” Harvey stood and gathered the plates. When Bo moved to help, Harvey waved him away. “I’ve got this. You guys cooked so I’ll clean.”
“You’ll get no argument from me,” Ravi said. “So tell me more about the interview tomorrow.”
“It’s at the radio station. There’s the interview, but I’m most looking forward to the live performance.” Harvey stacked the plates into the dishwasher.
“Yeah? What song are you going to play? One of the new ones?” Bo loved all HyperOctane’s music, not just because of Harvey, but because they resonated with him.
