“But were you happy? Really?” Leave it to Drew to call him out. If he were honest, something had always been missing even though he wasn’t risking anything. It was nice having someone to come home to, even if it wasn’thishome. “I’m not saying you should rush into living together and some sort of fairytale ending, but be open to whatever happens.”
His phone buzzed.
Pizza’s ordered. Eli’s itching to open his science kit. No rush, but we’re looking forward to some time without an audience.
Drew laughed at the goofy-ass smile Luke couldn’t hide. “Go,” he said, giving him a playful shove. “We’ve got this covered.”
“I told you I’d help clean up,” Luke protested. He looked around and realized the work was pretty much done. The only remaining signs of the afternoon’s celebration were streamer scraps on the ground and Livy’s balloons.
“Lucas.” His mother’s voice held fond exasperation. “Get out of here before your sister asks you to fix something. We’ll see you Sunday for dinner?” The question held weight—she was asking if he’d bring them, make it official.
“Yeah.” Luke’s smile felt permanent. “We’ll be there as long as Noah doesn’t have plans.”
The drive to Noah’s felt different somehow. Like he was heading home rather than to a job site or a casual hookup. The house came into view. Noah sat on the front porch, watching as Luke pulled into the driveway rather than parking on the street the way he had when he was nothing more than the contractor. “Perfect timing. Pizza should be here in a few minutes.”
“Thank my mom and Drew for that.” Luke offered Noah a hand, pulling him out of his chair. He slipped an arm around Noah’s waist, needing to feel him. Before leaning in for a kiss, he said, “I’ve been dying to do this all day.”
Noah hummed softly. “I’m pretty sure you could have kissed me in front of everyone, and it wouldn’t have surprised anyone.”
“Yeah, but I meant it when I said I won’t push you out of your comfort zone.” He leaned back, still holding Noah. “I’m sorry my family basically outed us to half the town.”
“I think the only thing today will change is people won’t beassumingyou’re more than a friend. If I’m honest, it’s a relief to not feel like we’re hiding in plain sight. But I am going to have to talk to Eli to see how he feels about things.”
Luke swallowed around the lump in his throat. That would be the real test, and based on today’s outburst, he wasn’t sure how Eli would react to the news that his dad was dating a man. Partof him wanted to be there when they talked, but that wasn’t his place. That conversation needed to be between Noah and Eli.
But tonight, he wouldn’t borrow trouble. He was going to spend time with the people who’d become his whole world and leave the rest for another time.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Noah squintedat the essay in front of him. No matter how many times he read the words on the page, he couldn’t figure out what point the student was trying to make. It was the end of the school year, and while some students were focused on maintaining or improving their grades, it was obvious some of them had a bad case of summeritis. He was ready for a break from it all.
His phone vibrate in his pocket. He answered when he saw it was Rachel calling. “Please tell me you’re calling to say you’re stopping by with coffee.”
“Better.” Rachel’s smile carried through her voice. “How would Eli feel about a sleepover with his favorite aunt tonight?”
“I’m not sure Megan’s up for sleepovers right now,” Noah teased. The Garrett family had been such a blessing since he’d moved back to town. One thing he’d wished he could provide for his son was a big family, which would never happen since both he and Jenna were only children. Luckily, Rachel and Megan became his honorary aunts the first time Eli met them. He set downhis pen, actually focusing on the conversation now. “And it’s a school night.”
“Very funny, jerk. And I’ll make sure he does his homework and gets to bed on time.” A pause, then, “Come on, Noah. When’s the last time you had an evening to yourself? To just be Noah, not Dad or Mr. Thompson?”
The question hit closer to home than he’d expected. Between work, the house repairs, and being a single parent, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d just…existed. Unless you counted stolen moments with Luke, which were becoming increasingly precious and rare.
“I don’t know…” But even as he protested, Noah imagined an evening without responsibilities. Maybe even a proper date with Luke, dinner somewhere other than the house, followed by a quiet night with Luke in his arms. The few nights they’d stolen together when they first became intimate felt like a distant memory.
Maybe if you told Eli how much you like Luke, you could spend more nights together.The thought had been niggling at the back of his mind for the past few weeks, but he hadn’t found a good time to have what felt like a super serious talk with his son.
And maybe part of him was scared of Eli’s reaction. He and Jenna had talked about the future inevitability of introducing him to people they were dating, but that had seemed much easier when it was abstract and not the present situation.
“You’re overthinking.” Rachel’s voice gentled. “Eli will have a blast. And maybe someone else would appreciate having your undivided attention for once?”
Heat crept up Noah’s neck. “Has Luke been talking to you?”
“Nope. But I have eyes. The two of you both focus so much on Eli when you’re together. It’s about time you had a night just for the grown-ups, don’t you think?”
Noah’s fingers moved before he could second-guess himself, pulling up his messages with Luke.
Rachel offered to take Eli tonight. Dinner?
Give me a time and place. I’m there.
