Noah recounted the events of last night and this morning, from the encounter with Jimmy to Eli’s innocent excitement about his date with Luke. He expressed his fears about involving Luke so deeply in their lives and the potential risks and complications that came with it. He stopped short of admitting to his ex that he was in love.
Jenna listened patiently, offering words of reassurance and understanding. She reminded Noah it was natural to feel doubt and fear when navigating new territory, but she also encouraged him to trust his instincts and to be honest with himself and Eli.
“You need to do what feels right for you, Noah,” Jenna said. “I think you’re probably getting ahead of yourself unless you plan on Luke moving in over the weekend. You don’t have to have all the answers right now. If Eli has questions, be honest with him. Don’t be scared to tell him how you feel about Luke, and if you want Luke to spend the night sometimes, talk to Eli about that too. He doesn’t need to know what’s going on behind closed doors, and neither does anyone else in town. Even before this, I’m not sure how you moved back there. You knew damn well everyone’s in everyone else’s business.”
“Yeah, but it’s home.” Noah felt a sense of relief wash over him as he listened to Jenna’s advice. He knew she was right—he needed to trust himself and take things one step at a time. But the lingering doubt still weighed heavily on his heart.
As he ended the call with Jenna, Noah reflected on their conversation and the conflicting emotions that swirled within him. He knew he had a lot to think about, to consider, but he also knew he couldn’t let fear control his actions.
Noah gathered his things and made his way into the house, his mind still a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. As he approached the back door, he heard the sound of laughter and playful shouts. He rounded the corner to find Luke and Eli playing catch, their faces lit up with joy and excitement.
Luke noticed Noah’s presence and walked over to him, a concerned look on his face. “Hey, is everything all right?”
Noah forced a smile, trying to hide the turmoil within him. “Yeah, just a lot on my mind. Everything’s fine.”
Luke’s eyes searched Noah’s face, seeing through his facade. “You sure? You can talk to me, you know. About anything.”
Noah took a deep breath, acknowledging the fears and doubts lingering within him. He knew he needed to be honest with Luke, to share his concerns and work through them together. But for now, he decided to enjoy the moment, to appreciate the happiness that surrounded them.
“I know,” Noah said, his voice soft. “Thank you. I just… I need some time to process everything. But I’m glad you’re here. Really glad.”
Luke’s face softened, and he squeezed Noah’s hand. “Me too. You’re sure we’re good?”
“Better than,” Noah assured him. Because they were. He wasn’t sure where they were headed, but they’d find a way through it. As they stood there, watching Eli play, Noah knew that he hada lot to think about, to work through. But he also knew he had something special with Luke, something worth fighting for. And he was determined to face his fears and doubts head-on, to work through them and build a future with Luke by his side.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The past monthhad been a whirlwind. Luke had spent almost as many nights in Noah’s bed as he did his own. Luke barely remembered what life felt like before that fateful day when he caved to his sister’s pleas for her to help a single dad who’d gotten suckered into buying a house that had almost as many issues as it had history. If not for the fact they were trying to be mindful of how much time Luke and Eli spent together, not wanting the boy to see Luke as a fixture in their lives until he and Noah were certain this was something that would last, he’d have gladly spent every night keeping Noah warm and satisfied.
It’d been barely spring when they met again, and now it was Father’s Day weekend. Taking Noah and Eli to the Garrett’s annual weekend at the lake felt like a monumental step. The sort of step you didn’t take until you were ready to commit your life to the partner you brought into the fray.
Until this year, Luke swore he’d forever be relegated to sleeping on the couch in the basement because he would forever be the singleton in the family. This year, Luke’s baby brother, Ryan, would be on the couch because his partner couldn’t get theweekend off work. Luke wasn’t even the least bit sorry to be taking over the room that had been theirs for the past three years.
Luke stood in his kitchen, running through the list he’d put together. The scent of fresh coffee filled the air, grounding him as he double-checked that he had Eli’s favorite snacks and drinks. He packed Eli’s juice boxes and a six-pack of soda into a cooler for the drive, then pulled the big cooler out of the shed in the backyard to hold the meat his mom had assigned for him to bring, beer, and more juice boxes. The kid was a fiend for them lately, and Luke wouldn’t let him down.
The domesticity was both comforting and unnerving. Luke felt a growing sense of responsibility, a realization that his actions now affected more than just himself. As he added the last snacks, he thought about how easily he had fallen into this routine, how natural it felt to be a part of their lives.
He looked around his kitchen at the familiar objects that had once signified bachelorhood and freedom. Now, they seemed to hold a different meaning, relics of a lonely life that didn’t have room for anyone else. He was on the precipice of something profound, something that could change his life forever, and the weight of that realization was daunting.
Luke took a deep breath, steeling himself for the day ahead. He grabbed the coolers and headed out to his truck, the sun already bright and promising a warm summer day. The streets of Maple Hill were quiet, a peaceful contrast to the turmoil in his mind. He rolled down the windows, letting the fresh air fill the cab, trying to clear his thoughts.
Turning onto Noah’s street, Luke felt a mix of comfort and apprehension. The sight of Noah’s house, with its well-kept yardand inviting porch, made his spirits lift higher. He pulled into the driveway, the crunch of gravel under his tires signaling his arrival. The house felt different now—not just a job site or a quick stopover, but a place that felt like home. Funny how he’d once felt the same about his own place, but now that property felt more like a burden than anything.
Luke barely had the truck in park before Eli came bounding out the front door, his face lighting up with excitement. “Uncle Luke!” he shouted, running toward the truck. Luke stepped out in time to catch Eli as he launched himself into Luke’s arms. “I thought you’d never get here!”
Luke chuckled, ruffling Eli’s hair. “I promised I’d be here by eight, didn’t I? And I always keep my promises.”
Eli beamed up at him. “Are we going to the lake now? Dad says we can swim and have a picnic. And Livy said there’s a boat and that if it’s okay with you and my dad, I might be able to sit in one of the tubes on the water. But you’d have to go with me because kids can’t go in the water without an adult.”
Luke nodded, setting Eli down. “That’s the plan, buddy. We’ve got a whole weekend of fun ahead of us. And it’s a safe bet there will be plenty of time tubing, but you have to remember to take turns with the other kids.”
Noah appeared in the doorway, a small cooler in one hand and a tote bag slung over his shoulder. He smiled warmly at Luke, his eyes soft with affection. “Morning,” Noah said, stepping onto the porch.
“Morning,” Luke replied, feeling a flutter in his stomach as he met Noah’s gaze. He took the cooler as he leaned in for a quick kiss. “All set?”
Noah nodded. “I think so. Eli, did you grab your swim trunks?”
Eli bounced on his toes. “Yeah, and my goggles and my beach ball and everything!”
