Just like that, the Anderson family dinner machine whirred into action—his mom appearing with a bowl, Paige carrying a basket of rolls, everyone moving with the practiced efficiency of a routine perfected over the years.
Jules caught Keaton’s eye across the chaos, a small, private smile playing at their lips. In that moment, Keaton knew with absolute certainty that Jules belonged here, with his family, with him. The realization was terrifying and exhilarating and absolutely right.
As they settled around the table, his father at the head, his mother at the foot, Paige and Jules and himself filling in the spaces between, Keaton felt something settle in his chest—a certainty he hadn’t known he was missing.
This was what home felt like. Not just the house he’d grown up in, but the people who filled it with laughter and love and the occasional embarrassing story. And now, somehow, Jules was part of that, fitting into the fabric of his family as if they’d always been there.
Keaton looked around at the faces he loved most in the world, including the newest addition sitting beside him, and felt something like peace settle over him.
TWENTY
As promised, Keaton found the first opportunity he could to make their excuses after dinner. Jules’s cheeks flushed a bright red, worried everyone knew why they were in a hurry to leave. It was eerily quiet when Keaton pulled into the parking lot, and Jules was suddenly second-guessing their decision to move in while the rest of the building was empty. But their arrangement had been for them to stay with Keaton until their place was ready, so there wasn’t any legitimate reason to delay.
The weight of the day pressed down on them as Keaton led them upstairs, but it was the thought of sleeping alone for the first time in years that made their chest tighten. Once safely inside Jules’s apartment, neither of them seemed in a hurry. The long day was catching up with them, and the mattress was still wrapped in plastic. Jules wasn’t even going to think about assembling the frame tonight. That could wait until morning.
“Did you want to get the TV hooked up and logged into your streaming services?” Keaton asked. Jules shook their head, giving a shy jerk of the head toward the bedroom. Why it was sodifficult to come right out and say they wanted to get naked was beyond them.
Keaton pulled out his pocket knife and handed it to Jules. “I have to take a leak. Why don’t you start unwrapping the mattress so we can get some sheets on it?”
“Sounds like a plan.” Jules yawned wide enough to pop their jaw. If Keaton didn’t hurry, there was a good chance they’d be asleep within the next five minutes.
They glanced around the room, trying to imagine how it would feel to wake up here, without the familiar sounds of Keaton moving around the apartment. The idea was both exhilarating and terrifying.
Keaton appeared in the doorway, his presence a solid comfort in the chaos. He leaned against the doorframe, his gaze soft and understanding. “You okay?” he asked, his voice low and gentle.
Jules shrugged, their hands resting on their hips. “Yeah, just trying to wrap my head around everything,” they said, gesturing to the boxes scattered around the room. “It’s strange, you know? I’ve never really been on my own like this before.”
Keaton nodded, his eyes never leaving Jules. “It’s a big change,” he agreed. “But I think you’re right that it’ll be good for you. This place will be amazing once you’re all settled in.”
Jules let out a shaky breath, their fingers fidgeting with the hem of their shirt. “I know,” they said, their voice barely more than a whisper. “It’s just… I’m not used to being alone. I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep here by myself, especially until at least someone else moves in. It’s…just a bit creepy. I know that’s stupid since it’s a great neighborhood and all, but when we werewalking in, I couldn’t help but imagine someone squatting in one of the empty units, hoping you wouldn’t notice.”
Keaton hesitated, his brows furrowing slightly as he considered his words. “You know, I could stay tonight,” he offered, his voice cautious. “If you want. Whatever makes you feel comfortable. I know you were going on about needing some time to yourself, and I respect that. But I don’t want you tossing and turning, listening for every little sound either.”
Jules’s heart skipped a beat at the suggestion. They wanted to prove their independence, to show themself they could do this alone. But the thought of spending their first night here without Keaton felt overwhelming. They looked at Keaton, their eyes searching his face for any sign of expectation or judgment. All they saw was warmth and understanding.
“Yeah,” Jules said, their voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in their chest. “I’d like that. Maybe tomorrow, I’ll feel more settled.”
Keaton smiled, a soft, genuine smile that reached his eyes. “There’s no rush,” he said, stepping into the room. “Let’s get this bed set up then.”
Together, they unfolded the sheets, the crisp cotton snapping as they shook them out. Jules was grateful Keaton had insisted on shopping for soft goods earlier this week, so they’d been able to wash everything. They worked in silence, their movements synchronized as they tucked in the corners and smoothed out the wrinkles. Keaton grabbed the pillows, fluffing them before placing them at the head of the bed. Jules watched him, their heart swelling with a mix of gratitude and love. It felt right for them to work in concert like this, as if they’d been doing it forever.
It was stupid that this, of all things, was what made Jules second-guess whether it was truly necessary for them to move out of a place they loved to be, coexisting with the man they loved.
When the bed was made, they stood back, admiring their handiwork. The room felt different now, more lived-in, more theirs. Jules turned to Keaton, their eyes meeting his in a quiet moment of understanding.
“Thank you,” Jules said, their voice soft. “For everything. For being here.”
Keaton reached out, his fingers gently brushing a strand of hair from Jules’s face. “Always,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “I’ll always be here for you, Jules. No matter what.”
Jules leaned into his touch, their eyes fluttering closed for a moment. When they opened them again, they found Keaton watching them, his gaze filled with tenderness and desire. They stepped closer, their hands reaching for the hem of Keaton’s shirt.
“May I?” Jules asked, their fingers tracing the edge of the fabric.
Keaton nodded, his breath hitching slightly as Jules lifted his shirt, revealing the planes of his chest. They took their time, their fingers lingering on his skin, tracing the lines of his muscles. Keaton shivered under their touch, his breath coming in shallow gasps.
Jules leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Keaton’s chest, their lips lingering on his skin. They could feel his heartbeat, steady and strong beneath their touch. They moved higher, their lips trailing a path up his chest, their fingers working to unbuttonhis shirt. Keaton groaned softly, his hands finding Jules’s hips, pulling them closer.
Their breaths mingled as Jules finally reached Keaton’s lips, their kiss slow and measured, a promise of more. Keaton’s hands slid under Jules’s shirt, his fingers tracing the curve of their spine, sending shivers of pleasure down their back. They broke the kiss, their breaths ragged as they stared into each other’s eyes.
