“I do,” he says. “You coming for the holidays?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Especially now. We all need to be together.”
I feel it coming, and by the way he shifts his focus back to unpacking the bags, I think he feels it too.
“We’re all we’ve got left. And the grandparents are too old to travel. Our other biological parents can eat shit.”
That earns a laugh out of both of us—his weary, mine nervous.
“Family forever,” she finishes somberly.
God? If you’re listening, smite me now. This is cruel and unusual punishment.
“Family… right, Aly,” Keo sighs, pressing his fingers to his temple. “Sorry. Running on low fuel. Migraine.”
“Ah,nooo. You still get those?”
“Yup.”
“Alright, drink lots of water. I’ll let you two go. Talk soon, and I’ll see you in a few months! Christmas will be here before we know it!”
“Bye, Alysa.”
“Bye, sis.”
I hang up and immediately get to my feet. “Let me put that away, Keo.”
He scoffs playfully. “I did all the shopping, drove here, and walked up the stairs. I can put the stuff away.”
“I’m sure you can,” I say, bumping my hip against his as I sidle in. “But I’m here, and I’ve got it. Go lay down.”
He drags in a breath, eyes catching mine for a long beat. “What’re you going to do after?”
“We’ve still got a few hours before dinner.” I pull items from the bags, one by one, lining them up on the counter. “Probably put something on TV and relax on the couch.”
For a second, he just stands there, like he’s weighing something invisible between us. Then he nods and disappears down the hall toward our rooms.
I’ve officially moved into the master, his suggestion—he said he wanted to be closer. God, I’d hoped he meant literally and would come crawl into my bed to hold me the way he did that night. But he hasn’t, and I’m truly a heartbroken man because of it.
Since that night, I haven’t slept the same.
It’s crazy. He hasn’t touched me in any way thatshouldwreck me for anyone else. Yet, here I am, fucking ruined.
Once all the groceries are put away, I set aside my ingredients for dinner and drop onto the couch. My body sags into the cushions, ready for background noise to drown the thoughts clawing at me.
That’s when Keo walks out, a blanket folded under his arm, bare chest on display.
Only wearing sweats.
My lungs seize.
Gray ones.
Oh,fuck me.
In his other hand is that massive water bottle of his. I made fun of it before, but I guess for someone like him, it makes sense. He probably drinks my entire body weight in water every day. Other than coffee, I never see him drink anything else—well, not counting alcohol on a few occasions. Though, since that night we slept beside each other, he hasn’t had any of that either.
“Mind if I join you?”
