“Hey, baby,” he murmurs, and butterflies riot in my stomach.
“Hi, Blue,” I say shyly. Those dark blue eyes brighten, and his smile widens.
“What time is it?” His voice is rough with sleep.
“Not even seven,” I murmur.
He stretches, a soft, deep groan leaving him, and it takes everything in me not to stare openly.
“No run this morning?” he yawns, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
I shake my head. “No. Don’t want to wake Ciarán.”
He gives me a crooked grin. “A lazy morning in bed with Gabe Shaw, lucky me.” I laugh at him. He always seems so pleased to spend time with me, even when we’re doing nothing. As though being part of this quiet life is enough for him. Like maybe, he really believes I'm enough for him. It’s surprising, and I still find it hard to believe.
He slips out of bed, and I glimpse the shape of his sculpted ass in those gray sweats as he heads to the bathroom. My stomach flips at the sight. Nobody should look that good in sweats.
When he returns, his hair is a little damp, like he’s run wet hands through it, and he smells of mint. Without a word, he slides under the covers again, tugging the duvet up until we’re both cocooned to the chin.
We lie face-to-face, breathing the same air. His knee bumps mine under the covers, and he leaves it there.
Noah looks at me like this isn’t just a random morning, like it’s something he’s been waiting for. His expression is warm, eyes glittering, boyish charm in full force. He looks comfortable here, like he belongs.
Maybe there’s a version of my life where this isn’t just a temporary thing—where I get to wake up next to him again, and again, until mornings like this become our normal routine. A version where I get to keep Noah. Forever.
I let myself enjoy the fantasy, just a little. It’s nice to dream, even if it’s unlikely.
“How’s the gym going?” I ask after a while.
Noah rolls onto his back, muscled arm tucked behind his head, and blows out a slow breath. “Good,” he says. “Better every day, I think. But… we lost a lot of people after the first few weeks, which is to be expected; it’s settling now. Hopefully, when word spreads, we get more clients. It’s a new business, it’ll grow.”
I move my pillow so I can see his face better. “Are you worried?”
He glances at me, the corner of his mouth pulling down. “Not really, it’s just… Aiden’s been quiet about it, but I think he’s worried about money. We’re covering costs for now, but it’s tight. We have Jules and Zeke, and a fair amount of overheads from starting. Me and Aiden are only taking a basic wage for now. And…” He sighs, rubbing a hand over his jaw. “Lucy doesn’t seem to be pitching in much financially with Rose’s stuff. I know daycare is expensive.”
My stomach knots. I picture my brother exhausted and stressed, but always being the best he can for Rose, and guilt flares that I haven’t noticed sooner. I’ve been so lost in my own issues for the last few years—between our parents’ passing, and everything else—I haven’t been the brother I should be to him. I’ve been useless. Probably just adding to his worries.
I’ll offer more help. With Rose, with anything that eases some of the pressure on him. And Noah… he said they’re only taking a basic wage, maybe I could charge him less rent. It’s already less than what most people would get around here, but I don’t want him struggling.
I go to open my mouth, but like Noah can sense where my mind has gone, he shifts closer, bumping my knee with his under the covers again. “Don’t worry. I’m okay. He’s okay,” he says gently. “He’s just… tired. Everything will work out.”
I nod, wishing I could believe him as easily as he says it. “I’ll check in with him.”
“I’m sure he’d love that.”
There’s a pause, then his expression changes into something almost sheepish. “I’ve been working out with Theo most mornings. He’s funny as hell, for someone who looks like a member of a metal band.”
That pulls a chuckle from me. “He seems really nice. He and Ciarán seem to have hit it off. I think…” I clear my throat, feeling a bit silly for my next comment. “I’d like to be his friend too.”
I haven’t made a new friend in such a long time, and it seems like such a juvenile thing to want. I’ve kept a bit of distance so far, being nervous around new people. Everyone in the group gets on so well with Theo, though. I want that too.
Noah’s face lights up at my admission.
“Yeah?” he asks brightly, and I nod. “I think you two would get on really well. You both have similar humor, love to crack a good one-liner.” He chuckles, and there’s that warm feeling in my stomach again. Pleased Noah finds me funny. “We should do more as a group, if you’re up for it. I like seeing Ciarán and Theo annoying your brother.”
There’s a wicked tilt to his lips. Noah and Aiden always had the type of relationship where they love to tease and torment each other.
“I’m sure he loves that, dealing with two people trying to get a rise,” I say sarcastically.
