As I’m putting another box together, there’s a knock at the door.
“Hey, sweetie,” my mom greets me as I let them in, carrying more boxes and packing supplies.
She’s always organized and ready to help. Heather follows behind her, holding a bag of food and some plastic totes. They set everything down and turn toward me, with expectant looks on their faces.
I take a deep breath. “Okay, I’ll just rip the band-aid off and tell you. I’m moving to Astoria with Aiden.”
They exchange a knowing look, and my mom gives Heather a nod, our classic family dynamic. Heather is always the one to take the lead. I appreciate it sometimes, like when she helped me with Ray. But in moments like this, I wish she would keep her opinions to herself. I’m a grown man in my thirties, and I can make my own decisions. I brace myself for what’s coming.
“Jay, don’t you think this is a little too soon?” she starts, her tone sharper than I’d like. “We love Aiden, and we’re happy you’re starting a relationship, but with your history, don’t you think it would be wise to take it slow?”
I clench my jaw and try to stay calm. “Do you honestly think our relationship just started? He’s been my best friend since I was five years old, and I’ve been in love with him since I was a teenager.
“It doesn’t matter how many years we spent apart. The moment I saw him again, it was as if no time had passed. We’ve been building toward this moment for a long time.
“I love him, and he loves me. I’m miserable when I’m not with him. This is happening, and I hope you’ll support us.”
My mom speaks up, giving Heather a sideways glance. “Good for you, Jayson. I’m proud of you, and I’m happy for you both.”
Apparently, my mom and Heather have differing opinions.
Heather sighs. “Fine,” she relents. “I’ll support you. I know this isn’t a new relationship, and I’ll try to give Aiden the benefit of the doubt. It’s just that you’ve been hurt and not the best judge of character. I don’t want to see history repeating itself.”
“That isn’t fair,” I snap, annoyed that she doubts my judgment in my own life. She knows how hard I’ve worked to get here.
“Just because I was in a toxic relationship before, it’s unfair of you to assume this is a poor decision. And Aiden isn’t Ray. I’m safe with him.”
She sighs. “I’m sorry. You’re right.”
Did I really just hear my sister say I was right? What is happening?
My mom winks at me and smiles. We haven’t done a great job of standing up for ourselves with Heather, but we need to start. I know she means well and wants what’s best for us, but she can bea bit of a bully sometimes. It’s another step in the right direction for me.
We fall into a familiar rhythm, packing up my life once again. But this time, it feels much different. When we packed up my house, which I’d shared with Ray, it was full of pain and regret over wasted years.
This move signifies a fresh start, filled with hope, certainty, and the love I’d only dreamed of.
I can’t wait.
“I think that’s the last of it,” Aiden says as he closes the door ofourapartment. “Come here.”
He takes my hand, guides me to the couch, and pulls me into his arms, his lips grazing the back of my neck.
Unloading the moving van has been slow because we can’t stop touching each other. Whether it’s a hand slipping across ribs or reaching out to hold hands, we can’t get enough. After waiting so long for this, neither of us can keep our hands off each other for more than a few minutes.
“Well, we did it,” I say, lacing my fingers through his. “Now comes the fun part: figuring out where to put all this stuff.”
Aiden’s already unpacked his boxes, but he’s left plenty of space for me. Half the closet in our bedroom is empty, ready for my clothes, and the walls are bare, waiting for us to do that together so we can blend his decor with mine.
My boxes are piled in every corner, and my small amount of furniture is temporarily stored in the vacant apartment next door until we figure out where to put it all.
“Let’s make unpacking tomorrow’s problem. Right now, I just want to hold you.”
“I’m good with that,” I murmur, sinking against him.
My eyelids grow heavy, and before I know it, we’re both out cold.
An hour later, I wake up to Aiden’s low voice.
