Afterward, we clean up in the bathroom, with Jay wiping away the globs of toothpaste from the sink, and I hang up my wet towel that’s crumpled on the floor from my morning shower, avoiding the usual argument.
Turning off the television and the lights in the living room, I grab us each a glass of water before crawling into bed, entwining my limbs with Jay’s. I can’t get enough of the feel of his body against mine.
“I love you, baby,” I whisper in his ear, kissing his neck, feeling him shiver.
“I love you, too, Princess,” he says, earning a groan and a pinch on the side, making him yelp.
Being with him never gets old.
Sunday morning, we head to the farmers’ market to buy our weekly produce and to browse what the local vendors have to offer.
I love these leisurely walks, walking hand in hand, just spending time together. We’ve done it dozens of times, but this morning, something hits me.
“Do you remember that night of the homecoming dance, our junior year?” I ask, squeezing Jay’s hand.
“Of course,” he replies, smirking at me. “It’s the night I was brave enough to tell you how I felt about you, and we kissed for the first time.”
He’s got me there. I was such a chickenshit, waiting for him to make the first move.
“Do you remember what you said to me as we were walking back inside?”
His smile lights up his entire face. “I said I couldn’t wait for the day when I could walk down the street holding your hand for everyone to see.”
Lifting his hand to my mouth, I kiss his fingers. “I just remembered that moment, and I realized we get to do every day. I want everyone to see us, and I don’t care what they think.”
It’s such a simple thing, but it means everything to me to realize we have what we always dreamed of.
After finishing our purchases, we head home to get ready for lunch with Ronda and Heather.
Over the past few months, we’ve made it a monthly ritual to gather for a meal, taking turns between visiting them in Portland or them coming to Astoria. It’s our turn to host, and we’re serving a build-your-own taco and burrito bar.
We still have an hour before they arrive, so we’re tidying up the apartment and finishing the last of the meal prep when my phone buzzes on the counter.
It’s my mom. She’s never called me without scheduling the call first.
“Hey, Mom.”
There’s a momentary pause before a deep male voice speaks.
“Aiden?” the caller asks, sounding hesitant.
My nerves are instantly on edge. I’m crossing my fingers and toes it’s not my father, but it sounds a lot like him.
“Who’s this?” I growl.
“Oh, hey. It’s your brother…James.”
I nearly drop the phone. I haven’t heard his voice since hewas ten.
“James?” I croak out, already heading toward the living room to sit down.
Hearing me say my brother’s name, Jay instantly switches into supportive boyfriend mode, following me to the couch and taking my hand. I put the phone on speaker so he can hear.
“Yeah, hey,” he says. “I know it’s been a long time. It took some convincing, but I finally got Mom to let me call you. I’m using hersecretphone.”
“Wow! It’s really great to hear from you. How are you?”
“Honestly, things aren’t great right now.” The stress in his voice carries a heavy weight.
