Mike had to laugh at that. Ben wassogonna hate him for giving his mom the idea. “So I’ve told Tommy we’re gonna have a regime. He has to get up early every morning and get his classwork done, and then the rest of the day is ours.” Every minute they would get together was going to be precious, and Mike was going to make sure they got the most out of it.
Tommy entered the kitchen, Ben following behind. “That’s the last of it,” he told Mike. “All packed up an’ ready to go.” Everything he’d kept in Ben’s apartment was now boxed or bagged up and thrown into the back of Mike’s truck. They’d already cleared out the dorm room that morning. All ofthatwas in the back of Tommy’s truck. It was a weird feeling; all his worldly goods in two trucks. And with all the space at the house, he was sure he and Mike were gonna rattle around in there. Having said that, he hadn’t seen the place since Mike had started moving all his things in. The sale of Mike’s house had gone through fairly quickly, dovetailing nicely with the purchase of their new home.
Our new home
It still took some getting used to, especially when they went to look around the place. It had been so strange to walk around the beautiful house with its hardwood floors, its screened-in porch and long front veranda, and think that it could be theirs.And now he got to spend his summer helping Mike make it into their home.
Mike and Caroline looked in their direction and smiled. “Oh, you mean you were actually doing something?” Mike said with a grin. “And there was me, thinking you were avoiding clearing up after lunch.” His eyes sparkled with amusement.
Tommy returned his grin. “Bite me.”
“Now, now, boys.” Caroline wagged her finger. “Play nice. Y’all are moving in together.” She glanced at Ben. “There’s lemonade in the fridge. Would you get it, please? I thought we could all sit and have a drink before Mike and Tommy leave. Oh, and go find your sister. She’s probably talking to her friends on Skype in her room.”
“Sure, Mom.” Ben exited the kitchen in search of Bethany. Mike wiped his hands dry on a towel and came across to where Tommy was standing next to the table.
“You sure you’ve got everything?”
Tommy nodded. “Me an’ Ben checked over the entire apartment three times. Besides, if I missed somethin’, it’s not like we’re not gonna be here, right?” He sighed. “You’re gonna keep my nose to the grindstone, aren’t ya?” He couldn’t complain. Working online was much better than attending classes, even if Mike made him stick to a timetable.
Mike’s arms were around him in seconds. “Aw, I know it’s tough, baby, but it’s one summer. It’s like I said. Get it all done early on so we get time for us. What did I say?”
Tommy grinned. “I know. I know. ‘A few hours a day beats a week away.’” It was Mike’s new mantra.
“And it means one less year in the long run.” Mike peered intently at Tommy. “I know you’re not happy about how little time we’ll have once school starts up again, but we’ve talked about this.”
“An’ talked about it, an’talked…. Doesn’t mean I have to like it.” He knew Mike was right, of course. It wouldn’t be forever. And part of him was pleased that Mike was thinking of the future. He gave Mike a flash of a smile. “Can’t help it. I’m sorta old-fashioned like that. Y’know, movin’ in together should mean we actually get to live together.” He’d been thinking about that commute. Forty-five minutes twice a day was nothing. He could cope with that. Now all he had to do was convince Mike. Okay, so it would mean time he’d be spending in his truck and not on his studies, but on the plus side, he’d get to sleep in Mike’s arms every night.
He couldn’t see Mike arguing with that.
“I love that you’re an old-fashioned kinda guy,” Mike said with a smile. He stretched up and kissed the tip of Tommy’s nose before taking his hand and guiding him to a chair.
“You two are so sweet together,” Caroline said with a sigh. She sat at the table facing them.
“Where’s Benson?” Mike asked.
“Playing golf at the club.” Caroline’s brow furrowed. “I asked him not to go, but he said it was the only chance he had to meet up with a couple lawyers who were in town. That man works too hard.”
Ben and Bethany entered the kitchen, and Ben went to the fridge to retrieve the lemonade while Bethany fetched glasses from the cabinet.
“I was serious before, y’know.”
Tommy turned to look at Mike. “About what?”
“Loving you being old-fashioned. It’s the way you were raised. You have principles, integrity, respect. Do you know how rare those commodities are in a guy nowadays?”
Tommy stared at him. He didn’t know what to say to such praise, especially in front of the others.
Mike nodded slowly. “This is what makes you so special, Tommy. This is why I love you. So remember, there is nothing wrong with being old-fashioned.” A slow smile spread across his face, and Tommy was surprised to note how Mike’s breathing quickened. “In fact, some occasions call for it.”
Before Tommy could ask what that statement meant, Mike got up from his chair and knelt down in front of him.
“What are you doin’?” Tommy gaped at him. He could hear soft noises of surprise from the others.
Mike reached for his hand and held it, his gaze fixed on Tommy. “I’m taking a leaf out of your book and doing something a little old-fashioned. We’re about to move in together, so I figured now was as good a time as any to ask you a question.” He glanced up at Caroline. “Especially as your adopted mom is sitting there, watching us.”
“Oh my.” Caroline stared at him, her smile growing exponentially.
Mike returned his attention to Tommy. “So I’m here to ask you, Tommy Newsome, if you’ll do me the honor of becoming my husband.”
