“You like having sex with Aspen, you like having sex with Rachel, and if the time is ever right, perhaps you and I will have sex, and–” Charlie’s dimples popped out as he smiled and squeezed Noah’s neck roughly. “I promise I’d make it good for you.”
Noah shivered–at the cold. Because it was cold out.
“O…kay,” Noah managed to say.
“Okay, so that’s how things are right now. You have love, you have good sex, and you have great friends. All you need to do, possibly with the help of your shrink, and absolutelynotwith the help of your parents, is figure out what comes next. Are you developing further feelings for Aspen, Rachel, or me, or do you just feel platonic love for all of us? Because that’s okay, too.”
God, that did sound Gordy Simple. Not easy, but simple. “That makes sense, but…I’m afraid it’s notactuallyokay. I think Aspen has more than just platonic love for me, and even if they don’t, they want that in their life. They said they didn’t want to get married again, but they definitely want to have relationships and go on dates and all that…stuff.”
Charlie’s smile turned wry. “Do you want to have relationships and go on dates and all that‘stuff’?” he asked, overemphasizing the last word.
“I want to be with Aspen,” Noah said firmly. “And Rachel–who has also said she wants to be in relationships and go on dates and all that stuff, just not right now. And…”
Noah paused, realizing he had no idea what Charlie wanted. He would sometimes offhandedly mention people he’d dated in the past, but since he took over the shelter, Noah couldn’t remember him even talking about hooking up with folks.
“I actually don’t know what you want,” Noah said. “Do…you want to…date?”
Charlie released Noah’s neck so he could sling an arm around his shoulder, pulling Noah roughly against his side. “I’m not in any sort of rush, but, yes. I’d like to date, go on dates, have great sex, fall in love, and all that ‘stuff,’ but all in due time.”
Noah noticed he specifically didn’t address whether he wanted to do any of thatwith Noah. He was tempted to ask, but he also didn’t know if he could handle the answer right now. This seemed like the sort of thing he would have to have a nice long panic about and then try and process through later.
“You know what I think you should do?” Charlie asked. The weight of Charlie’s arm and the solidity of his body were the only things keeping Noah standing upright when all he wanted to do was collapse. “I think you should enjoy the rest of the trial period, focusing on trying out those dates and ‘stuff’ with Aspen, Rachel, and anyone else you’re interested in. That’s the whole point of this trial, right? Just keep doing what you’re doing, and I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
Noah sighed and leaned his head against Charlie’s shoulder. He now hadeven moreto figure out, like whether he wanted to have sex with or go on dates and “stuff” with his otherbest friend. He wrapped his arm around Charlie’s waist and rested his hand a few inches lower than he normally would have.
“Not to change the subject on you, cause trust me, I’d much rather keep making you blush.” Charlie grinned at him, and Noah huffed and pinched his side, which only made him grin wider. “I feel like I need to be responsible and ask how the fundraising is going on your front.”
They stayed outside for another ten minutes, as Noah updated Charlie on their fundraising efforts. He had a cash envelope in his briefcase that held over $500 from the last week alone, but having spent a fair amount of time in Charlie’sfinances, he knew they still hadn’t landed on a sustainable solution. Charlie had gotten two of the three grants he’d applied for and was now starting to look for loans, but he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to meet all of the requirements.
“Unfortunately, the Rainbow Bean is booked solid through the end of the holidays, but Aspen and I are going to explore some more ideas about hosting a fundraiser in the city,” Noah said, as they herded Alfie and Gordon back inside.
“That’s okay, just keep me posted if anything comes together. I know I should probably be the one organizing this, but…”
“You hate going into the city,” Noah finished for him.
Charlie gave him a rueful smile as he scratched the back of his neck. His shirt rode up in the front, revealing a small strip of dark hair that Noah wouldalsobe thinking about later.
“I know how ridiculous that is, seeing as how I lived there for years and even worked in a bar, but after living out here for a while, the idea of all those people and the traffic and the noise…I just…”
“I know. Let me and Aspen handle this first one, and if it seems like something you would want to do more regularly, we can talk about volunteers and roles,” Noah said.
The more suburban, almost rural lifestyle Charlie had out here suited him much better than city life ever had. It’s why Noah never asked him to come into the city. Plus, he liked his weekly trips out to the shelter.
“I really wish I could pay you both, but I wouldn’t even know where to begin with hiring employees. Maybe you two should join the Board or something. It’s just Melissa and Harry right now, and I bet it would make your dear old parents happy.”
Melissa and Harry were the final foster parents Charlie had before aging out of the system. They were more like grandparents than parents to him. When he’d bought the shelter, the previous owners had urged him to turn it into anonprofit, and he’d needed two board members besides himself to get the nonprofit status. Charlie had done his best, but he’d taken some missteps with his money and hadn’t established any sort of funding or donor base, instead focusing on the dogs and the property.
“I’m not actually sure if it would impress my parents,” Noah said with a sigh. “They only seem to care about big-name charities and things that sound good at the golf course.”
I still don’t see why you couldn’t come home and work for your father. Goodness knows he could use help overseeing your brother‘s work. I guess, as always, you’re being pig-headed and putting your own happiness over the good of the family. You’re lucky your father’s connections extend all the way out to your city.
Charlie snorted and booted up his computer. “And you’re sure that’s what you want to deal with over Christmas? I told you, you’re welcome to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with me, Melissa, and Harry.”
Noah leaned across the back of Charlie’s chair, letting his fingertips brush the back of Charlie’s neck, right below the collar of his flannel shirt. Charlie leaned into the touch before pulling up his planning document for the fundraiser they were slowly developing for January.
“I appreciate it, but I’m looking forward to spending tomorrow with Aspen, and I’m afraid Christmas just is what it is.”
“Alright, peanut, but the offer is always available. Or I could ditch Christmas dinner for a year, and we could hole up here.”
