Charlie hummed thoughtfully. “I dunno. What’s in it for me?”
“A boyfriend who still wants to have sex with you even though you spilled ice cream on your shirt?”
“Crap.” Charlie looked down, wiping at the already soaked-in stain. “I’m so gross.”
“It’s okay.” Scott laughed. “I still love you.”
“Good, because I really like having sex with you,” Charlie said. “And I guess I’m kind of in love with you, too.”
Scott chuckled, nuzzling Charlie’s stomach and sighing happily as Charlie’s fingers brushed through his hair.
This was true happiness, and he was so glad he’d found it.
Chapter Thirty-Three
“Biscuit will take care of you, I promise,” Charlie said, handing the beagle over to his mother. He’d finally managed to convince her that she needed a dog in her life.
Which was just as well, since he was officially moving out today.
Charlie had expected it to be bittersweet for his mom when he left, but she seemed to be taking it just fine. So far, it had been a bigger deal forhim.
He wanted to live with Scott. He’d spent the bulk of his time in Scott’s home over the last handful of months, but he hadn’t decided to move out completely until now.
So far, Biscuit seemed like a good replacement for him. Easier to live with, probably.
His mom had put up with a lot of his crap over the years and never once complained. Charlie figured it was time to give her some much-needed peace and quiet.
“Well, if Scott ever stops taking care of you, you know where I am.” Mrs. Jules hugged Biscuit close, scratching behind her ears.
She seemed to like that, judging by the way her tail was wagging. She might have been old, but she had plenty of life left in her. She kept up with Chewie, now a six-month-old handful, just fine.
Or rather, she trailed behind him, but she always caught up. She’d even mostly stopped walking into furniture, although she’d have to learn the layout of this place from scratch.
Charlie knew she was up to the task, or he wouldn’t have let her leave Scott’s house.
Their house, now.
It was strange to think of things astheirs, but it was also really nice.
“I’ll miss you,” Charlie said softly. Even though he was excited to be with Scott, his throat caught at the thought that he was leaving home forever.
Well, he wasn’t leaving home, exactly. He was leavingthishome, but he was making a new one.
With Scott.
Just like he’d wanted.
“You’ll be five minutes away. And you can always come back. Whenever you need to.”
“And I have to come to lunch on Sundays, anyway,” Charlie said, knowing the speech by heart now.
His mom was right. He was only five minutes away, and he’d always have a place here. Riley still did. Owen still did.
Charlie was confident that he’d always have his family.
He was just as confident that it included Scott now.
“I love you, mom,” Charlie said, ducking in for a hug. Biscuit made a tiny sound of complaint at being squashed, but Charlie knew she’d forgive him.
