I stopped and turned to frown at him. “Why? What do you mean?”
Brent shrugged. “You’re living in a secure building with a doorman and key code access to the elevator. Plus, GQ is a couple of floors above you.”
I hadn’t considered that he wouldn’thaveto live with me any longer, but maybe he’dwantto. A tendril of panic that felt like loss coiled in my gut, making my stomach hurt.
Self-doubt began to set in as I thought about going back to living alone. I didn’t want to admit I’d been lonely, but I was. He-Man had not only filled my apartment but also the loneliness I felt when the band was not on the road. Not to mention my stupid heart.
Dreamboat looked at me with concern in his blue eyes. “You okay, Spencer?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Let’s get this over with. I’m starving again. Patrick’s rabbit food never hangs on long.”
Dreamboat put his hand on my shoulder, making me pause to look at him. “If you’re still concerned about Phantom, you have nothing to worry about. I know you guys have gotten close over the past couple of months.”
I snorted again. “I’m not worried. It’s all good.”
“Yeah, okay,” he replied warily.
When we checked out twenty minutes later, we each carried four bags, laughing at all the healthy shit I’d bought.
I wanted him to have the things he liked when he got back. And I wanted him to feel at home with me. So much so that he didn’t want to leave.
If a small voice in my head said this would end badly, I ignored it… He-man was He-Man… Michael wouldn’t hurt me.
CHAPTER18
MICHAEL
I satat my gate at LAX waiting for my flight back to Portland, more than ready to get back to Adam.
As I waited to board, I tried to pinpoint when I’d become so attracted to him. He’d drawn me in from the moment we met with his flirty personality and beautiful green eyes. He was light and always wore that big smile. You’d think he didn’t have a care in the world.
I still felt some guilt over my job, even though I was the happiest I’d ever been. I needed some reassurance that I was doing the right thing, so I called my very first best friend.
Tapping the screen, I pulled up the number. Pressing the call button, I waited for her to answer. Fortunately, I didn’t have to wait long.
“Hello, sweetheart! How are you?”
A smile spread across my face at hearing my mother’s warm voice.
“Hey, Mom. I’m good. How are you?”
“I can’t complain,” she sighed dreamily. “I’m sitting on the deck overlooking the Pacific Ocean, having a glass of iced tea and reading my book. Where are you?”
I felt a little guilty being so close without going home to visit.
“I’m at LAX waiting for my flight back to Portland. I had something to take care of down here for work. Sorry I didn’t get down there to see everyone.”
“Michael, it’s okay, sweetheart. We understand. It would have taken at least three hours to get here in traffic, but I hope we’ll see you soon. Thanksgiving maybe?”
I sighed and rubbed the back of my neck with my hand. “I’ve got to work Thanksgiving. But I’m hoping to come down for Christmas.”
“That would be really nice.” She paused a moment before continuing. “What’s on your mind, son? Have you heard from Homeland Security?”
Now I chuckled. “You could always read me like a book, and no, I haven’t heard from them. Don’t really expect to, and that’s probably for the best.”
She hummed under her breath. “No one knows you like I do, Michael. I carried you for nine months as close to my heart as humanly possible. You’re my favorite son.”
I laughed again. “I’m your only son, Mom.”
