His parents loved the idea of him having a baby, of Mhairi’s little one having a cousin close in age.
“Cool. I’m glad. I mean, it’s about time you found somebody you liked, right?” If he was honest, Nick looked a little confused and maybe a little worried, but it didn’t matter because he didn’t have to deal with this right now.
“Trust me, I’ve got this, and so does Devon. It’s going to be fine. I’m really looking forward to actually learning how to live with someone else. I never have as an adult.”
He guessed that was weird. Was that weird? Maybe it was.
“Fuckin’ A. I mean, good for you! I’ve done it—not successfully, mind you—but I have done it. It’s challenging, but there are times when it’s great, especially if you want to cook for somebody or you want to watch a movie together. Those times.” There was a sadness in Nick’s expression, and he didn’t love how that was working out. But there wasn’t anything that Laird could do about it in a practical sense.
He would keep supporting his buddy any way he could.
But Laird also really needed to make some married friends. Raven and Ben—they could start there.
“Hey, anytime you wanna come over and watch a movie you know you’re welcome.” He realized he hadn’t said anything for a moment, and he didn’t want to look like a jerk. Nick was clearly feeling some kind of way about him moving in with Devon and he needed to be decent about it. He wasn’t a dick.
“Yeah, I know. It’s not the same as cuddling up with someone on the couch with a blanket and some smooches.”
“True enough. Come on. Let’s get this box in the truck, and then we can head on over to Devon’s house.”
Nick arched a brow. “It’s your house now, too.”
Laird chuckled, hoisting the box in his hands. “Well, that is the idea, sure, but I know I’m there on a trial basis. It may be that it doesn’t work out.” He hoped to God it did. But it was never a one hundred percent sure thing.
“I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to start a new living with someone relationship with ‘it may not work out’ being the big thing. I mean, just saying?—”
Laird winced, feeling his cheeks get hot. “Okay, so maybe you have a point. I mean, maybe I’m a little nervous. I’ve never lived with somebody before like this, and Devon’s got this whole house. It’s his, not mine. You know?”
“Hey, listen. You are allowed to be excited. It’s going to be great.”
He met Nick’s eyes. “You think so?”
Nick nodded, the motion confident, no hesitation. “I really do. It’s going to be amazing. You’re going to have fun. You’re going to learn so much about each other. Get ready for this baby. You’ve got the holidays coming up. It’s going to be fabulous. Trust me.”
Laird blew out a hard breath. “I want it to be fabulous. I want this to be a kind of love story my kid will tell their first crush.”
“Yeah, it’s gonna happen, man. This is just nerves.”
“Well, I am a grumpy bastard.” He laughed, feeling better. “I keep thinking, what if he is like, damn, no. This guy is a nut.”
“No way. He’s going to be all over you. He’s such a sweetheart, and you love him so much, I can tell.” Nick wasbeing a higher-level cheerleader, and he really appreciated it. So he gave the guy a one-arm hug as soon as the box was in the car.
“Thanks, man, I needed the pep talk.”
“No worries. Now I’ve got you all ramped up so when you get there, you won’t be so much of a downer for Devon.”
“And there he goes bringing me right back down to earth with a thump.” He had to laugh because Nick was such an asshole, but he adored the guy.
“What can I say, man? I’m a realist.” Nick winked at him. “Here, give me your keys.”
“What?”
“Give me your fucking keys. I’ll clean up for you and turn your keys in. You go. Be in love and shit.”
Whoa. That was…incredibly cool. “Are you sure, man? That’s a lot of work.”
Nick held out his hand with a growl. “Just do it. I got nothing better to do. I’ll go get a beer after.”
“You going to the Badger?” He could call and start a tab for Nick to say thanks.
