“Same time, same place?”
“How do you feel about a winter wedding at the little chapel on Ricochet Ridge?” I ask.
Grinning, Damon replies, “I’ve never felt better about anything in my entire life.”
It’smy turn to grow emotional as I slide into the front seat of Damon’s car in the long-term rental lot. I haven’t been home since surprising my dad for his birthday over a year ago.
As Damon pulls onto familiar streets, longing smacks me square in my chest.
I’ve missed home, and now that I’m back—with Damon—I honestly don’t know how I stayed away for so long.
“Are you okay?” Damon asks as he merges onto the highway.
“A little queasy,” I answer honestly. Once we’re safely in our lane, Damon reaches over and grabs my hand, lacing our fingers, and, fuck, it feels good. I squeeze his fingers tightly, thankful I don’t have to worry about breaking him.
“You’re sure you want me to be there for this?” he asks for the sixth time.
“D, I’m sure. If you’re not there, I’ll never get through it.”
In trueit’s-now-or-neverfashion, I’d asked Damon if we could go to my dad’s straight from the airport and hash this shit out, knowing I won’t get any sleep with everything hanging over my head.
My nausea ratchets up a few notches when Damon pulls into my dad’s neighborhood, and my hands grow clammy.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” I whine, pinching the bridge of my nose.
Damon pulls over before reaching my dad’s house. He angles his body to face me and places his hand on the back of my neck, grounding me like always.
“No matter how this goes, I’ve got you.” He holds his left hand up in my face. “You see this?” he asks, using his thumb to point to the ring on his finger. I nod. “It means you’re never going to be alone again. So, whatever happens in there, you and I are going to face it together, just like you told me in the mountains.We’ll get through it together, just like we always have.And when this meeting is over, I’m taking you home and riding your cock until we both black the fuck out.”
I laugh. “Things I never thought I’d hear come out of your mouthfor a thousand, Alex.”
Damon smiles. “It’s cross-posted in theshit I never thought you’d want to hearcategory.”
Collecting myself, I finally upnod toward my childhood home.
“Let’s get this over with.”
It’s six-thirty in the evening, and my dad’s Audi is in the driveway. Part of me hoped he’d be out.
Blowing out a breath, I make my way to the front door with Damon trailing behind me. This feels all too familiar as I remember what I walked in on the last time Damon and I stood here like this.
With a shaking hand, I ring the bell and wait.
My father’s footsteps can be heard a moment before his distorted face comes into view through the glass pane of the front door.
“Liam?” my dad says in a tone of surprise. I don’t miss the brief flash of pain that crosses his features as he sees Damon behind me.
“Hey, Dad.”
“What are you doing here?” he asks, moving to the side so Damon and I can step into the house. Coughing, he changes his statement. “I mean, I’m glad you’re here, but I didn’t know you were coming…with Damon.”
Suddenly, I’m worried we’ve walked in on something else.Shit. I should’ve called.
“Is now a bad time?” I ask in alarm.
“No, no. Not at all. Please come in.” He gestures toward the living room. “How was the trip?” My dad’s expression is nervous as he keeps glancing at Damon, obviously trying to figure out if I already know or if Damon’s about to make him spill his guts.
“I think it’s time we talked,” I tell him, keeping my voice even. His eyes glance nervously back at Damon. “Dad, he’s not going to bite,” I tell him, already annoyed with his squirrelly behavior.
