Rowan grinned.He looked almost boyish like that, which made Thomas wonder how old he was.He was definitely older than Thomas’s nineteen years, but Thomas couldn’t pinpoint how much.He didn’t think that Rowan was older than twenty-five, though, if even that.
Which made what he’d done more impressive.He hadn’t just left his family home.He’d left his pack and his entire life behind to start again here in Mayport.It couldn’t have been easy, and Thomas imagined that it still wasn’t.He remembered what it was like to be a newcomer.Most people had been welcoming, so that wasn’t a problem.No, the problem was that everything was new.When Thomas had arrived in Mayport, he’d felt out of place and like he didn’t belong.He’d been afraid to talk to people because he didn’t want to bother them.He’d tried to make himself invisible so that they wouldn’t remember he was there and possibly kick him out of the pack, but that had become impossible to do after Theo started dating the alpha.
Rowan had returned to the quiz, and Thomas took the opportunity to watch him.He hadn’t exactly been afraid of Rowan initially, but he’d definitely been wary, and he didn’t feel like that anymore.No, when he was with Rowan now, he was relaxed, and he could see that the same went for Rowan.It felt like they were on their way to becoming friends, and for some reason, that made Thomas’s heart race.
Could he be friends with Rowan?Could he be friends with someone he wanted to kiss?Because now that he wasn’t trying to keep Rowan at arm’s length, he definitely wished he could lean over the table and kiss his cheek.He wondered what Rowan would do if he did just that.Would he lean back and ask Thomas what he was doing?Or would he lean closer and ask for a second kiss, maybe on the lips?
Thomas’s phone vibrated on the table, distracting him from his daydreams.It was a little ironic that he was the one who couldn’t focus now after Rowan had done it during the day, so he was glad for the distraction, at least until he saw who it was.
He grimaced.He didn’t want to lie to Seth, but his brother was asking where he was, and Thomas needed to tell him something.Telling him he was at the diner studying for his GED wasn’t on the table, which meant that Thomas had to come up with another excuse.
He eyed Rowan, who still wasn’t looking at him.Thomas was studying, but he wasn’t doing it alone.He was doing it with someone he could maybe call a friend, which wasn’t something that ever happened to him.All of his friends had ended up becoming close enough to him that he felt they were more like siblings than friends now.Even though he and Seth weren’t related, he still felt like Seth was his brother.
He couldn’t say the same about Rowan.
The feelings he had for Rowan definitely weren’t brotherly.It freaked him out a bit, but that was mostly because he didn’t know what he was doing.He didn’t have a lot of experience when it came to relationships.Actually, he would say he didn’t have any kind of experience.He hadn’t been in a place to have a relationship when he’d lived on the street, and he’d been so young.He still was.He didn’t feel he was old enough to be in a relationship, but at the same time, he was nineteen, and he wanted one.He wanted to see what the fuss was about.He wanted to find out what it was like to be in Rowan’s arms.
The thought freaked him out a little.He had no idea what he was doing, but he supposed that was the case for anyone in his position.Some people started dating in their early teens, while others waited a little longer.It didn’t matter why Thomas had waited.He had, and he was glad.Now, he felt safe enough that he could relax and think about being with someone.He wasn’t only focused on surviving, not anymore.
His phone vibrated in his hand.Seth had sent him a question mark, clearly still wondering what Thomas was up to.He knew Thomas was done with work, so he probably expected him to come home.
I’m out with a friend, Thomas texted.
He watched as the little dots danced on his screen.Seth was curious and knew that Thomas was up to something.Thomas suspected that his brother felt like he was getting in trouble, which kind of offended him.He’d never gotten in trouble, not on purpose, anyway.He understood where Seth was coming from, though.When they’d lived on the street, they’d all looked out for each other.Thomas was the youngest, so of course everyone focused on him, including Josie, who was only one year older.It was a part of what being a family was for them, and Thomas didn’t want to lose that, but at the same time, sometimes, he wished his siblings didn’t have as many questions as they did.It was especially bad with Seth because he and Thomas lived together.
Thankfully, Seth was mostly distracted by his boyfriend these days.It meant he hadn’t pushed, even though he’d had questions about what Thomas was up to after work, but that wouldn’t last forever.Thomas couldn’t help but wonder what would happen when Seth reached the end of his patience.Would he try talking to him himself, or would he ask the rest of the family to help?They were used to dealing with trouble as a group.It was always a lot, and it wasn’t necessary now, but of course, Seth didn’t know that.
Are you safe?Seth asked.
Thomas rolled his eyes, but he was also pleased.This was a sign that his brother cared.I promise I’m safe.You don’t have to worry about me.
I’ll always worry about you.As long as you promise that you’re okay, though, I’ll leave you be.
I’m okay, and that’s not going to change.Stop worrying about me and go back to your boyfriend.I’m sure you have something planned with him.
You’d know that I don’t if you came home more often.
Thomas grimaced.I would if the two of you would stop kissing in the kitchen.
Seth sent him back a laughing emoji.Thomas wasn’t amused.He’d walked in on Seth and Ryan making out way too often already, and the two of them had just gotten together.
“Everything okay?”Rowan asked, distracting Thomas.
Thomas locked his phone and put it down.“Just my brother being my brother.His boyfriend moved in with us, and I like him, but I like seeing the two of them make out on the couch a little less.”
Rowan laughed.“Well, that explains why you’re not studying at home.”
“I just don’t want to bother them.They haven’t been together long, and they need their space.”And Thomas still hadn’t told Seth that he was studying for his GED.He was going to have to, though.He didn’t like lying to any of his siblings, but especially Seth.It was getting harder to do so since they lived together.
But for now, it felt nice to have someone not from his family to share this with.Maybe it was enough.It wouldn’t be forever, but it didn’t have to be.
* * * *
ROWAN AND THOMAS HADboth left their cars at the sanctuary’s parking lot.It was easier than moving them to the diner, especially when it was so close to the sanctuary.Thomas was carrying a heavy bag containing his books and notebooks, and Rowan was tempted to ask if he needed help, but he wasn’t sure how Thomas would take it, and he didn’t dare.Things were pretty good between them.He didn’t want to ruin that.
He enjoyed the time he was spending with Thomas, both at work and outside of it.He wanted more, but he wasn’t sure he should ask or if it was his place.He didn’t even know if Thomas was spending time with him just because he was helping him to study or if he thought they could be friends.
To be fair, Rowan wasn’t only thinking about them being friends.He wanted them to be more, and that was something else he wasn’t sure Thomas wanted.Maybe Rowan should ask him out on a date?That way, Thomas would know how he felt about him, and he could decide what he wanted.The problem was that Rowan was pretty sure that Thomas would say no, if anything, because there was no way he’d be able to focus on anything until he passed his GED.Rowan didn’t want to distract him from that, so maybe it was better he kept his mouth shut, at least for now.
