Instead of letting Cole move into some shitty shared house—because that’s all he could afford at the minute—my parents had converted their garage into a liveable space for him, complete with a small en suite and a tiny kitchen area. That way he could save for a deposit on something nicer eventually. House prices had jumped since I’d bought mine. His inheritance from Aunt Meg needed a little adding to.
“I know it’s not the same as if I had my own place with Mum and Dad being right next door.”
“Are you kidding?” I gestured around the main room where we stood. It was more like a bedsit-type space, with his bed at one end but with room for a small sofa, coffee table, and a TV. “You get all this, and youalsohave Mum and Dad next door. So that means no dragging all your washing down to the laundrette.” I listed things on my fingers. “No shitty landlord to chase when anything goes wrong, and I’m pretty sure Mum will want to feed you at least twice a week.”
Cole laughed. “She said I’m welcome whenever for food, but I need to do my own laundry.” He shrugged. “Which I can’t complain at.”
“No, you bloody can’t.” I pointed at the best bit of all. “And you have your own front door, so you can come and go as you please. And have people over when you like.”
Cole’s grin widened. “Yeah. Mum said she’d text before coming round.” He rolled his eyes and laughed. “Like I’m miles away. But yeah, she promised neither her nor Dad would come in without asking if it was okay first.”
I slung an arm around his shoulders and turned serious for a moment. “You happy with this? I know you had your heart set on moving out.”
He sighed, but it was more of a happy sigh. “I did, but that was because I just wanted some privacy mainly. But some of the places I looked at...” He shuddered. “I didn’t realise how expensive it was to rent somewhere. This way I get privacy and it’s cheap enough that I can still save for a deposit.”
“Good.” I gave his shoulders a squeeze before letting go. “I bet Mum wanted to let you live here rent-free, right?”
“Yeah.” He laughed softly. “I had to force her to accept anything. But they’re hoping that Nan might move in here eventually if she decides she can’t manage on her own, so I told her to put my rent towards any changes they’d need to make for her.”
I nodded and was just about to suggest we go back to the main house when Cole fixed me with a pointed look. “What?”
“Anything you want to tell me?” He raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms over his chest.
I shifted from foot to foot. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Really.”
I knew exactly what he was getting at. Christian had finally moved out three weeks ago after delays and then weeks of going back and forth with the builders over the snag list that was far bigger than you’d expect for a new build.
Me, Cole, and Jasper had all helped him move in, and I’d caught Jasper’s wistful expression more than once as he moved things out of the room that used to be his.
“I don’t know.” I scrubbed a hand through my hair. “Christian’s only just left. Maybe I should give it a month or two.”
“For what, exactly?”
“Um...” He had me there. Jasper had moved back in with his dad, which had worked out surprisingly well. Their relationship had improved tenfold and I couldn’t be happier for him. It was the best thing to happen to them.
And us.
As much as I missed having Jasper in my house 24/7, we’d needed our space at times, and our relationship had flourished because of it. Yes, it sucked not waking up with him every day, but were we ready for such a big step?
“Earth to Finn?” Cole poked me in the arm.
“Sorry.” I shook my head. “What did you say?”
Cole gave me a fond smile. “What are you worried about?”
I thought about deflecting the question, but I needed to talk to someone, and maybe Cole was the perfect person. “That it’s too soon, and we’ll ruin what we’ve got.”
Instead of telling me I was an idiot like I’d expected him to, he nodded. “I think that’s a fair point. You’ve only been together, what? About six months?”
I nodded. “More or less.”
“It’s not long in the scheme of things.”
I wanted to argue because when we were together, it felt like we’d been that way for years, not months. A smile tugged at his lips, him obviously reading me like a book. “Oh, shut up.”
He nudged me with his shoulder. “I know you’re worried, Finn, and I understand why. But from an outsider’s point of view, can I just say that you two are great together. I’m not saying you’re perfect and don’t argue.” He laughed, and I had to grin, because yeah, we’d had a fewminordisagreements. “But you always talk things out together. There’s no sulking or pettiness, and I think that’s the sign of a good relationship.”
