“Can you stop calling me that? And are you offering me a sweaty jacket right now?”
“Tch. No! I’m clean, can’t you tell!?”
“Not really, but I suppose I’ll accept this so I don’t have to walk around with a giant chocolate stain.” He removed his shirt, changed into the jacket and zipped it up to the neck, not wanting any eyes on him, especially Harrison’s. “Thanks.”
“Yeah, you’re welcome. Want to get another one of those?”
Reece only felt more depressed when the ruined ice cream was pointed out. He sighed again for the millionth time. “No thanks, I’m good. I’m heading home now. I’ll get the jacket back to you sometime.”
“Do you even have my number—I don’t have yours…”
“Oh, uh… I don’t have a number.” The words were in the air before Reece could think them over. He cringed at himself, backing away from Harrison slowly. How was he supposed to get away with a lie like that?
“You don’t have a—”
“No, gotta go, see you around!” Reece waved quickly, turned on his heel, and walked off as fast as he could without sprinting.
And once he was a safe distance away, Reece did start running, and he didn’t stop until he was walking into Nick’s place.
The only plus when he got back to Nick’s was that Kent was there and cooking something delicious by the smell of it. Reece dropped his keys on the hook by the door, toed off his shoes, and dragged himself toward the kitchen.
“Kenny, today was the worst,” he groaned, face set in a pout as he stepped into the kitchen, hugging himself since Kent had his hands full kneading some dough on the counter.
“Bad enough for chocolate cake?”
“Bad enough for double chocolate cake,” Reece said, sniffling, and when he did, he got a nose full of Nick. Not Nick’s home or Nick’s things butNickhimself, that rich and golden dark honey scent he loved so much. Reece turned his head, wide eyes falling on Nick, who was seated at the table, arms crossed over the table. Silent and just watching him. Home early.
“Caught an early flight,” Nick explained. Not a hello or any formal greeting, but an “I’m home,”and the reality of him being there hit Reece all at once.
Reece felt weak seeing him there, hands and knees trembling, his lower lip wobbling. “Nicky…”
“Come here.”
He must’ve been dreaming. He’d been having an awful endless nightmare but now that he was close to waking, things were turning around. He’d wake up any second and Nick wouldn’t be there, because he was in L.A., or on his way home, but still out of reach.
But Nick’s hand patting the table before him, beckoning Reece over, was too real to be a dream. The smell of him. Everything. He was home, and Reece was across the kitchen faster than he could comprehend it all, tears soaking his cheeks, heart pounding. Nick had his arms around Reece before Reece could even stop next to him, and then he was in Nick’s lap and all was suddenly right with the world. If it was a dream, Reecehoped he’d never wake up, because he could sit just like that, with Nick, forever.
The last thing Reece wanted to do was cry now that Nick was back and holding him, but his tears just flowed freely like a dam had burst. He’d been struggling for days, but now that Nick was home, Reece was able to let go. And Nick didn’t chide him for crying. Didn’t rush him or say anything the whole time. He just held Reece, rubbed his back soothingly, offering him the shoulder he’d been craving for much too long. That weekend in L.A. together had been little more than a tease—time that only made the remainder of their separation harder. It hadn’t been easy being apart from Nick.
And that, to Reece, was absolutely terrifying.
Reece calmed eventually and mumbled a word of thanks when Nick pressed a tissue to his nose. He’d be humiliated if he got snot on Nick, so he wouldn’t risk checking just to save himself the possible embarrassment. He blew his nose though, and sat up straight to look into those deep blue eyes. They were hauntingly beautiful. Reece was hopelessly in love and hated himself for it.
“I’m sorry… I just had a hard day…” He dabbed his tissue against his nose and sniffed again. “I didn’t mean to cry.”
“You’re pretty when you cry.” Nick shrugged and Reece scoffed, whole body heating up as he held his hand to Nick’s face, covering it as if it might somehow protect himself from Nick’s devilish good looks. Damn him.
“Stop. No teasing.” Reece wouldn’t survive.
“Who’s teasing?” Nick said against Reece’s palm, then kissed it, and Reece pulled his hand away, scrambling off of Nick’s lap with his heart racing.
“I should shower.” He wasn’t ready for Nick to be home—so much waiting, and yet Nick was home and Reece wasn’t prepared.
“You’re already running from me?” Nick stood and Reece turned, taking hurried steps toward the hallway.
“Not running, just dirty! I always shower at this time, ask Kenny!”
Nick was following, strides long, pace matching Reece’s and then closing in on him. It had Reece’s heart skipping a beat, a thrill coursing through him that had him squeaking and bolting down the hallway. Nick was rushing him. He was going to see his bathroom a mess with all of Reece’s products. He’d see Reece’s clothes a mess in the bathroom and know he’d been staying there more than he should…
