“And you’re mine,” Skyler told him, smiling because he’d finally managed to do something right.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Now
TREVOR
They’ve been back inL.A. for a week and Trevor hasn’t spent a single night in his own home. It was a relief coming back and seeing proof that the house is still standing, of course. But then after the first evening of unpacking and laundry, he realized there was somewhere else he’d rather be. So he packed up again, got Stella in the car, and drove over to Skyler’s. And he hasn’t left since.
Skyler offered to go stay at Trevor’s place with him. He said they spent all that time in New York in his apartment, and it wasn’t fair to expect Trevor to keep bringing his stuff over to Skyler’s. Said he only needed his guitar and a yoga mat, and he’d be fine anywhere.
But Trevor refused to make him do that. Skyler worked so hard to build this beautiful life for himself. He deserves to have his music room and his yoga room and his infinity pool with the gorgeous view. Plus, more importantly, he has the privacy gate and his security here. It’s not fair to ask Mike or Hal to uproot themselves again to stay in Santa Monica.
So Trevor’s been here in Malibu, and it’s been great. Except now as he’s doing laps in the pool while Skyler works on some music inside, the full extent of what they’re doing is hitting him. They had to share the apartment in New York, but now that they’re back in L.A., things are starting to feel a lot more real.
Have they essentially moved in together?
The thought doesn’t worry him as much as it potentially could. This thing is new between them, but not really. Didn’t they agree they aren’t starting over;they’re just going from here? It’s not like they haven’t lived together before. But they were so young then. It feels bigger somehow, to be fully grown adults with their own lives now and still choosing to spend every day together.
Not wanting to stress about it, he does a few more laps until his legs get tired. Then he dries himself off, secures the towel around his waist, and heads inside to find his man.
As expected, Skyler’s still in the music room, but the door’s wide open so Trevor’s not worried about disturbing him. It occurs to him, as he strolls in while Skyler’s playing and pulls over a stool, that he’s fully comfortable here. He fits easily into Skyler’s home, into his life. And that makes him so fucking happy.
Which, in turn, does scare him a tiny bit.
Because being happy means he has something to lose.
He learned that five years ago.
He waits until Skyler finishes the song and then gives him a smile. “That sounded great.”
“Thanks.” Skyler smiles back at him, dimples peeking out. “Did you have a good swim?”
“Mm-hmm. My arms are like jelly though.”
Skyler steps over to his audio mixer and starts playing with a few sounds. “I’ll give you a massage later. I have some oils.”
“Of course you do.” Trevor’s surprised he doesn’t have a private masseuse coming here once a week. Skyler’s always been a sucker for getting rubbed down.
“Don’t sass me, or no happy ending for you,” Skyler teases, green eyes sparkling playfully.
Trevor holds on to his towel and shifts in his seat while Skyler jots something in a notebook. He takes it with him when he sits back down with his guitar. Getting to watch him work feels like a privilege. Trevor has a front row seat to the creation process for the music that will soon be listened to and loved by millions of people all over the world.
His heart swells with pride, and when Skyler shoots him a shy smile, Trevor’s compelled to get up and kiss him.
Skyler doesn’t let him go right away, running his fingers lightly through Trevor’s damp hair. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” He returns to perch on his stool as Skyler strums the opening chords of a song. And everything is sweet and perfect and right. Until, out of nowhere, Trevor’s anxiety gets the best of him, and he blurts out, “It’s okay that I’m here, right?”
Skyler stops playing and gives him a confused look. “You know I don’t mind you listening to me play. If I wanted to keep something private, I would have shut the door.”
“No.” He shakes his head. “I mean here in your house. Staying here. Is it weird I haven’t gone home all week?”
“I don’t think so. As long as you want to be here. I know Stella loves her evening walks with Mike.”
That’s true. Stella’s already so used to the new routine that last night she waited at the door at five minutes before six, and then started to whine a few minutes later until Mike knocked on the door to take her for a long walk around the property. Trevor’s not sure which one of them enjoys the walks more.
“I want to be here,” he assures Skyler. “It’s just a little scary how comfortable I’ve gotten, that’s all.”
