“I like him and I wanted him to like me,” Joe said before he could stop himself.
Something shifted in Kaden’s expression—surprise, maybe. Or understanding. For a moment, neither of them moved. Joe lifted his hand, not consciously. Just an instinctive response to their closeness. His fingers hovered near Kaden’s sleeve, close enough to feel warmth through the fabric.If I touch him, I won’t be able to stop wanting more.
Kaden inhaled sharply. His gaze dropped to Joe’s hand. Neither of them closed the distance. Joe let his hand fall. This was not his move to make.
“Night,” Kaden said, quietly.
“Goodnight,” Joe replied.
The door closed between them with a soft click. Joe stood there for a long moment, his chest aching with everything he hadn’t dared say and everything he already felt.
He washed, cleaned his teeth and got into bed naked. Joe felt adrift. He’d got what he wanted, a human body. He’d known it would be difficult to integrate but at times he felt overwhelmed by it all. He missed the intimacy of being inside Kaden. He missed sharing thoughts, emotions, sheer existence. It was hard on his own, even when he was with Kaden, but the thought of him not being in his life was terrifying.
On so many occasions he’d wanted to reach out and touch him. Rub his back, squeeze his hand, lay his fingers on his skin, but he’d resisted because guilt kept surging. He wasn’t sure he should stay if Kaden continued to not remember. How long should he wait?
If Kaden never remembers, would he still choose me?
That was the most important question of all.
The next morning, Joe heard someone going downstairs and emerged from his room to follow, though he knew it wasn’t Kaden.
“Good morning, Charlie.”
Charlie didn’t turn. “Morning. Coffee?”
“Yes, please.” Joe followed him down.
“I thought Afghanistan was mainly a tea-drinking country.”
“It is, but coffee’s increasingly popular, especially with younger people. I’m not fond of the cardamon-infused blend, though.”
He suspected Kaden’s dad had been reading up about Afghanistan, maybe trying to catch him out. Joe knew more than Charlie ever would.
“Did you ask your Year Sixes Kaden’s question about aliens?”
“He told you about that?”
“Yes.”
“The homework is due today so I’ll see what they say. I asked them to draw an alien next to themselves as well. That should be interesting.”
Kaden came bounding down into the kitchen, his hair sticking up. “Morning!”
Joe shot him a shy smile.
“If I drive you to work, can I borrow the car?” Kaden asked.
“Where do you want to go?”
“Walton-on-the-Naze.”
His dad laughed. “Every single time. Fine. Take me in. I need to leave in thirty minutes.”
“We’ll make dinner tonight.”
After they’d dropped off Charlie, Joe moved into the front next to Kaden and fastened his seat belt.
“How far away is it?” Joe asked.
