Page 179 of Raw Notes, Rough Nights

Max smirked. “Come on. We’ve got some drinking to do.” Then he smiled. “Andyou’vegot a gorgeous man waiting foryou.” As he headed out the door, he said, “If you need any pointers…”

“I won’t be asking you,” I finished. “Hey, Max?”

He paused at the threshold. “Yeah?”

“If you ever need me, you only have to ask.”

Max smiled. “Careful. One of these days I might hold you to that.”

Cameron

I let the laughter and the chatter wash over me. Everyone appeared to be in a good mood, and I wondered whether that was in part due to Theo.

I think he surprised them all.

Theo sat next to me, his fingers laced with mine, watching the shenanigans and smiling.

I could get used to this.

Theo was calm, seemingly at ease in his own skin. It was then I realised that for all the years I’d known him, I’d never seen him like this.

“What’s going through your mind?”

I chuckled. “You, actually.” I squeezed his hand. “I was just thinking about how much you’ve changed.” I smiled. “And how much I love this version of you.”

“That’s good.” His eyes twinkled. “Because this version of me loves you just as much.”

“There’s something I’d like you to do for me.”

Theo stilled. “The last time you said that, I ended up—” He grinned. “Loving every minute of it.”

I laughed. “This might be more of a challenge for you.”

He arched his eyebrows. “Now I’m intrigued. What do you want?”

I leaned in close. “For you to take me home, take me to bed, and make love to me.”

Theo frowned. “Why would that be a challenge?”

I smiled. “Because I want you to sing me my song while you do it.”

He laughed. “That might take some doing. Sounds like rubbing your stomach and patting your head at the same time.”

“Yeah, that’s the idea.” I gave him an innocent stare. “You might even need three or four attempts to achieve it.”

“Oh, at least.” His tone was almost serious.

“I loved it, you know. Every word of it.” I looked him in the eye. “It was raw, honest, and so beautiful. And one of these days, I might write a song for you.”

Theo caught his breath. “I’d love that.”

“I already have a couple of lines written.” My heart pounded.

Theo stared at me open-mouthed. “How do they go?”

I took a deep breath and let them out, the others falling silent as my voice pierced through their chatter.

All I know is the rhythm when you breathe beside me.