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TJ hovered behind him. “You know,” he said, “for a guy who acts like he doesn’t care, you care a lot.”

Miles pulled bubble wrap off a stack of bowls. “About what?”

“Everything being in the right place.” TJ pursed his lips. “This is a big move for you,” he murmured.

Miles didn’t answer right away. He put the bowls on the counter and slid them toward the cabinet that made the most sense to store them in. “It’s just a house.”

“It’s a house you chose,” TJ said. “I know you saw several and this was the one you decided on. I was the same, so I know how important it is to find the right place.” TJ suddenly grinned. “And it just happens to be close to the station.”

Miles stood, put the bowls in the cabinet and shut it. “That isn’t why I bought it.”

“Come on. Cody’s waiting.” TJ stared at Miles. “He’s cooked, too, and we both know how good his cooking is.”

Miles licked his lips. “Mama made sure he knew how to look after himself.” Mama was Cody’s mom, or the person he considered his mom. The woman who had saved Cody one rain-soaked night.

Miles locked the door behind them and followed TJ to Miles’ truck. The air had that warmth that reminded him summer was on the way and Miles couldn’t wait. Winter had been long and cold.

TJ’s place was around ten minutes away. As they drove, he thought about his life here. He knew Robinson and the people who lived there. He’d lived there for over ten years and had no plans to leave. This place was home and where he’d put down roots.

TJ’s house looked warm from the outside with the porch light on and the curtains closed. A window was cracked just enough that he could smell food as he walked up the steps toward the back door TJ and Cody preferred to use.

Cody opened the door before they knocked. “You’re late,” he told them, then he grinned. “How did it go?”

TJ held up both hands. “We’re not late.”

“It went well. We got most of it done.” Miles followed TJ inside and watched him kiss Cody. “Smells good.”

Cody smiled, his hand finding TJ’s. “Chili.”

TJ pointed. “I knew it.”

Miles took his shoes off by the door as TJ did the same. TJ moved to the stove and peered into a pan, rubbing his stomach.

“How’s the house?” Cody asked.

Miles shrugged. “It’s fine.”

Cody nodded. “You got your bed set up?”

“Yeah.” It was the first thing he’d done when he’d began moving his things.

“And you have heat?”

Miles blinked. “Yes.”

“Good. Those are the important things.” Cody’s face shifted, but the look quickly disappeared. “Go and sit at the table and I’ll bring bowls over.”

Miles moved to the table and pulled out a chair. It wasn’t big, but it was solid wood and had a few scratches on it. A stack of mail sat at one end and TJ’s keys were in a dish by the wall. There was a small, framed photo of TJ and Cody on the sideboard, taken outside somewhere sunny. Both of them looked happy and it reminded Miles how Cody had come back to Robinson for TJ. Not for friends or family, but for TJ.

TJ came over with two beers and a water and put one in front of Miles. “I think we’ve earned this.”

Miles picked up the beer. “Thanks.”

TJ sipped his and sighed. “Are you planning to move the rest of your things tomorrow?”

“I have a few more days on the lease for the apartment but I’d like to get the bulk of it done before I’m back at work. I can manage the few bits left before or after my shifts.”

Cody brought the chili out in a pot and put it down in the center of the table with a stack of bowls. “Cornbread’s in the oven,” Cody said. “It’s almost done.”