by Skylar Heart
“Hey!” Mal glares, still grinning. “I was talking about Jake, Dylan and me. We can definitely share.”
Both Dylan and I shake our heads.
“No way in hell.” I glare at him. “You can wear my stuff, but I don’t think the lab would be happy if I wore your shirts.”
“Same here.” Dylan smirks. “The school isn’t that happy with teachers who wear weird metal band shirts, not professional enough.”
Mia reaches past me, putting her hand on Mal’s arm. “I’ll wear your shirts. They’re great when I’m just hanging around the house.”
Mal lets out a grumble. “Now you’re just teasing me.”
“Maybe.” Mia laughs. “But you kind of deserved it.”
Mal shrugs, putting his head on my shoulder. “Help me, my protector, they’re being mean.”
I put my head against his. “Pretty sure you set it up yourself.” Then I get up, grabbing for my pack of cigarettes. “I’ll be right back.” I’m happy, but that doesn’t take away any of these cravings...
Mal also gets up. “Me too.”
I pull my jacket over my shoulders as I step outside, into the cold. Fucking hell, we’re going to have to look for a way not to freeze to death if we want to keep smoking outside in the coming months...
But we can think of things like that now, because we will actually be able to build something to last. The house is ours now, this is ours. We really live here, so we can do what we need to do to make it the way we want it to be.
Our own house. I never expected to actually own a house, I always expected to be renting a place, but to own a house, that’s a freedom I never even considered. Wow.
Mia looks around my studio, like she sees it for the first time even though I’ve lived here for years and she’s been here many times.
I go through the shelves of my cupboards, putting a couple of things in a box, things that we can still use and that aren’t out of date yet. “What are you staring at?” Because she still hasn’t moved.
“I’d forgotten how small this place really is.” Her voice is soft. “It’s bigger in my memories, somehow.”
I laugh. “Probably because we weren’t used to big houses back then.” I quickly put a couple of bags of coffee in the box which I’d apparently still had stocked, and the filters with them. We can use those, free stock!
When she speaks again, she’s closer, almost making me jump as I didn’t hear her move. “No, I don’t think that’s it.”
I turn around, and she’s leaning against the small table I use to put extra things on that I need in the kitchen that don’t fit on my tiny counters.
“I think it’s because we were smaller, living smaller, mentally. Our world wasn’t big and open, but small and ‘city-sized’.” Her voice is a little dreamy, like she’s still mulling over her thoughts.
I frown at her, stepping closer. “Now you’re starting to confuse me.”
She laughs, a happy and full sound, and then reaches out to me, pulling me closer. “Back when you moved in here, it looked sizable, pretty damn sizable. But back then, I think we didn’t have any big dreams, big plans. We were living, surviving, but never dreaming of anything beyond our own small world. Now, we do. Our dreams, minds and hearts have grown.”
I give her a kiss on her forehead, smiling. “You’re still confusing me, but it sounds like it should make sense. They’re pretty words. Just, I think I’m not literary enough to understand them.” Then I step back. “I need to get to the lab, but you can pack some of the things here that we’ll definitely need to take with us today, like food and maybe have a look at the towels, your grandma’s ones are ready to be replaced and you know that mine are big, unlike most things in the apartment. And if you feel like it, you can pick up your own things at your parents’ place too.”
Which is only a short walk from here. I never really went very far away from the place I’d always lived, until now. I’d always stayed fairly close to home, to where my life began. It was always Mia who went far away, I’ve always been a home-boy, or a city-boy, as the guys like to remind me.
She lets out a long breath, smiling. “All practical, so much like you. No sneaky fun things to do, misbehave a little, now we still can. Before we have to be adult-adults.”
I shake my head, grinning at the sparkle in her eyes. “Nah. I just don’t want to get too distracted by the cute girl in my kitchen and be late for work. Let me know where you’ll be during lunchtime and we can have lunch together.” I give her a kiss.
It really is really tempting to undress her, drag her the short distance to my bed and have my way with her, like I’ve dreamt of doing for years. Like I dreamt of, but never had the chance of doing. And now I’ve got the chance, I turn it down because I know that I don’t have to desperately hold onto moments like this. Because I can make her come over and over again, in my arms, and take my sweet time doing it, later. When we’re home. When we’re home-home.
“Maybe before we go home, later.” Her voice is low, almost hoarse, making my dick hard as steel. Tempting, very tempting.
“Home, yes. We’ll talk about those plans of yours when we get home.” I swallow hard.
Fucking hell. We should have left earlier, maybe then we would have had time for some fun together. But I’d already underestimated the traffic coming into the city, and now I’m really pushing it for time. I pull my mind away from the sexy place and step closer.
“See you later.” My voice is all rough. Yeah, I’m definitely turned on and the look in her eyes tells me that she knows it too. “I love you.” I give her one final kiss before I grab my bag.
“I love you too. Have fun at the lab.” She gives me a quick wave, her cheeks a little red, her eyes wide as she licks her lips.
Before I can change my mind, I leave my studio and walk down the stairs of the building I’ve lived in for so long, for one of the last times...
As I walk down the street, through my old and familiar neighbourhood, I guess I understand what Mia was talking about when she talked about thinking small and big.
As I look around, looking at everything that was my world for so long, I see it in a different light. The slightly cracked street, the holes in it never fixed in the years I’ve lived here. The old and dented cars, never brand new ones because nobody here can afford it, and the extra price isn’t worth it when it ends up all scratched in a few weeks anyway. The little shop on the corner, always out of sugar and cigarettes and the veggies never looking as fresh as you’d like them to be.
It feels different not just because I’m different, but because the way that I look at things has changed. I never knew any better, this has always been my world. But now I do know better, now I know there’s more out there.
The drab buildings lining the street feel even more drab than before, now I’ve gotten used to the trees and fields at the coast. Nothing has changed, and everything has changed, at the same time.
Walking to the underground station, I feel different, because Mia was right. For years, I didn’t see a future for myself, not a real one anyway. I was surviving, not living. But now we’ve got the whole world at our feet and we can do anything we want, anything we like.
It’s like I was sleepwalking and now I’ve finally woke up. Now I’ve finally opened my eyes and can see beyond the darkness. And the world is a much better place than I always thought it was.
If I hadn’t rushed after Mia, all those weeks back, worried about her, seriously worried about her health, how she was feeling, I would never have ended up where I am now.
Because I impulsively tried to make sure Mia was okay, filled with worry, I found not just her, but a group of guys who have made the world a much better place to live in.
I never want to let go of that, ever, because happiness is such a fleeting thing, and when you can get hold of it, you don’t let go, ever!
This evening, Mia and I will be going home. To our home, our family. To the people we love.
Home.
Four Months Later
10
Mia
My heart is beating in my throat, my hand shaking a little, as I put my signature on the paper in front of me. I’m the last of us to sign, the guys have already gone before me, and after me are just my parents left. I watch on as they sign too, Dad finally putting the pen down with an audible thud.
The house is now officially ours. We’ve been living in it for months, and it’s definitely ‘our’ house by now, with everything we’ve done on it, but with this piece of paper, these signatures, it’s now also ours by law and that’s a different experience.
I hug Mum and then Dad, my cheeks hurting from smiling so much and my heart won’t quiet down.
“Congratulations.” Dad grins. “Now you get to do all the ‘responsible homeowner’ things.”
“Thanks.” I laugh. “I think that’ll be fine.”
I look back at my men. They’re all dressed up well, wearing new jeans and even button-ups, no t-shirt in sight this time. They look so grownup that I keep grinning just watching them, butterflies in my stomach. Such a difference from what they normally look like. But this is amazing too, because it’s a side of them that I don’t see very often and it warms my heart.
Jake grins at me, reaching out and I step into his embrace. “I think it’s time to get home and get the party started.” His voice is loving, comfortable, and way too sexy.
I nod, not trusting my voice at the moment, I’m still too wound up.
Now the official stuff is over, we’re going to have a party back at the home. Our home, back at our home.
Everybody’s parents are coming over and even some people from the town. We wanted a real ‘housewarming’ party to celebrate all of us living together, but also because we wanted to be more open about it, not hiding it anymore, hopefully stopping the last few people grumbling about our unconventional situation.
But, mostly, we wanted a party because the weather is amazing and today is a happy day for all of us. We wanted to celebrate that the winter is done and spring is finally here, bringing with it a new year and many new and amazing experiences waiting for us, all of us together.
“Let’s get back to the house.” I raise my voice a little. “There’s cake and snacks and other things to eat and drink. And I don’t think we can get through all of it on our own.”
Mal laughs. “I think I could try.”
“Yeah...” Dylan wraps an arm around Mal. “Let’s not do that. I remember the last time you said that... I had to clean your puke out of my kitchen while you were hanging over the toilet for hours.”
“That was then...” Mal also wraps his arm around Dylan. “That’s a long time ago.”
“It was last summer,” Dylan deadpans.
“Ah.” Mal’s eyes go wide, comically. “I’d forgotten about that time... Yikes. That was bad. I couldn’t eat sour candy for months after that...”
We all laugh, the mood happy and upbeat. This is a great day, a really great day, only made better by the people I get to spend it with.
I quickly lift Elly up, she was trying to grab a piece of the cake even though she’s definitely had enough of it. A family trait, perhaps?
“Nope, little girl. Let’s get you something to drink before you eat more sugar.” And maybe something else to eat too... She’s going to be a hell to get to sleep later.
The house is busy with people from the party, since apparently, we’re all a lively bunch and that includes our families. But even though it’s loud and hectic, I’m grateful that everyone is so happy together.
When I came here back in October, I was on the run from a life I knew I didn’t want, but I’d never expected that I’d find the life of my dreams here, with the men who meant so much to me when I was younger. What I really didn’t expect is how our families have accepted us even though it took them a while. Now they get along well, and even my parents and Jake’s parents have been accepted by the families of the other guys.
Tom slides his arms around me, letting out a low laugh which rumbles in his chest. “How are my two favourite ladies doing?”
I laugh as I turn around in his embrace, Elly between us. “I think we may need to keep a closer eye on how much sugar she’s eating, if we want to sleep tonight, or if you’d like your parents to sleep tonight.”
He laughs more, taking Elly in his arms. “Have you had too much sugar?” He looks at his girl, making my heart melt at the soft look in his eyes, and she shakes her head vehemently, grinning wide.
“Can I have more cake?” She’s putting on her sweetest voice, but he doesn’t fall for it.
“No, you can not. But you can join Jake and me in showing off the garden to Jake’s parents. Does that sound like a plan?”
She thinks it over for a moment and then nods, grinning. She’s definitely on a sugar high right now. “Show the garden.” Elly wriggles in his arms and he puts her on the floor. She immediately goes over to Jake and starts pulling him to the back door.
Jake glances our way, looking a little confused, but he still follows her.
Then Tom steps closer again. “Are you good?”
I nod, giving him a quick kiss. “I’m fine. Today was a good day and everyone seems to be happy, so I’m happy with that too.”
“Good.” He grins and kisses my cheek. “I’ll be back, after I’ve saved Jake and his parents from Elly’s rambling.” And he walks off, allowing me to take a good look at how his ass fills out his jeans. Hmmm. I feel lucky... Very, very lucky.
Then I turn to the table and grab a cookie, nibbling on it as I go over to the window to watch Tom, Elly, Jake and his parents in the garden.
After Jake and I had our talk on the beach, revealing how we’d been trying to hide our pain from each other, we’ve talked more and I feel so much better now that it’s all out in the open. Oliver and his parents will come by the house next week, for the first time. We’ve told Oliver about our new living situation and he seemed really excited about the fact we live so close to the beach, which seemed to be the main thing he took away from it all. Then, with his parents, we decided it was probably a good idea if they came here, just to see everything and to give Oliver the idea that we’re not shutting him out or anything, that we’re not forgetting about him even though we’ve moved away from the city. Plus, well, he was right about the easy access to the beach being awesome.
I sigh and Mum appears next to me, smiling softly.
“What are you all staring off for, and that deep sigh...”
I shake my head. “Nothing really, just trying to wrap my head around my life as it is now.”
She puts her hand on my arm. “I hope it’s a good thing? You looked troubled.”
“It’s good. I promise.” I put my hand over hers. “Just a lot of changes, things to get used to. And it’s still a little strange to think about this all being real. I’ll get used to it at some point, just not yet.”
“You’ve got all the time in the world for that.” She laughs softly. “You’ve got amazing guys at your side, you’ll be fine.”
I nod. “Yeah, they’re amazing.”
I have no idea what would have happened if I hadn’t found them again. I don’t want to dwell on it too long, because anything I can come up with that could have gone differently never leads to a life that is as happy as I feel right now. Sure, we’ve had some rough patches, but overall, it’s been good, very good.
“Mia!” Mal appears behind me. “Come, come.” He pulls on my arm and I laugh as I follow him. There are definitely a lot of similarities between him and his niece, though I’m not sure he’d be that amused with anyone pointing that out to him.
He pulls me to the living room and sits me on the couch, next to Dylan, who looks at me as he shrugs, smiling.
“I was dragged here too.” Dylan leans close, his breath on my neck warm, as Mal connects his computer to the speakers in the room.
Mal shushes as he moves his arms for everyone in the room to quiet down. Then he hit
s play on his laptop and music starts to fill the room.
The song starts with someone playing the guitar, it’s mellow and a little dreamy. Then Mal’s voice joins into it, weaving through the notes, the lyrics recalling love and friendships that are woven together as you grow up. It feels almost sad, even though the tone doesn’t really make it sound like it should feel sad, but there’s an element of reminiscing in it.
I’m almost holding my breath as I listen to the song, tears in my eyes, and I hold Dylan’s hand tightly. Wow.
When the song ends, a new song starts, this one more upbeat, lighter, recalling refound love and sharing happiness with the people around you.
I knew Mal had a good singing voice and that he’d been working on new songs for months. But this is the first time I’m hearing them and they’re amazing, making my heart swell with love and pride.
My guys are awesome and I’m so lucky to have them in my life. I don’t know what I’d have done without them, not in the past and not now. I’m lost without them.
11
Dylan
Mia is holding onto me tightly as Mal plays the songs, and I’m gripping her pretty tightly too. This is obviously Mal’s work, he’s got a very recognisable style, but at the same time, it’s like nothing he’s ever written before. Gone are the raw edges, the screaming, the raging, and instead the songs are filled with love, a grownup love, and a happiness I’ve never heard from him before. I keep staring at the guy, who is nervously looking down at his hands, not daring to face the room, even though he was so excited to share his work with everyone just moments ago.
I reach out to him with my empty arm and pull him into my lap so Mia and I can hold him together. Our guy, our amazing musician, all grown up, grown up and proud of it too, even if he doesn’t know how to show that fully.
After eight songs, the room stays really quiet, until everyone bursts out clapping at the same time and Mal goes all red, his eyes wide.
