Chapter 1 – James #2
James had tried to argue, not wanting to impose or get in the way, but Howard and Linda had grabbed onto the idea, and before he knew it, Howard had cashed in a shockingly large number of points to book them a suite.
He had offered to pay for Leon to go as well, but it only took a quick text to confirm that Leon would much prefer to “Keep my feet on solid fucking ground, where they belong.”
So, here he was, dragging their luggage across the deck and down the impressively opulent hallway to their suite.
Thankfully, they had been able to check their larger bags, which would arrive at their room sometime after dinner that evening.
In the meantime, they all wanted access to their swimwear, medicine, and toiletries, so they’d opted to bring their smaller bags themselves.
Themselves, meaning on James’ back.
“Here we are!” Howard said, throwing open the door to a small but well-outfitted living area, with a balcony looking out at the ocean. It had that smell that beach houses got, like warm summer evenings and well-loved wicker.
“Oh, how beautiful!” his mom said, clapping her hands together before turning to James for his reaction.
Given that he had gotten less than three hours of sleep and had completely lost feeling in his left hand, he was rather proud of the smile he managed. “It looks great.”
“It is a tad on the small size,” Howard said, casting Linda a similarly searching look.
“Quite cozy. It will be perfect for when we want to take a break from the sun, and the couch looks big enough for us to watch our shows together at night. Great find, dear.”
Howard puffed up like a prized peacock, and James scooted—as much as he could scoot with four pieces of luggage—past him and towards the larger of the two bedrooms. “I’ll just set your things down in here, and then I might lie down for a bit.”
His phone buzzed in his pocket with the pattern he’d set for Leon back when they were still just friends, and James was in complete and total denial that he was falling for his former nemesis-turned-crush.
If he had a free hand, he would have reached for it, but as it was, all he could do was drag their bags into the room.
“Will you be joining us for dinner?” James’ mom asked, trailing behind him.
“As long as I wake up in time, sure,” James said absently, as he placed the duffel and backpack on the window ledge and hefted his mom’s suitcase onto the small luggage rack in the corner.
His mom was unusually silent behind him, and his phone buzzed a second time, but he ignored both of those things to make sure his mom would have enough space to navigate around the corner of the bed to get to her bag.
It was a tight squeeze, so he pushed, shoved, and manhandled the rack and suitcase until they were turned at an angle against the wall and would be easier for her to get into.
The setup would also give Howard and Linda more space to access their luggage.
His phone buzzed a third time, which could either mean a third message or just a reminder about one of the first two. He reached for his pocket as he turned around, but dropped his hand to his side when he saw his mom’s expression.
Her eyebrows were pinched together in a way they shouldn’t be on vacation, and her lips were set in a serious line. “It would be nice to all sit down together tonight, if you’re up for it.”
Alarm bells went off in James’ head, but when his phone vibrated a fourth time, his Leon alarm bells rang just a little bit louder.
“I’ll make sure to be there, then,” he said.
His mom raised a steady hand and placed it against his cheek. “I’m really glad you’re here, James. It will be wonderful getting to spend so much time with you.”
A ball of guilt, equipped with spikes and barbs, settled in James’ stomach. He had spent almost every evening the past week at Leon’s place and had even missed his Saturday lunch with his mom to go to a Rainbow Bean fundraiser with Leon and Aspen.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been—”
His mom patted his cheek, a little harder this time. “Go get some rest, honey, and remember to dress ‘cruise casual,’ whatever the heck that means.”
James couldn’t help but smile, and his mom tweaked his dimple before leading the way back into the living room. With a quick nod to Linda and Howard, he was able to escape into his room, and after shutting the door, he threw himself onto the bed and finally checked his phone.
Leon
Did you get onto the ship okay?
You could have woken me up to say goodbye, but I do appreciate the extra sleep, especially since Yarmen was making a fucking racket all morning.
He says hi, by the way.
He misses you already, because he’s a sap.
Before James could respond, the typing bubbles appeared, and a fifth text came through.
Leon
Which I guess means I’m also a fucking sap, because I miss you, too.
James thumbs-up reacted to the first message, laughing-crying emoji-ed the second, and hearted the rest.
James
I miss you and Yarmen, too. We just got to the suite. It’s nice, but I think I’m going to take a nap for a bit.
He debated telling Leon about his weird conversation with his mom, not wanting to accidentally pass any of his own anxiety onto Leon, but that was what boyfriends were for, right?
Even when said boyfriend was acting a little clingier than usual, and alarm bells were still blaring in James’ aching head.
James: Mom really wants me to be up in time for dinner. It sounds like she wants to talk about something, or…I don’t know. Either way, I’m going to put my phone on do not disturb, but you can call me if you need anything, and it will come through.
James had programmed Leon’s number to ring through his do not disturb, after he’d missed Leon’s first post-nightmare call. Even just thinking about waking up to three missed calls from Leon had that spiky ball growing in his belly.
Leon
Get some rest. Yarmen and I will be fine.
Love you.
James smiled to himself, and right as he reached for the button on the side of his phone, another text popped up.
Leon: Jesus, Yarmen just tried to sit on my face, so I guess he wants me to tell you he loves you, too.
The pain in James’ stomach disappeared, replaced by the glowing warmth he’d come to associate with his boyfriend.
James
Love you both, too. Have fun with Aspen this afternoon.
With that, James buried his face in his pillow and promptly fell asleep.