Chapter 27
Three months later…
“ C ome on, Nate. We’re going to be late,” Troy yelled up the stairs.
Nathan put the finishing touches on his hair and walked down the stairs. “I’m coming!”
Troy stood by Erik’s front door, arms folded across his chest. He rolled his eyes at Nathan. “You already bagged the dude. Why are you fussing over your hair now?”
He scowled at Troy. “That’s not why, and you know it.”
Troy opened the door for Nathan and motioned for Nathan to precede him. “Is Erik going to be there later?”
“Yeah. He had a meeting he couldn’t get out of. Besides, the ceremony doesn’t start until one, so there’s plenty of time.”
It had been three months since the hospital. Two months of twice weekly physical therapy sessions had taken place, and Nathan had spent those months getting to know Erik better and completing his degree. He’d only had a couple more months to get through, really, and didn’t see the point in not finishing. Nathan had spent a better part of the three months thinking about Erik’s words in the hospital. Maybe he wouldn’t rush into a job in business. He wanted to take some time for himself to discover what he truly wanted to do with the rest of his life.
“Come on,” Troy nagged. “Let’s go already!”
Nathan grabbed his backpack from the front entrance, slinging it over his shoulder. He’d dressed in slacks and a button-down collared shirt Erik had helped him pick out for the ceremony. He’d stayed with Erik after being released from the hospital because he couldn’t easily navigate the stairs of his apartment. It wasn’t too long after that when Erik had asked him to move in with him. Nathan hadn’t known if they were moving too fast, but he’d said yes immediately. Even before the incident with Matthew, he’d spent most of his time at Erik’s anyway.
“We have hours before the ceremony! Why are you freaking out?” Nathan closed and locked the front door.
“Karen is going to be there,” Troy tossed over his shoulder.
Nathan grinned while taking the porch steps down to the walkway. Troy had met Karen when he’d taken Nathan to his P.T. session. She’d been in a car accident where she’d broken her arm in three places. From the moment he’d seen her, Troy had spent every minute flirting with her, texting with her, or over at her dorm room. Turns out Karen went to the same school but was a year below the two of them. “She’s not going to disappear just because we’re graduating, Troy.”
“She has to go back home for the summer, Nate. I don’t want to miss my chance to say goodbye.” Troy climbed into his car and started the engine before Nathan had even opened his door.
Laughing, Nathan shook his head and tossed his book bag at his feet before buckling his seat belt. Troy barely waited for Nathan to close his door. Maybe Karen would tame his playboy ways. Nathan just wanted Troy to be happy. She was a super sweet girl with shoulder-length red hair, pale skin, and big green eyes, and she was much shorter than both of them.
Nathan rolled down his window, letting the summer air into the vehicle while hanging his arm on the door. It took some time, but Nathan had finally become confident that his ability to see ghosts was gone. He hadn’t encountered one since seeing Alan in the space between life and death. At least, he assumed that’s what it was.
When they reached campus, Nathan separated from Troy to visit his counselor and say goodbye to a few of his professors. A new chapter of his life was beginning, and Nathan didn’t have a clue what he intended to do after today. Erik continued to encourage him to work on his music while Nathan still worked at the music store. Maybe Nathan would see where his music could take him. He’d seen a flyer at the café where a band was holding auditions for a new guitarist. The idea of trying out had been niggling at him from the back of his mind for days. He hadn’t told Erik about the opportunity, but he felt pretty confident Erik would encourage him to go for it.
The morning went by fast. Nerves settled in the closer it got to the graduation ceremony. Nathan picked up his cap and gown from the assigned room, then met Troy by the doors leading out to where the ceremony would be. Hands shaking, unable to believe he’d finished his degree, Nathan tugged on the gown and put on the cap.
“Relax, Nate,” Troy said, bumping him with his shoulder. “This is the easy part.”
He gave a small smile and dragged in a deep breath. Before he was ready, they were heading outside to the designated seats for the graduates. Nathan caught sight of Erik and his aunts. They waved and grinned in excitement. He returned their waves, but nervous energy still kept him from being able to truly smile.
During the ceremony, Nathan kept fidgeting. It wasn’t until they called his name and he was up on the stage accepting his diploma that the nerves dissipated, and he couldn’t stop smiling, tears threatening. He’d done it. He’d gotten through some of the worst years of his life and come out the other end in one piece.
His aunts and Erik met him after everything concluded, hugging the hell out of him and exclaiming over him.
“We are so proud of you, Nate!” Becky said, kissing his cheek.
“I knew you could do it,” Jessica said, hugging him so tight Nathan struggled to breathe for a second.
Erik laid a kiss on him so passionately, Nathan panted afterward. “I’m so proud of you, angel.”
Nathan couldn’t stop the blush rising over his face. He pressed a hand to one cheek. “Thanks, everyone.”
Troy came up then and grabbed hold of Nathan in a giant bear hug. “We did it, bro!”
“I couldn’t have done it without you, Troy,” Nathan murmured. He owed Troy so much. He had been there for him every step of the way after the accident.
“You’re my brother from another mother, Nate. I wouldn’t have missed a single second of our friendship.” Troy hugged him tighter, slapped him on the back, and then released him. Nathan’s aunts also congratulated Troy, giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Neither of Troy’s parents could make the ceremony due to his mother having a cruise scheduled for the week of graduation and his father was laid up in bed, having put his back out trying to do way too much on his own. Troy had missed a couple of the last days of school in order to help his dad out until he could arrange for a nurse to come in. He’d been disappointed his dad couldn’t be there, but Troy knew it was unavoidable.
“Celebratory dinner!” Becky said, her hazel eyes sparkling.
“Actually, I planned on having everyone back to our house for food and drinks,” Erik said. “My assistant is setting it up as we speak.”
“That’s too much trouble!” Nathan protested.
“Haven’t you learned by now, angel? Nothing is too much trouble for you.” Erik slid his arm around Nathan’s shoulders. “You deserve to be celebrated, Nate. What you accomplished is no easy feat. Especially with everything you’ve been through.”
Nathan flushed again, and he pressed his face to the side of Erik’s chest. Everyone planned on meeting back at Erik’s house and dispersed to their vehicles. Nathan and Erik rode in comfortable silence, with Erik holding his hand the entire way, as always. Nathan could barely wrap his head around how much had changed in his life in such a brief span of time. The more he thought about everything, the more he realized just how paralyzed he’d been since the car accident. He hadn’t been living. He’d been surviving.
“Everything okay, angel?” Erik asked, interrupting his thoughts.
Rolling his head along the seat until he faced Erik, Nathan smiled. “Everything’s great, babe.”
Erik squeezed his fingers gently. “I really am so proud of you, Nate.”
“I saw a flyer on the bulletin board in the café about a band looking for a guitarist. I was thinking about auditioning,” Nathan said.
“That’s great, angel! You definitely should! I know you’ll blow them away.”
“You think so?” Nathan asked.
“No doubt in my mind, baby,” Erik replied. He pulled the truck into his driveway and turned off the engine before facing Nathan. “You have such a special gift for music, Nate. You need to share it with the world.”
Biting his lip, Nathan dropped his gaze to his lap, still uncertain about pursuing something in an industry where many people never make it. “What if I fail?”
Erik reached out and cupped Nathan’s cheek, urging him to look up. “You won’t. Even if nothing comes of it, I’ll be here. I just want you to be happy. When you’re on that platform at the café, you come to life. You deserve the chance to chase your dream.”
Nathan gave Erik a trembling smile. “I love you. So much.”
“I love you, too, angel.” Erik leaned over the center console and pressed a gentle kiss to Nathan’s lips. “Let’s get inside and get this party started.”
Erik winked at him before opening his door to climb out. Nathan followed Erik into the house, only to stop just inside the front door. A huge “Congratulations” banner lined one wall and trays of food cluttered the dining room table. “Why so much food?” Nathan asked.
“I invited some of my people as well,” Erik replied. “I want to show off my recent college graduate.”
Over the past three months, Nathan had met several of Erik’s employees more than once. He interacted with Thomas the most since they both loved music, and they had gotten into a verbal debate every time about which band had a better guitarist. “You didn’t have to do all of this,” Nathan said, uncomfortable with Erik spending so much money on him.
Erik kissed Nathan’s temple. “Of course I did, angel. Relax. It’s your day.”
Nathan would have argued further, but people started arriving. He didn’t want to embarrass Erik in front of his friends and employees, so he kept his mouth shut. The party was in full swing before too long, and Nathan eventually relaxed. He ate a few bites of the various appetizers, talked to everyone, and thanked them all for being there. Some had brought gifts, while others handed him a card with either money or a gift card inside. Nathan spent a good portion of the time debating with Thomas yet again about the best guitarist of all time.
The party went on until late in the evening before people started trickling out of Erik’s home. Nathan said goodbye to his aunts and Troy. Becca, Erik’s assistant, was the last person to leave after making sure everything was put away or cleaned up—with his and Erik’s help.
Nathan collapsed on the couch, exhausted. Erik sat next to him and tugged him against his side. “You continue to astound me, Nate.”
“What? Why?” Nathan asked, frowning.
“You really don’t know how amazing you are.” Erik trailed the tips of his fingers along Nathan’s arm. “You’re beautiful, smart, talented, and so many other things which take my breath away.”
Shifting in discomfort, Nathan shook his head. “I’m not all that.”
“Oh, but you are, my angel.” Erik nuzzled the side of Nathan’s neck. “No matter what you believe of yourself, I will always see you for who you are.”
Nathan shivered at the light rasp of Erik’s five o’clock shadow on his sensitive skin. He tilted his head, granting Erik further access, almost moaning when Erik’s lips skimmed along the same trail. Nathan settled one hand on Erik’s chest, feeling the movement of muscles under his palm. Despite being together for four months and the number of times they’d made love, Nathan still blushed whenever Erik initiated anything intimate between them. “Er-Erik,” Nathan muttered, biting his lower lip.
Erik’s tongue lashed over Nathan’s skin next, and Nathan groaned, his cock hardening. Nathan slid his hand along Erik’s nape to tangle in the dark locks, holding on tight. Erik suckled at the skin while pushing underneath Nathan’s shirt to settle against the softness of Nathan’s belly. The warmth and roughness of Erik’s palm sent electricity straight into Nathan’s groin.
Erik aligned their mouths and took Nathan’s in a tender kiss. Without hesitation, Nathan opened to Erik’s probing tongue, eagerly sucking on the pink muscle. “Touch me,” Erik growled.
Nathan moved until he straddled Erik’s lap, instantly capturing his lips again while working frantically to unbutton Erik’s shirt. He ran his hands over Erik’s chest and shoulders. Erik leaned forward enough to allow the shirt to fall behind him and from his wrists before cupping Nathan’s ass, drawing him tighter to him. The sound of their breathing seemed loud to Nathan in the living room. The only noise louder was Nathan’s heartbeat. He couldn’t prevent his heart from racing with excitement and passion. Nathan ground against Erik’s hard cock, still trapped in his pants.
In the next instance, Nathan found himself airborne as Erik rose from the couch and carried him upstairs to their bedroom. Erik laid him down on the bed gently, almost reverently. He stripped away Nathan’s clothing, leaving him naked, his shaft leaking profusely onto his stomach. A gasp wrenched from Nathan when Erik leaned down to lap at the small puddle and over the flared tip. Erik trailed the tip of his tongue down the length of his cock. But he didn’t stop there—Erik continued down, bathing the sac beneath.
Nathan instinctively raised his legs, gripping the backs of his knees with his hands to hold them up and open himself to Erik. The flick of Erik’s tongue over his hole brought a moan bubbling forth from Nathan. “Erik,” Nathan panted.
“Love the way you taste, angel.” Erik slid his hands beneath Nathan’s ass, holding him steady for an onslaught of licking and probing. Nathan writhed, head tossing back and forth at the pleasure swamping him the longer Erik feasted on him. His back arched from the mattress when Erik punched through, darting in to taste him. A finger breached the same muscle, adding even more to the overwhelming sensations racing through him. Erik thrust his finger in and out several times before adding a second one, scissoring them gently to stretch him wider.
Erik pulled away to reach for the lube sitting on the nightstand. Nathan watched with heavy-lidded eyes as Erik doused his fingers and his cock to prepare himself. Erik had gotten tested, wanting to take their relationship to the next level, and they’d gone without a condom ever since. A shudder raced through Nathan, knowing Erik would be inside of him soon, skin to skin.
Those fingers worked back inside of Nathan, scattering his thoughts and pushing the heat inside of him higher. “I need you,” Nathan rasped.
“I’m here, angel,” Erik said, pulling his fingers free and lining up his cock with Nathan’s entrance. He worked his way in, carefully, taking cues from Nathan’s expression. Nathan just wanted Erik inside him. He wrapped his legs around Erik’s waist, his heels pressing against Erik’s buttocks, and pulled him forward at the same time as thrusting upward. Nathan cried out, fingers clenching in the sheets again, when Erik slid balls deep into him. “Nate,” Erik chastised without heat, not moving a single inch.
“It doesn’t hurt,” Nathan said, reaching up to grip Erik’s biceps. “I’m okay. Please… move.”
Erik leaned in to kiss him while starting a slow undulation of his hips, retreating slightly before thrusting inside of him. Nathan wrapped his arms around Erik’s neck, holding on tight as the various sensations dragged him under. Their breathing became harsh, rasping into the silence of the bedroom. Sweat built over their skin, easing the friction between their limbs.
Tossing his head against the pillow, Nathan couldn’t stop the small moans and cries he let forth. Movements became faster, pushing them closer toward the precipice they strove for. Erik broke away from him to sit back far enough to watch where they were joined. Need and lust glittered from Erik’s hazel eyes, his face grimacing with pleasure. “Look, angel,” Erik rasped. “Look at the way you stretch around me.”
Nathan dropped his gaze to watch Erik’s cock sliding in and out of him, his own weeping against his stomach. Biting his lip, Nathan slid two fingers along the outside of his entrance, feeling the hot flesh of Erik’s length on each drive into him. “I can’t get enough of you,” Erik growled, giving a hard thrust. “You’re under my skin, in my heart.”
Erik fell onto him again, increasing the intensity of his movements. Nathan wrapped his legs once more around Erik’s waist. “I love you, Nate.”
Shattering, Nathan cried out as his seed spilled between them. Erik followed him, giving a guttural moan, his face buried against the side of Nathan’s throat. Nathan felt each hard pulse of Erik’s shaft, the slick feeling increasing as Erik continued with tiny ripples of his hips. Finally, Erik stilled completely, his body shaking with the heavy breaths he took.
Nathan gasped to fill his lungs, running his palms over Erik’s broad, muscular back. “I love you, too,” he whispered.
A shudder racked Erik before he lifted away enough to stare down into Nathan’s eyes. He smiled gently, running his thumb along Nathan’s cheekbone in a light caress. “I wish I could find the person who stole the CDs from my truck to thank them. I can’t imagine my life without you in it, angel.”
Nathan cupped the back of Erik’s hand, leaning into Erik’s touch. “You brought me back to life,” he murmured, not breaking eye contact. He wanted Erik to know everything in his heart. “I don’t know what my life would be like if we hadn’t met, but I never want to find out.”
A hiss issued from Erik as he slipped free of Nathan’s body to climb off the bed and grab a cloth to clean them up. Afterward, Erik returned to bed, gathering Nathan close to him. “Tomorrow, you need to call the number on that flyer,” Erik said, trailing his fingers lightly over Nathan’s back.
“I will,” Nathan said, smiling against Erik’s chest.
“Good,” Erik said before yawning. “Good night, sweet angel.”
“Good night,” Nathan murmured. The smile lessened but didn’t fully go away. He lay there in the dark, listening to Erik’s breathing. Nothing he’d gone through over the last six years had prepared him for Erik. He still felt he didn’t deserve the amazing, sweet, mature man holding him while he slept, but he sure as hell wasn’t letting him go. The guilt over his parents’ deaths had lessened, but Nathan didn’t know if it would ever truly fade away completely. He hoped they were happy and safe wherever spirits went after they crossed over.
Erik mumbled in his sleep and tightened his hold on Nathan briefly. Snuggling closer, Nathan smiled again and closed his eyes. For the first time in a very long time, Nathan looked forward to the future without fear or regret. He’d spent six years frozen in place, never really changing or moving, but now he wanted to rush toward whatever came his way. As long as he had Erik by his side, that was all that mattered.