Chapter Thirteen #2
After discussing their options, they decided to see a movie followed by a trip to the store so they could cook dinner together.
They settled on a simple pasta dish, salads, and French rolls.
Cash and Nick moved so well together in the kitchen that it felt like they’d been doing it for a long time.
Cash’s mind started to wade into the weeds again, trying to figure out the why and how of things that didn’t matter.
Nick’s kiss would always pull him back. They took another long soak in the tub on Saturday night.
Their laughter and conversation echoed through the apartment, turning the space into a home for the first time since Cash had bought it.
“I think I’ll keep the apartment for the times we want to get away,” Cash told Nick the following morning when they headed to his condo.
Nick smiled at him. “Or when we get kicked off the ranch for making too much noise.”
Cash laughed because that was a high probability. “Maybe we could soundproof the bedroom.”
“There’s always that too.”
Nick packed surprisingly little at his condo.
Then again, the place was pretty sparse.
He didn’t have artwork or knickknacks to give the space character.
Bare walls and neutral furniture seemed to be the theme, but Cash knew Nick had more depth than that.
He’d just never attempted to make the condo a real home.
Nick concentrated his efforts on important documents and family photo albums while Cash started packing up his closet.
“I probably won’t need any of the suits,” Nick said.
Cash considered the clothes for a moment and said, “How about a few? You’ll want one for your interview at the police academy.”
“True,” Nick agreed. “Go ahead and pick out a few you like.”
Cash pulled out navy and dove gray suits, white and light blue dress shirts, and ties that complemented them.
He located a garment bag in the closet and placed the items inside.
There was plenty of room for a few more suits, so Cash grabbed two more he’d like to see Nick in.
Afterward, he grabbed belts and dress shoes before turning his attention to the more casual wear.
“Will I find more of my clothes in here?”
“Don’t think so.”
“Sex toys or anything embarrassing?” Cash prodded. When he didn’t get an answer, he stepped out of the closet to find Nick thinking too hard about the question. “Nicky?”
He jerked his head up. “I have just one dildo in my nightstand, and I’m not ashamed of it.”
“Then why did it look like you were thinking hard enough to start a wildfire in your brain?” Cash asked.
Nick rose from the bed and walked into his closet.
Curious, Cash followed him. Nick reached to the top shelf and pulled down a brown wooden box.
“My keepsakes are in here.” He turned the box around and opened it so Cash could see inside.
Then Nick removed the movie ticket stub and bagel-run note from his pocket and added them to the collection.
“I’ve kept every card, note, and receipt from the time we shared together.
” He sorted toward the bottom and pulled out a book of matches from the hotel they’d stayed at in Cabo.
“That trip was heaven and hell,” Cash said. “To be so close to you and…”
“Not be able to touch me like you wanted to?” Nick asked. “No one fills out a pair of swim trunks like you do. God, I wore the skin off my dick.”
Cash flexed his right fist. “Probably why I’ve got arthritis starting in my wrist.”
They shared a laugh and a kiss, then Nick pulled out a beer bottle cap. Cash didn’t drink often, but he loved Mexican beers, and the cap had come from one of his bottles.
“This is from the time we beat those bro dudes in beach volleyball in Miami.”
Cash smiled from the memories, then mimed jerking off again. “Why the hell did we go to destinations where we practically stayed naked the entire trip? Sometimes you wore those skimpy trunks that would slip down your hipbones. Christ, I just wanted to kiss along your tan lines.”
Nick mimed jerking off too. “I’m willing to bet we jacked off together while in separate rooms.”
“Every night before bed so I could sleep,” Cash said.
Nick nodded. “And every morning before we met up for breakfast, so I wouldn’t ruin our friendship with an inconvenient boner.”
Cash captured Nick’s lips in another kiss. “Our next vacation is going to be so different.”
“We won’t leave the hotel,” Nick agreed. “Hell, let’s save the money and just not leave the bedroom at the ranch.”
Cash laughed. “That’s pretty much what the other lovebirds do. Why not us?”
They alternated between packing for their future while exploring the mementos from their past, so the excursion lasted much longer than it should have.
After they hauled Nick’s stuff to the SUV, they stopped for a quick bite to eat before setting out for the ranch.
They kept up steady conversation for most of the drive, but Nick nodded off about three-quarters into the trip.
Cash used the quiet to embrace his joy instead of questioning his good fortune.
There’d been a void in his life that Nick’s friendship alone couldn’t fill.
He wasn’t about to stuff the gap with doubts and negativity.
He wasn’t as spiritual as Hope, but he certainly believed people received from the universe what they put into it. Manifesting, or whatever she called it.
It was just past suppertime when they pulled up to the ranch house.
Cash didn’t know if the crew had gathered in the dining room or if they’d chosen to have low-key dinners in their private quarters.
Not that it mattered if they saw them carting Nick’s belongings into the house.
Cash had no intention of keeping it a secret.
He reached over and squeezed Nick’s thigh.
“We’re home, baby,” he said softly.
Nick murmured something unintelligible and shifted in his seat.
Cash reached up and stroked his fingers over Nick’s scruffy chin.
He’d have a beard in no time at the rate his hair grew.
Cash had never seen him with a lot of facial hair.
Nick would let it grow out during their vacations but had to shave before returning to work.
Cash’s fingers brushed over Nick’s lips when he turned in his direction.
His eyes snapped open, and Cash felt his mouth spread into a smile.
“There you are,” Nick said when Cash dropped his hand.
“Hi, baby.”
Cash unbuckled his seat belt and leaned toward him.
Nick did the same, and their mouths met in the middle.
Cash hadn’t meant to linger with a potential house full of people and a car to unload, but Nick’s warmth drew him in.
He teased Nick’s lower lip with his tongue and eased inside when Nick opened in invitation.
Cash lost track of time and his intentions then.
He slid his hand into Nick’s hair, canted his head, and deepened the kiss.
God, he would never tire of having this privilege. To kiss Nick whenever he wanted to—
A low, sharp whistle pulled the two men apart.
That’s when they noticed every single member of the ranch standing in front of the SUV, wearing various expressions on their faces.
Ivan, Rory, Finley, and Kieran looked incredibly smug.
Harry, Dylan, and Rue practically radiated happiness for them.
Tyler looked like he was seconds away from giggling, and Owen looked envious.
Not because he wanted Cash or Nick but because he was in love with his best friend.
Cash really hoped the two figured it out soon.
He wouldn’t wish twelve years of pining on anyone.
Cash rolled down his window and said, “What the hell are you gawking at? Don’t act like you’ve never seen two people in love.
First, there was Fin and Kieran practically setting the ranch on fire with their smoldering looks until they scratched that itch.
” Several of the crew guffawed, which drew Cash’s attention to them.
“What are you chuckling about, big guy?” Cash asked Ivan.
“I’ve heard the hushed giggling coming out of your office in the barn.
” Ivan had the good grace to look a little sheepish, but Rory looked like the cat who ate the canary.
“And you,” he pointed to Harry. She put her hands on her hips and notched her chin up in challenge.
“Do you honestly think I didn’t know Dylan was climbing in and out of your bedroom window?
” Cash turned to his K-9 trainer. “Dude, you could’ve used the front door.
You’re consenting adults.” Harry giggled and leaned into Dylan’s side.
Cash waited for the teasing and laughing to die down. “This is my time now, damn it. I’m in love with my best friend and have been for a long time.” Cash’s heart sank when Owen’s face turned pink and Tyler’s gaze fell to his boots. “But we’ll do our best not to make it weird for anyone.”
“Like making out in the car in front of the house,” Nick added.
“Weird is cool,” Rue said. “And it means the sexy sheriff is nursing a bruised ego and needs nurturing.” He rubbed his hands together and walked away. That was the second reference Rue had made about Burke in a week. His tone was teasing, but the frequency lent credence to the comment being real.
“Happy for you, boss,” Ivan called out. He winked and led Rory off by the hand before Nick’s brother could hit them with a barrage of questions.
“Ditto,” Kieran said as Finley blew them a kiss. They also turned and caught up to Rueben before he managed to get too far.
“And now we have two daddies,” Tyler said exuberantly.
Nick made a slight choking sound and whispered, “Do you think he knows what that term also implies?”
Cash bit back laughter when he noticed Owen’s wide-eyed expression. “No, but Owen sure as hell does.”
Owen gave Tyler a playful shove, leaned in close, and said something Cash couldn’t hear. Tyler’s eyes bulged out of his head and his mouth practically hit the ground.
“Don’t worry about it, Ty,” Cash called out. “Have a good night.”
Owen and Tyler turned and followed Rue, Finley, and Kieran back to the crew’s cabins. That left Harry and Dylan as the last two standing.
“When did you get so dramatic?” Harry asked, rolling her eyes.
“Night, boss,” Dylan called out as they headed to their vehicle.
“Night,” Cash told them. He glanced over at Nick, who watched him with a smirk on his face. “What?”
“It’s just good to be home.”