21. Zach #2
I reach across the table and graze my fingertips over Nate’s elbow.
“Anyway, I realized something while I was there.”
“Oh?”
Nate’s expression becomes more serious. He unthreads his fingers, reaches for my hand, and holds it. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
I widen my eyes.
“Would you consider moving in with me?”
“Move—?”
He laughs. “Move in with me. We can look for somewhere else, if you don’t think my apartment is big enough.”
“It’s huge. More than big enough for two.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Is that a yes?”
My pulse races. Should I spend time thinking about it? I count to three in my head. There. That’s time. “Yes!” I squeeze his hand. “Are you sure?” Maybe that should have come before accepting his offer.
“I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t.”
“When?”
“As soon as you’re ready to. Tonight? We are right around the corner from Halo House. It’ll only take a few minutes to drop around there to pick up your things.”
Not that I have much there. The clothes Nate retrieved for me from my apartment. A few personal effects he retrieved from there as well. Everything else got boxed up and put into temporary storage.
“Will Phoenix mind if I move out without warning?”
“I doubt it. He’ll be happy that you’re back on your feet.”
“I am. Thanks to you.”
Nate shakes his head. “You’re doing all the hard work, baby.”
“And I’m going to keep doing it. I don’t ever want to feel that overwhelmed and frightened again.” I keep my voice low, but the novelty value of our presence seems to have worn off. As far as I can tell, no one is even sparing us a glance, let alone trying to eavesdrop on our conversation.
“You won’t,” Nate promises. “You’re not alone. I’ll be at your side.”
“I know. Thank you. I love you. Let’s get my things after we’ve eaten. Then, maybe, we can go home and celebrate a second time.” I waggle my eyebrows.
“Do you have something in mind?”
I lean forward. “Yes, but I can’t talk about it here, so you’re just going to have to wait.”
He leans closer to me. “I think I can do that. Just about.” He winks at me and then sits upright, just in time for our waiter to bring our dinner to the table.
“Do you want me to text Phoenix to let him know we’re coming?” Nate asks once we’re in the car.
I nod. “I think that’s best.” I rest my hand on Nate’s thigh. “Thank you for dinner, Daddy. Wow! I’ve been wanting to call you that all evening!”
He leans across the console and kisses me. “Do you know what that means?”
“What?”
“You’re well and truly a boy.”
“I’m not a boy, Daddy. I’m your boy.”
“So you are.” He retrieves his phone and types out a text. “I’m letting him know we’re on our way to collect your things, because you’ll be moving in with me.”
I nod in agreement.
Nate hits send. “Let’s go.”
The orange-streaked sky is getting dark as we arrive at Halo House. Phoenix opens the door before we even have a chance to get out of the car. He looks as graceful as ever and is smiling broadly.
“Moving in together? That’s wonderful news,” he says.
Nate holds my hand. “I think so.”
“So do I. Phoenix… Thanks for giving me a place to stay, even though I wasn’t ready to admit I needed a room here. I did, and it’s changed my life for the better. If I hadn’t come here and met Nate, I’d probably have given up on my dreams and flown back to the UK. So, thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’m glad Halo House was able to help you.”
I make a silent promise to myself to give some of my salary to help Halo House keep running. When I get paid! I need to give back, so that other people like Puck and me have somewhere to turn to when they need it most.
“I’ll go and get my things.” I kiss Nate’s cheek. “I won’t be long.”
I jog inside, taking the steps to the second floor two at a time. I’m happy to be moving in with Nate, but at the same time I feel oddly sad. Halo House was a sanctuary when I needed it the most. It’ll be strange to leave it behind.
I go to my room and leave the door open as I toss my things into a bag.
I leave all the borrowed clothes behind.
A couple of the others wander past, notice what I’m doing, and stop by to say goodbye.
We exchange hugs and wish each other well.
By the time I’m done packing, I have a lump in my throat the size of the Arctic.
The only person I haven’t seen is Puck. I check the lounge first, but they’re not in there, so I go to their room and knock on the door.
They open it a moment later, holding one of their teddy bears under one arm. They grin when they see me. Their gaze drops to the bag over my shoulder, and their smile falters for half a second before they reassert it. “You’re leaving?”
“Yes. Nate asked me to move in with him.”
“That’s amazing! You must be so excited.”
I am.
Puck grabs a lollipop from the pot on their bedside table and taps it against the air. “I knew Nate would be the right Daddy for you.” They give me their now familiar half-moon smile. “I’m really happy for you.”
Fuck. Why are my eyes stinging with tears? “I wanted to say thanks.”
Puck tilts their head, their large blue eyes questioning.
“You were there for me when I needed a friend. I know you’ve got shit of your own going on, but you never turned me away. You listened and gave me some great advice.”
“And I loaned you a phone charger.”
I laugh. “That, too.”
They unwrap the lollipop and shrug. “You’re welcome.” They pop the lollipop into their mouth.
“Can I give you my number? In case you need a friend.”
“Sure.” They grab their phone, unlock it, and hold it out to me.
I quickly add my number to their address book and then use their phone to send myself a text message. “And I have your number.” I give them their phone back. “Will you be okay?”
“Hm-mm.”
I rake my lower lip between my teeth. “Do you give hugs?”
“Oh. No.” They take a step back. “Lollipop?” They grab another one from the pot and hold it out.
I take it, smiling. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” They sway from side to side. “Isn’t your Daddy waiting for you?”
“Yes. I just… Take care, okay?”
“I will. Don’t worry about me.”
I am worried, but there’s nothing else I can do except trust that Phoenix and Halo House will give Puck whatever support they need.
“Take care,” I repeat, stepping backward, away from their door.
Puck looks away, presses their lips together, and then rushes forward and gives me the fastest hug ever. I certainly don’t have time to even consider returning it before they pull away and backpedal almost all the way to their bedroom window. They hug their teddy bear extra tight.
“Bye, Zach. Thanks for being my friend.”
I nod. “Call me?”
“You bet.”
I gesture to Puck’s door, only closing it when they nod. I take a breath, wondering if I should or could have done more. Probably not. I put the lollipop into my pocket and walk down the stairs to where Zach is waiting by the car.
“All done?” he asks, wrapping his arm around me.
“Yes.” I kiss him softly. “Let’s go home, Daddy.”