Noam watched as Faith played in the backyard with Casper. He was amazed at how strong she was. He remembered her being kidnapped, then rescued after the 'Castrator' had led the police to a house. He didn't know all the details, but he knew she'd been sexually abused by whoever had taken her.
"She's a strong kid." Noam glanced at Kasey.
"She is. It's been hard, but slowly she's starting to get better. She doesn't like many people to get very close. Other than her dads, I think Beau is about the only other man she fully trusts. Just having her spend a few days with me was a big deal." Kasey smiled as Faith tossed a tennis ball across the yard.
"You're friends with her dad?" Noam was curious how they all knew each other.
"Yeah, one of my friends married her dad about a year after Faith came home. Matt was easy to get along with and the friendship came naturally, and you can't help but fall in love with Faith."
"And Beau?" Noam asked.
"Faith's doctor when she was first brought into the hospital. They formed a close connection. She's different around him, focused, attentive, interested. She wants to be a doctor like him when she grows up. He lets her follow him around when he's not really busy and sits down with her when he visits and teaches her little things. The girl probably knows human anatomy better than I do." Kasey sounded proud of Faith.
Noam nodded. "It can't be easy. I'm glad she's got a strong support network. Half the kids I see go through stuff like this are in foster care or the parents are the abusers. I feel for the kids. They don't have anyone on their side. We both know the state doesn't do enough for them."
"You've probably seen a lot." Kasey reached over and covered Noam's hand with his own.
Noam turned it over and linked their fingers again. It was natural to touch Kasey, to hold hands. They'd had an amazing time at the trampoline place, then had picked up some burgers and come back to his house to eat. He had one of the best nights he could remember, and it was spent jumping around and laughing. "What are we doing here, Kase?" He hoped Kasey didn't mind him shortening his name.
"You mean this?" Kasey lifted their joined hands.
"Yeah. I wasn't looking for anything really, but it just…" He closed his eyes and took a breath as he tried to think what he wanted to say. "I've been single a long time. I thought I was good with that, but suddenly, here you are, and I'm thinking about things I haven't in years. I don't go out holding hands with anyone. I don't talk about dating. I don't think about the stuff I think about when I'm with you."
"What do you think about?" Kasey asked, staring directly into his eyes.
The tension between them was thick, and Noam thanked God that Faith was right outside, forcing them to talk about things instead of act on them. "How you would feel in my arms, how it would be to sit beside you on the couch and watch a movie, lay on your lap, kiss you." His brain screamed at him to shut up. He was going to make things worse than they already were. The last thing he needed was to do any of those things with Kasey. It would only lead to them wanting more.
Kasey nodded. "I'm having a lot of the same thoughts, and like you, I didn't think I was looking for anything more than friendship. But since I met you, I can't stop thinking about all those things. I can't stop thinking about you. I feel like a sap because I want to call you throughout the day just to hear your voice."
Noam laughed. "You can call me anytime. If I'm busy, I won't answer, but I'll always call you back." He ran his thumb over Kasey's hand, still holding it tightly. "Can we take things slowly? I mean, if you want to. I don't want to push if this isn't something you want."
"Slow is good. It's really good. I'm in no hurry to rush anything." Kasey smiled. "But I would be lying if I said I just want to be friends. This is good." He lifted their hands. "And sitting on the couch, hugging, kissing, it's all good. We'll just take it slow and see how things go. No need to rush into anything."
Noam was relieved to hear those words. He needed time to be able to open up to Kasey and explain about his past. It wasn't something he told anyone about. He kept his secrets close. Telling Kasey wasn't going to be easy, and he wouldn't tell him until he absolutely had to. "It will be nice not having to shove my hands in my pockets to keep from touching you."
Kasey laughed. "I thought I was the only one doing that."
Faith and Casper came walking in from outside. "I think she's tired. She won't play anymore."
Noam laughed as Casper went to get a long drink of water before lying down under the table. "She was happy to have someone to play with. You're welcome to come play with her anytime you want."
"Maybe she can come play with Zeus some time." Faith took a drink from the cup she'd gotten with dinner that still sat on the table.
"Who is Zeus?" Noam asked.
"My dog." Faith grinned. "He's bigger than Casper, but I think they could still be friends."
"German Shepherd." Kasey smiled. "He's a good dog. Loyal to Faith above all others."
Noam was glad to hear that Faith had a dog of her own, especially one that could protect her. After all she'd been through, it was a simple thing that might help her feel secure. "I think Casper might enjoy that sometime. Maybe, we can go on a hike or something with them."
Faith eyes widened. "Can we, Uncle Kasey?"
"Well, that depends. Noam has to work the next few days, and your dads will be back Friday afternoon and will want to spend the weekend with you, so if we do anything, I'll have to arrange it with your dad in a couple weeks."
"Cool. That sounds fun and I think Zeus would love it." Faith looked excited.
Noam grinned. He didn't want the night to end. "If you're not in a hurry to go, I think I could scrounge up some ice cream. Maybe we can see if there's anything on TV while we eat it?" He wanted to continue his conversation with Kasey, but it clearly was going to have to wait until they were alone, which probably wouldn't be for a few more days.
"Ice cream sounds great. What do you think, Faith?" Kasey asked.
"Yes, please." She smiled.
"Why don't you go find us something to watch on TV while we get it." Noam nodded to the living room. "The remote should be on the coffee table."
Faith jumped up and went into the living room, Casper following her.
"Are you sure we aren't keeping you from something? I know you have to work early." Kasey asked.
Noam gently pulled his hand free and stood. "No, you're good for a bit longer. I'm glad for the company." He pulled three bowls from the cupboard. "Grab the ice cream from the freezer for me?"
Kasey stood, going to the fridge, and pulling out the ice cream. He walked over to the counter, setting it down next to the bowls. He gently rested his palm on Noam's back. "We can finish our conversation on Saturday if you want."
Noam turned to him, their bodies close. "Was there more to talk about?" He lifted his hand to Kasey's cheek, brushing his knuckles down it. "I really want to kiss you right now, but I don't want our first kiss rushed, and I really don't want Faith interrupting, so I'm going to wait, but I just wanted you to know, I want to kiss you."
Kasey grinned. "The feeling is mutual, but I agree. It's best to wait. Come to my place for dinner on Saturday?"
Noam nodded, even though in the back of his mind he was sure they were better off being in public and not alone. "Just tell me what to bring."
"Just you. I'll take care of the rest." Kasey stared at him a moment before shaking his head. "Where can I find spoons?"
"What?" Noam had no idea what Kasey was talking about.
"Spoons, for the ice cream." Kasey laughed.
"Oh, right. Um, third drawer over." Noam nodded as he reached into another drawer for the ice cream scoop.
He focused on serving the ice cream, trying not to think about Kasey and their conversation. As much as the thought of a relationship scared him, the thought of having someone there brought a sense of peace. He'd been on his own for a long time, refusing to search for someone who he could enjoy time with. Kasey appeared out of nowhere, showing up twice in a short amount of time as if fate or some force was telling him to pay attention. Being around Kasey felt right, more right than anything had in his life for years. He couldn't ignore that.
As they carried the bowls into the living room, Noam thought about how well they worked together. It was only ice cream, but doing things in the kitchen with Kasey seemed normal, almost as if they'd been doing it for years.
He waited for Kasey to hand Faith her bowl and sit down on the couch beside her before he sat down at the other end of the couch, close to Kasey. Their legs touched as he sat back, but he didn't move away, enjoying the warmth of his thigh against his own. "What are we watching?"
"Ninja Warrior. Dad says Xander should give it a try." Faith pointed to the obstacle they were currently on. "I don't think Xander can do that though."
"I'm not sure many of us could do that." Noam watched as a guy somehow managed to climb straight up a shaft.
"I think I'd fail just because I'd get nervous having so many people watch me," Faith said.
"Me too, plus knowing it was on TV," Kasey agreed.
Noam listened to Faith and Kasey talk, and for a brief moment, wondered if this was what it would be like to have his own family, his own child. He'd never really given it much thought. He didn't date, didn't look for a future with a partner or a family, but somehow, sitting on the couch doing something as casual as eating ice cream and watching TV made him yearn for that. It was a desire that caught him off guard, but also angered him because the reality of it was, he could never have that. Kasey might want him now, but as they got to know each other better and he finally was forced to tell him everything, it would change things. It always did.
Ignoring the way his thigh tingled as it touched against Kasey's, Noam reminded himself that no matter how good it was now, it wouldn't stay that way, and he was best to remember that. It was going to be the only way he managed to keep his sanity when all was said and done, and Kasey walked out the door.
"You okay?" Kasey laid his hand on Noam's thigh.
"Yeah, was just thinking about work," Noam lied.
"Speaking of which, you have to work tomorrow. Faith and I should be getting home." Kasey grabbed their empty ice cream dishes and stood. "Faith, it's time to go."
Faith yawned and stretched. "You're not going to give me a bedtime like Dad does, are you?"
"Yup, I am, but probably not the same one he gives." He winked at her as he headed into the kitchen.
Noam followed him, coming up behind Kasey, and pressing his chest to Kasey's back as he rinsed off the bowls. "I had an amazing time tonight." He wrapped his arms around him, splaying his hands over Kasey's chest as he rested his chin on his shoulder.
"So did I. I'm glad you came with us." Kasey shut off the water before leaning back into Noam's embrace. "I'm looking forward to Saturday."
"Me too." Noam stepped back as Faith walked in.
Kasey reached for the dish towel to dry his hands. "You ready to go, Stripes?"
"Yep." She glanced at Noam. "Thank you for the ice cream and for going with us. It was fun."
"I had a great time. Thank you for inviting me. I hope I get to see you again."
"Me too." Faith smiled at Kasey before looking at Noam. "I think you will."
Noam laughed. "Me too."
After making sure everything was picked up, Noam walked with Kasey to the front door. "Call me tomorrow."
"You know I will. Probably more often than I should," Kasey admitted.
"We're the ones making the rules. I don't think there is one that says you can't call often."
Kasey nodded. "Good. Thanks again for tonight." He ran his hand down Noam's arm, but his gaze was trained right on his mouth. "I'll see you soon."
Noam nodded, then watched as Kasey and Faith went to the car. He stayed there until he could no longer see the tail lights down the road. As he shut and locked his door, he prayed he didn't end up hurting Kasey when everything came out. His own heart could break, but he didn't want to put Kasey through that.
Trying not to think about the inevitable, he turned off the lights and headed to bed, glad to have Casper by his side even if she wasn't the one he wanted there.