Chapter Twenty-Eight
When he first saw Riley’s RV coming back up the driveway through the kitchen window, Brent thought for a moment that he was hallucinating.
It took him about three seconds to decide that he wasn’t, and that even if he was, he’d only look like an idiot in front of a few stray birds when he went outside. Brent rushed to the front door, throwing it open and running out to where Riley was pulling up, barely stopping himself from running straight into the side of the RV.
He stood at the driver’s-side door like a puppy waiting eagerly to be told he was a good boy.
He’d wished all morning for a second chance, wished he’d had the guts to say something to Riley before he left, that he’d at least asked Riley to stay and let him make up his own mind.
Riley opened the door and jumped out, his feet hitting the ground with a thud.
Before Brent could say anything, Riley pounced on him. Both of Riley’s hands came up to frame his face, holding him in place while he forced his way into Brent’s mouth, his lips insistent, hungry against Brent’s own.
Relief washed over Brent, the knot in his stomach easing off, replaced with the warm glow of arousal, the tight, happy feeling of hope.
It was kind of hard to misread being kissed like you were the most important thing in the universe.
Brent had hardly realized Riley knew how to kiss like that.
“I forgot to do that before I left,” Riley said, his lips brushing against Brent’s as they moved. “Had to come back for it.”
Brent licked his kiss-swollen lips, then cleared his throat. “Did you forget anything else?”
Riley grinned at him. “This, too,” he said, darting in and pecking Brent on the lips again. “And this.”
This time, he turned them both around, pressing Brent’s back against the RV with the entire weight of his body, pinning Brent in place.
Brent hummed into the kiss, his heart clenching at the softness of it, at everything it said without needing to speak a word.
“I also forgot to ask you to clear a drawer out for me.” Riley cleared his throat. “I already have my own key, so that’s not a problem. I can just move straight in.”
“You’re moving in?” Brent asked, raising an eyebrow.
Not that he was about to object. The idea of not having to live in an empty house sounded amazing.
“Yes,” Riley said. “If that’s okay. If you… if you want me to stay?”
Brent bit his lip, tears welling up in his eyes. Of course he wanted Riley to stay. He’d always wanted Riley to stay.
“I love you,” Riley added. “I’ve always loved you. I want to build a home in your heart and live there. It’s the only place I’ve ever wanted to be.”
“Riley, I…”
“And you have thirty-seven freckles across your nose and cheeks,” he said. “But more in summer, less in winter. I haven’t counted the ones on your back, but I’d like to. If you’ll have me.”
Brent stared at Riley, struck by how obviously he meant that.
Riley had counted. He’d told Brent that someone would love him enough to count his freckles one day, and it had turned out to be true.
That was…
It was definitely something.
The word overwhelming sprung to mind.
“Riley, you wanna shut up for a second?” Brent asked.
He’d never told Riley to shut up before in his life. Not seriously, anyway.
Riley made a show of pursing his lips, backing off an inch. Brent didn’t exactly want him to back off, but it did make it a little easier to gather his thoughts.
“I love you, too,” Brent said. He held up a single finger to stop Riley from responding, since Riley had already opened his mouth and taken a breath to do so.
“I want you to stay. It’s taken… a lot of bullshit for me to realize that, but I can’t imagine my life without you. You’ve always been there, and now… I think it’s our time. I don’t think this would have worked before right now. You’re ready to come home. I’m ready to be your home. Stay with me?”
Riley nodded, and Brent could see tears springing up in his eyes, too. He lunged forward, wrapping Brent in a bone-crushing hug and knocking the wind out of him.
Brent couldn’t bring himself to care. This was what he wanted. He wanted Riley, and everything that came with him. Every part of him. Not just the neat and tidy ones.
He hugged back, as tight as he could, promising himself that he’d never let go. Not for anything.
“This is our time,” Riley agreed.
Brent sniffed, wiping his tears on his sleeve and taking a few heaving breaths as Riley let go of him, only to lean against his chest, his head resting on Brent’s shoulder.
“I’m exhausted,” Brent admitted. After all the worry this morning, after being so sure that he’d lost Riley forever, this was all too much for him.
Not in a bad way. It was just that he wanted to sleep for a hundred years right now.
Riley hummed softly, breathing a deep, heavy sigh and letting more of his weight fall against Brent.
That was fine. Brent could take it.
“Me too,” Riley agreed. “You think we could take a nap? If you haven’t got anywhere better to be?”
“Not today,” Brent said. “You’re my best offer by a long way.”
Riley took a step back, holding his hand out. “Then lead the way.”
Brent took it, smiling at the gesture. He could get used to Riley following him.