Page 60 of Except You

I bite back a smile as I stand up and move toward the bathroom, going to take a piss. It takes me a minute with my hard-on, but I manage to get it down enough to complete that task. I wash my hands and make my way to the kitchen where I make him a coffee and begin breakfast. While I do that, I click my phone on and see that Magnus responded.

Magnus:

Thank you for the apology. I need about a hundred more.

Also, yes, snuggling with a man is the way to go, bro. Love how you’re trying new things.

A smile pulls my lips up, and I feel a hundred times lighter.

Ten minutes later, Beau meanders out, still wearing my boxers and undershirt, but now with one of my flannels on over it all.

“It was cold, so I did some more snooping.”

“I’m not surprised.”

He sidles up to me and grabs his mug of freshly frothed latte, taking a long sip and sighing.

“These are good beans, Max. God, you spoil me.”

I do. I drove twenty minutes away to the Orange Circle to grab these from one of my favorite coffeehouses. But I don’t tell him that. I’d rather not.

Beau settles his chin on my shoulder as I whip up the eggs and grill some sausage.

“You can sit down, you know,” I say, but Beau just seems to snuggle in closer.

“I don’t wanna.”

I let out a huff of laughter and then pull him into my side, my hand resting on his hip. He feels good against me, like a puzzle piece. Like we were made for each other.

That feeling intensifies throughout the day. We aren’t together, but I miss him when he’s gone. When work is over, I linger near my phone, checking it obsessively until he finally messages.

He’s coming over again.

He doesn’t even ask, only tells me that he’s on his way and asks if I have a date again.

I do not. I don’t think I’ll venture out there again until much later, when I have this whole thing sorted in my brain. Although, Melissa and I have stayed in touch. I messaged her today and told her about Beau staying over and a little about how my brother is reaching out to me.

She’s been supportive and lovely.

If only I could feel more for her than I do.

If only I could feel an ounce of what I feel for Beau. That comfortable easiness that he just brings out in me.

“Hey there, big Daddy,” Beau says as he strolls inside.

I glance over at him from my place in the kitchen, and my lips turn up. “Don’t call me Daddy, Bow-tie.”

“Oh, but that’s what you said I called you, so now it’s the only thing I’ll say. Daddy Max.”

“Jesus.”

He chuckles, coming up around me and hugging me from behind. His face presses against my shoulders and his hands splay across my stomach.

“Oof, work was so awful. I’m so glad I’m here with you.”

“Yeah?” I ask, my hand going on top of his. He’s warm and soft and somewhat mine.

“Yeah, but listen, my best friend, Coop, wants to meet you tomorrow night. I mean, I have talked a lot about you and he’s desperate for face time.”

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