Page 111 of Except You

“Bow-tie. I put you on my fucking house title.”

It’s the last straw, the last Hail Mary.

His eyes widen. “What?”

“You heard me. I put you on the title. I had my lawyer draw them up, and I just need you to sign the forms when he sends them over. Fuck. But now you’re leaving me.”

“Max,” he says, his shoulders drooping. “Why would you do that?”

“Because… Because this is it for me, okay? You’re it. This is me moving forward in my life with you by my side.”

Beau’s eyes are wet and blinking frantically. “Max, you can’t just draw up legal shit without me knowing. It’s so wrong and so goddamn romantic.”

I nod, swallowing and taking a step closer to him. “Please don’t go. I’m sorry if I’m doing this wrong, but you’re more to me than you’ll ever realize.”

He glances up at me.

“Fine. I won’t go. But I’m sleeping in the guest room tonight. So you can really think if this is what you want.”

My chest nearly caves from the pressure, but I nod in agreement. At least he’s not leaving. At least he’s staying under our roof.

I couldn’t handle it he left.

I wouldn’t survive it.

The day drags on endlessly, Beau far too quiet as I stare longingly at him. It’s a bit ridiculous, to be honest, and when he takes Doggo on a walk without me, I just sit on the front steps until he comes back.

I don’t get why he’s hesitating about this. Especially when he agreed to move in a few days ago. Maybe I pressured him into it. Maybe he caved and really doesn’t want this. Maybe he doesn’t want me.

Or maybe the sex sucked. But a second after that thought forms, I know it isn’t true. He begged me for it, for my cock. He loved it.

I love it too. Love all of it.

I love him.

My heart beats frantically in my chest, the new revelation settling somewhere between my ribs, and I find it hard to breathe.

I don’t know how it happened, but it did. I love him, I’m in love with him. A man. My Bow-tie. I didn’t expect it when I walked into that gay bar, but the more I’ve gotten to know him, the more we’ve opened up and let each other in, the more I realize that he’s the one I want to spend the rest of my life with.

Is this how Magnus felt with Sem? He loved someone so fiercely that he didn’t even think about telling our parents about it. He said fuck it and just ran with it? This is how I feel about Beau. I don’t give a shit about what anyone else thinks. I just want him.

I don’t want to go another day without him in it.

If this is love, I want it.

I just want him.

If my parents find out and disown me, they can. I don’t give a fuck. I’ve already lost Matt. What’s one more? If they don’t support me, I’ll gladly walk away.

I don’t want that negativity in my life, influencing my relationship and happiness with Beau.

I want him to come home from his walk so we can talk, so we can discuss what this really means to me, what I’ll do to keep him, but the longer I sit on the porch, the more I start to panic.

What if he doesn’t want me? What if he doesn’t love me back?

Calling him non-platonic roommates was such a stupid thing to do. What was I thinking? What if I ruined it? What if he’s done with my stupidity and wants to find someone else?

Jesus.

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