Page 47 of Wishes for August

“Is this signed?” He beamed and August nodded, a smile tipping up the side of his lips. “This is so cool! Thank you.” He hugged the gift to his chest before he spoke to August again, “So you’re my brother?”

“I am,” August said.

“Cool, cool. Okay well come inside. Do you play FIFA? Or do you want to shoot some hoops outside? Or we could just talk.” Declan babbled on as we followed him into the house and into a large open plan kitchen. The smell of vanilla hit me and my eyes caught on a round birthday cake on the counter. A large candle in the shape of the number fourteen stood in the centre.

Next to me, August bristled when a man, the splitting image, albeit an older version of him came to stand next to Declan.

“Son,” he nodded at August, who didn’t say anything but instead gave a subtle tip of his head.

He turned to me, “I’m sorry, Caroline didn’t tell me August was bringing a friend.”

He reached his hand out to shake mine and August piped up, “Caleb is my boyfriend.” Patrick's eyes widened a fraction before he took my hand and August glared at him, waiting to see what he would say. I guess Patrick didn’t know August was gay. Not surprising given he knew very little about his eldest child.

Patrick looked at August briefly, then back to me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Caleb,” he said and though his voice was flat, I felt my shoulders relax a little. I hadn’t realised I’d been so tense. I just wanted this whole day to go well.

The day went better than I had anticipated. Though August had tried not to engage with Caroline, she was hard not to like. She was friendly and welcoming, and she didn’t push August to talk. On the other hand, Patrick had been harder to warm to. Heconstantly asked August questions as though he was trying to make up for all the years he had missed, and I could see August growing weary of him. Thankfully, after filling ourselves up on roast lamb with all the trimmings and a huge slice of cake each, Caroline suggested that we go with Declan to the field across the road to spend some time together. I opted to give August and his brother some time alone, so I stayed to help Caroline clean up.

It was nearing five and the day was starting to get dark. August and Declan were still out but I was sure with the fading light they would be back very soon. I was standing in the living room, scrolling through my phone when Patrick walked in. He had retreated to his office shortly after the other two went to the park, so I hadn't seen him since the meal.

“Caleb,” he said, coming to stand in front of me. “What is it that you do?”

His tone and direct fire question got my back up but I answered him anyway, “I’m a managing director of a marketing firm.” I had already answered a similar question when Caroline asked earlier so he’d either not been paying attention or he was asking for a reason.

“The same company August works for?” Patrick asked and I titled my head at him as I responded, “Yes. The same one.”

“So, you’re his boss?” he asked. I squared my shoulders, making myself seem taller as I took in the older man. His hair was greying and he had fine wrinkles along his brow.

“That’s right.”

“And you don’t think that’s a problem? A man of your stature sleeping with an employee? I mean ethically it’s not right. There’s a whole power imbalance there.” Blood rushed to my temples and I clenched my fists at what he was insinuating. All this from a man who had run off with his personal assistant?

“No,” I heard from the other side of the room. “You don’t get to do that.” August’s voice trembled a little as he spoke but hecontinued on, his eyes glaring daggers at his father. “You don’t get to question my boyfriend like that or act concerned about me. You gave up that right when you walked out years ago.”

August walked up to me and I grabbed his hand, threading our fingers together. I ran my thumb in small circles over his wrist feeling his racing pulse beneath the skin.

“I enjoyed my time with Declan, and I want to see him again. But this,” he gestured with his free hand between himself and his father, "This is not happening. You moved on and I don’t begrudge my brother, but I am not ready to forgive you. I don’t know if I ever will be.”

Patrick took a step back, swallowing thickly before opening his mouth to speak, just as Caroline walked in, Declan by her side.

“That’s fine August,” she said, her voice kind. “Give Declan your number and we can arrange something for later in the month. Maybe you could take him to a football match or something.”

We said our goodbyes to Caroline and Declan, Patrick having left the room with a curt nod without saying another word. I ordered us a rideshare and we stood, hand in hand on the curb, waiting for it to arrive.

“I’m proud of you sweetheart.” I leaned over and kissed his cheek. It was cold from the cool January air and I dropped his hand to rub mine over them in an attempt to warm him up.

“Thank you for coming with me today," August whispered, and I squished his cheeks and planted a kiss on his lips.

“I’d go anywhere with you baby.”

August smiled and fuck me if it wasn’t the most incredible thing I had ever seen.

Chapter 26

Caleb

As January rolled into February, the days grew colder and we were treated to a week of snow followed by a week of clear blue skies. August had spent a few days over the past weeks with Declan, taking him to the movies and into London to the museums. He was beaming with joy every time he returned from his day’s out with Dec, and I loved that for him.

Things between August and I were good. Better than good, they were great. Though he hadn’t officially moved in with me, with every visit to my place, more and more of his belongings were arriving and staying. I loved him filling up my home. Making it our home. With Branson in New York for the next month before he was due to come back and pack up for a permanent move, it felt like the perfect time to ask August to move in with me.

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