Page 35 of Protecting his Heart

He blinked and met her gaze. “My parents.”

Sally’s eyes widened, and then she sighed. “I hadn’t heard they’d returned. Otherwise, I would’ve warned you.” She rubbed his hand. “Where were they?”

“Book Drunk. I was having a coffee when I saw her. Made a mess and left Oscar to clean it up. I’ll have to apologise to him.”

“Don’t you worry about that. I’m sure he understands.”

“But—”

Sally shook her head. “No, he’ll understand. As for you, I think you need hot chocolate and a nap. How about it?”

Evan found a smile for her, his shoulders lowering as the tension slowly left his body. “Sounds like a plan.”

Sally disappeared, and Evan returned to staring at the fireplace. Memories of his teenage years flitted through his mind. Sleepovers in front of the fire, movie nights, climbing the trees in the back garden. Most of his good memories revolved around this house and Dominic’s parents’ house, not the house he grew up in. He’d believed himself to have quite a pleasant childhood until the moment he’d told his parents he was gay. An epic mistake if ever he’d made one.

Sally brought in a mug of hot chocolate and settled beside Evan, tucking her legs underneath her.

“I’m sorry for showing up unannounced,” he said.

“Evan, you don’t need to announce yourself. I told you then, I’ve told you over the years, and I’ll tell you again. This will always be your home.”

Evan stared into the swirling hot chocolate, his throat tight. “Thank you.”

“Now, how about a Laurel and Hardy marathon before a nap?” she said, and Evan chuckled.

“Sure.”

Sally was obsessed with the comedy duo, watching them repeatedly, and Evan had found an appreciation for them over the years. But now, more than ever, he needed that normalcy.

Five hours later, he woke, overly warm but content. He stretched, and his feet left the warmth of the covers. He pulled them back in and blinked. His old room came into focus, and memories resurfaced. His stomach churned, but he shoved everything aside, checking the time. Before he had draggedhimself to bed, Sally had asked what time he needed waking so he wouldn’t be late for his shift, so he knew he wouldn’t be late, but he’d slept longer than he’d expected. He needed to get home so he could shower, eat and change for work.

He sat upright. “Shit.” He reached for his phone and cursed again when he saw how many messages and missed calls he had from Owen. Evan should’ve been home three hours ago.

He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and held the phone between his shoulder and ear while he slid on his shoes. The phone rang and rang, but Owen didn’t answer. It went to voicemail, and Evan said, “I’m sorry. I’m here. I’m alive. I’m coming home now. I’ll explain, I promise.”

He exited his old room and bounded down the stairs, looking for Sally. “Has Owen call—”

He stopped in the entrance to the living room, where Sally was curled up on the sofa—and Owen sat in one armchair, much the same way. Their gazes met, and Owen looked ravaged.

Evan dropped to his knees in front of him, resting his hands on him wherever he could reach. “I’m sorry. I should’ve called. I… My brain wasn’t where it should’ve been.”

Owen cleared his throat, glanced behind Evan at his mother and then back to him again. “It’s okay. Mum explained. But…” He stared at his mother again, exhaling slowly. Evan looked at Sally, who nodded at Owen. “I thought you’d left,” he whispered, and Evan’s heart broke all over again.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to. I truly didn’t. I didn’t even know where I was going when I turned up here. I just left the cafe and walked. I ended up here. I got your message and was going to reply, but I got distracted, and then everything disappeared into a jumble.” Evan inhaled, trying to explain further, but Owen palmed his cheek.

“I know that now. I just wanted to explain where my head went. I’m not mad. I promise. I understand.”

Evan lowered his forehead to Owen’s knee, needing the connection between them. Owen’s fingers raked through his hair, and Evan let himself go. His tears, however much unwanted, were cathartic after far too long of holding it in, which he hadn’t realised he had been. Owen slid his arms around him, and they stayed that way until Evan’s knees and back protested. Then he sat upright, sniffing, and stared at Owen.

“Thank you, and I’m sorry.”

Owen smiled at him. “You don’t need to be sorry. I understand.”

“Doesn’t make me feel better for worrying you.”

Owen dropped his mouth to Evan’s, the light caress bringing more tears to Evan’s eyes but for a different reason. He wanted to tell Owen that he loved him. He wanted to tell him absolutely everything he was feeling, but it would be too soon for his best friend. Too much weight for him to deal with after Evan’s shock disappearance. So, he kept it inside, keeping it for a time when he wouldn’t have to worry about the time being right because he’d know. There would be no denying the words at that point. But for now, he could feel them. He could keep them inside and cherish them. Because he wasn’t going anywhere now that he had Owen.

Nowhere at all.

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