Page 37 of Protecting his Heart

“You didn’t have to do anything you didn’t want to.”

Evan sighed. “I don’t know if they moved away, and I’ve just been lucky enough not to cross paths with them before now, or if they’ve just returned from wherever they went.”

“Does it matter?”

Evan frowned, seeming to think about his answer. “In some ways, yes. If it was just that we never crossed paths, it might be easier than thinking they moved away without saying anything.” He exhaled. “I know it shouldn’t matter.”

“Don’t do that. You can feel however you need to feel. There are no right or wrong answers to this situation.”

Evan met his gaze, and Owen felt it to his soul. “Thank you.”

Owen smiled. “You don’t need to thank me, but you’re welcome, anyway.” He patted his hand. “Are you definitely going to work tonight?”

Evan nodded. “Yes. My mind is blown, but it’s not splintered. I can still do the job, and I think it will help me recentre myself more than what you’ve already managed.”

Owen’s heart burst at the admission, making him feel ten feet tall. He had one more question for him before he left for the hospital. “Do you want me to find out what happened to them?”

Evan stared at him, worrying his bottom lip. “I’m not sure.”

Owen nodded. “Okay. Just say the word if you do. You know what Felix is capable of.”

“That reminds me,” Evan said, reaching into his pocket. He checked his phone. “Felix sent me a message earlier…” He showed it to Owen, who smiled.

“I still think it’s an admirer,” he said, wanting to get Evan thinking of something else rather than what they had been talking about. “I’m not turning down thoughtful presents.”

Evan rolled his eyes and stood, grabbing the dinner plates. “I bet you won’t.” He carried them to the kitchen while Owen took the cups.

“Come on. You have to admit that scarf is nice.”

“I don’t have to admit anything.” He looked as if he’d swallowed a lemon.

Owen chuckled. “I can get rid of it if you’d prefer.” He was deadly serious. Joking aside, he wouldn’t want to hurt Evan in any way.

Evan sighed and faced him, sliding his arms around his waist. “No. It’s fine. I suppose it is a nice fabric.”

Owen hid his smile by joining their lips, the spiciness of the enchiladas still present on his lips. He wrapped his arms around Evan’s neck, deepening the kiss into something they could easily turn into something more. After several air-denying minutes, they pulled apart, panting.

“That’s a nice ‘see you later,’” Evan said.

“And don’t you forget it.”

“Never,” Evan promised. “But I really need to go.”

Owen kissed him once more. “I guess I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Not if I see you first.”

Owen chuckled at the reminder of the childhood retort and allowed Evan to pull from his embrace. He watched as he pottered around, collecting the things he needed for the night shift. His lover stopped at the front door and looked back.

“I’ll miss you.”

“I’ll miss you more,” Owen countered. “Be safe.”

“Always am.”

When the door closed behind him, Owen exhaled, finally allowing himself to feel everything he’d bottled up. That initial thought of Evan leaving him had coalesced into something bigger the more he hadn’t been able to find him, but the moment his mother called, he’d let it all go. The trust issue was his problem, and no one else’s. He needed to trust that Evan wouldn’t leave, and as much as he thought he did, that had proven he still had a way to go. Even if Evan had left, Owen could’ve understood it. Seeing their estranged parents would’ve destroyed anyone.

With the rest of the lonely night ahead of him, he settled onto the sofa with a movie marathon in mind. If he stayed awake as long as he could, he could sleep with Evan when he came home instead of leaving the bed so the man could sleep alone. His mind went a mile a minute, and he finally caved and called Felix.

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