Page 11 of Protecting his Heart

Evan frowned. “Hang on a minute. I thought you were on a midnight to eight shift today.”

“I was supposed to be. Marie wanted to swap. So tonight I get another 1 a.m. finish. But at least I can have a lie in.”

“Whereas I have to be there for eight tomorrow morning.”

“Wishing you lots of sleep tonight.”

Evan looked at his freshly brewed coffee. “I just made myself a coffee.” He sighed, pouting.

Matteo laughed. “I wouldn’t drink that if I were you. You’ll feel like you worked a double if you do.” A noise sounded in the background. “I have to go. Let’s try to get dinner tomorrow, yeah?”

“Message me.”

“Will do. Bye.”

Evan put the phone back in his pocket and picked up the coffee. He couldn’t drink it if he wanted to get to sleep anytime soon, but he knew someone who could. Knocking on Owen’s door, he waited.

“Yeah?”

“I have coffee that’ll go to waste if you don’t want it.”

Silence, but then footsteps, and the door opened. Owen’s face was pink, undoubtedly from the burning hot showers he took—how he managed in such hot water Evan would never understand. He held out the mug.

“I forgot I was back at work tomorrow, so I can’t drink it. I won’t sleep otherwise.”

Owen took it, their fingertips brushing. “Thanks. Are you going to bed now?”

“I’m going to stay up for another hour or so. I’m not tired enough to sleep yet. Might watch some cute dog videos to pass the time.” He grinned.

Owen snorted. “You don’t watch those.”

Evan raised his eyebrows and grabbed his phone again. He scrolled to the videos and turned it to face Owen. “Wanna bet?”

Owen blinked and stared at him. “Seriously?”

“Wanna watch some with me?” He threw the question out there before he remembered he was supposed to be giving Owen time, but it was too late to take it back now.

Owen frowned but tilted his head, a mix of uncertainty and curiosity. “Sure.” He opened his door, surprising Evan, but he wouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth—though where that phrase came from, he had no idea. When he entered, he looked around, trying to decide where to sit.

“Sit on the bed. It’s fine.”

Glancing at the bedside tables, he gathered Owen slept on the left, so he settled against the headboard on the right, bending his knee to rest on the bed. Owen settled beside him, sipping the coffee and shuffling close enough to see his phone screen. In hindsight, Evan should’ve brought his computer to make it easier, but it had been an impromptu invitation, and he was happy Owen wanted to be close to him.

Scrolling to the first video he’d saved, he set it playing, resting his elbow on his leg so his arm didn’t get tired. To begin with, Evan chuckled, but Owen was more subdued. On one particularly idiotic video, though, he snorted. After that, it was like a plaster had been ripped off, and he couldn’t help himself.

Evan had no idea how long they watched for, but his eyes grew tired, though he tried to fight it. The next thing he knew, he was being shaken awake.

“Hey, sorry to wake you, but I need to pee. Just roll over to the side and go back to sleep,” Owen said.

Evan moved from where his head rested on Owen’s thigh and rubbed a hand over his face. When had he fallen asleep? He rose to sitting and yawned. He should go back to his own bed and let Owen sleep.

Owen returned and stopped in front of Evan. He stared down at him and tilted his head. “Sleep, Evan.” He reached for the cover, pulling it back, and gestured for Evan to lie down.

“Are you sure?” His heart skipped a beat when Owen nodded. He licked his lips. “Can I take my jeans off?”

Owen swallowed hard but nodded again. Evan stood, making Owen move back a step, and took off his trousers. Then, staring at Owen, he climbed into the bed, settling against the pillows. Owen pulled the covers over him and rounded the bed, sliding in beside him. Evan wasn’t sure what to expect, but it wasn’t for Owen to roll towards him and rest his head on Evan’s pillow so they were close enough for Evan to count Owen’s eyelashes.

“Sleep. We’ll talk after your shift tomorrow. I promise,” Owen whispered.

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