Page 57 of Beck

“High praise.” Kole sat upright. “You’re running a bath?”

Beck nodded. “We could do with a relaxing soak, I think.”

“Sounds like a plan.” He stood. “I’ll grab some nibbles for us.” He slipped on Beck’s robe and disappeared after another smile in Beck’s direction.

Alone, Beck expected some of his previous thoughts and images to bombard him, but nothing showed its head. For the first time in such a long time, he was completely at ease.Completely and absolutely and undyingly content. And it was weird. Wonderful, but weird. Wonderfully weird.

Shaking off his crazy thoughts, he aimed for the bathroom again and checked the water level, how many towels he had and anything else he might need before Kole appeared, which he did just as he turned off the taps.

“I thought we could do with something to drink, too.”

He held up two small bottles of Appletiser and a large plate filled with nuts, cheese and other picky foods. Beck chuckled. “I’d forgotten about those drinks.”

They climbed into the bath, and Beck leaned against Kole’s chest, his head resting back on his shoulder. Closing his eyes, he breathed deeply, enjoying the scent hanging in the room.

“How do you feel?”

Beck inhaled and held it, then let it out slowly. “Really good. I had thought talking to Becca would terrorise me or something, but I think it actually helped.”

“I’m glad.”

“I don’t know where we’re going from here, but I feel positive about the future for the first time in a long time.”

“And what does your future hold, Beck?”

“Tattoos, friends, family, fun and fu—”

“I get the picture.” Kole laughed, covering Beck’s mouth with his hand.

He snorted and moved until his hand dislodged. “I was going to sayfull stomach. Someone has a dirty mind!”

“Yeah, sure you were, Casanova.”

Beck chuckled and closed his eyes again. “What are your plans, Kole?”

“Tattoos, friends, family, fun and…giving you everything you want.”

Beck’s heart pounded as he met Kole’s gaze, and he slid his arm around Kole’s neck and kissed him. “You already have.”

****

Chapter 18

Kole

They had met up with Becca twice more since their initial meeting three weeks prior. Kole could see the difference in Beck since that first one, and he was so proud of what he’d achieved. In that time, he’d also received a message from his friend, Donovan, to say he was involved with the case, too. Donovan had been the only person Beck had kept in touch with from his foster days, and that was only because he hadn’t taken no for an answer when he’d originally found Beck when they were older.

Unfortunately, Donovan had also had a run-in with Drake but had been rehomed quickly. From what Beck told him, Donovan had been Drake’s first victim, their time at the Prices only overlapping by a few months. Despite not knowing what had happened to each other, they had shelved the past and pathed a future as friends, even so much so that Donovan had introduced Beck to Prince Christian, who regularly received tattoos, too.

But there had still been a slight pall over them—Drake. He’d been remanded in custody without bail being allowed, but the police had been in touch to say they had wrangled a quick hearing. That was good news in some ways, but not in others.

Beck had taken the news in his stride, but the strain was showing as the time drew nearer. He’d been to see a counsellor several times to help with the process of being on the witness stand and reliving everything for everyone to hear, and they’d spent every night wrapped around each other.

Kole wouldn’t admit it, but he had been sure that Beck would pull away from him as the date arrived, but he hadn’t. If anything, he’d pulled Kole closer, which he hadn’t argued with. If he could’ve wrapped Beck in cotton wool and kept him from having to go through the process, he would’ve. He was certain Beck would have said the same thing about Kole’s previous situation, too.

They had the full support of the Life in Ink crew, as expected, and when the morning of the hearing dawned, Beck had received messages from all of them, confirming they would be there for him. That was another thing Kole had thought Beck would disagree with—having his friends listen to every sordid detail, but Beck surprised him once more. When they’d told him that, he’d thanked them and nothing more. Kole had wanted to discuss it, but he’d refused to make Beck explain himself, so he’d left it.

“Are you ready to go?” Kole asked, stopping beside Beck.

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