Page 24 of Finding Michael

Tristan slid his phone into the front pocket of his bag, then locked up the room and strode straight downstairs. He couldn’t wait to see Michael. Was it possible that he’d fallen for the quirky librarian? Yeah, and he had. When he reached the counter, Molly wasn’t around. He grabbed a piece of paper and left her a note.

You rock. Thanks for everything. Put in a good word for me with Michael.

XOXO,

Tristan

He left the key in the folded page, then headed back out to the car. He deposited his bags into the trunk, then hurried down the street to Pandy’s and retrieved the pizza. He bought two large bottles of soda and paid the bill, then carried everything to the car.

He drove home with renewed vigor. Michael would be over soon. Instead of eating, he dragged his things inside and focused on cleaning up the kitchen. He located the garbage and tossed the food out of the refrigerator. Wasting the food sucked, but most of it was beyond the expiration dates. He cleaned off a spot on the counter, then located plates and cups. He wanted to make the right impression.

Tristan paused.Fuck.What was he doing in the kitchen when he should be upstairs settling in? He abandoned the food and took his bags to the second floor. For a moment, he considered using Al’s room. Something in the back of his mind dictated he use the guest space. He ducked into the smaller of the two rooms and paused. A wave of nostalgia hit him hard. He’d spent four summers here and few of the furnishings were different. In moments, he’d been transported back to when he was fourteen and trying to come to terms with being gay. He left his bags on the floor and sat on the bed.

“Well, Uncle. I’m here.” He folded his hands. Speaking to the spirit of his dead uncle soothed him. “I don’t know what you expect from me, but I hope I make you happy. I’m overwhelmed and I’ve never had to sort out someone’s life. I feel lost.” He bowed his head. “I wish you were still here. I miss you and would love to have gotten to know you better.” He wiped tears from his cheeks.Shit.He hadn’t planned on crying.

The full weight of what he’d been asked to do hit him. Seeing his uncle’s things broke his heart. He’d let time and distance get between them. He’d looked up to Al. Yes, the man could grumble and argue, but he’d had a big heart. Tristan picked at the ring on his middle finger. He’d never be able to talk to his uncle, save for essentially talking to himself, ever again.

Tristan blew out a long breath and forced himself to stand. Instead of focusing on what he couldn’t change, he worked on settling in. He carried his toiletries to the bathroom, then wished he’d brought a box. His uncle’s razor was still on the sink and his toothbrush was in the holder. He wasn’t ready to pitch anything yet. Being here would take some getting used to. He put the razor and toothbrush in the cabinet over the sink. If he didn’t keep moving forward, he’d never leave the room.

He returned to the guest room and unpacked his clothes. He arranged his jeans and shirts on the dresser. Putting the garments into the bureau wasn’t bad, but he wasn’t ready to disturb his uncle’s stuff—not upstairs anyway. He’d get there later.

The doorbell rang and Tristan froze. The bell toned again, but this time he realized what the sound was. He hurried to the first floor and skidded to a stop at the door. Michael stood on the porch and waved.

“Come in.” He unlocked the main door and pushed open the screen door. “Excuse the stuffiness. I should crack a few windows.”

“Al would hate it smelling musty.” Michael inched into the house, but didn’t venture far from Tristan.

“Probably.” He laughed, then tucked Michael into his embrace. “I’m so happy to see you.” He kissed Michael’s cheeks. “You smell good…and you’re here early.”

“Cilla and Dicey conned me into leaving early. They said they’d close. I’ll check the building before I go home, but I’m sure it’s fine.” Michael stayed in Tristan’s arms and rested his hands on Tristan’s hips. “You sounded so insistent.”

“I need you.” He liked the way Michael felt against him. If nothing else was right in his world, Michael was, and he wanted to keep the good feelings going. “I have pizza and soda. Haven’t even opened the box.” He kissed Michael on the lips.

“How can I say no?”

“Uh…really easily.” He slipped his hands into Michael’s back pockets. God, the man had a nice ass. Squeezable and taut. “I’m glad you came.”

“Not yet.” Michael wriggled his eyebrows.

Tristan paused for a beat as he caught on to the joke. “Cute. Do you want to come?”

“Not until after our second date.” Michael smiled. “I’m not that easy.”

“I’ll remember that.” How fast could they get to date number two? He dragged Michael to the kitchen. “I even remembered to get the cups and plates out.”

“I’m impressed.”

He let go of Michael, then opened the pizza box. Despite the bit of tension, Tristan relaxed. He handed Michael the first piece of the pie. “This is the start of something awesome. I just know it.” Down to his soul, he knew. “You and I are going to be epic.”

Michael hesitated before accepting the slice of pizza. He’d forgotten how many memories were in the kitchen and the house. He’d only been with Al for three months and had never lived at the farmhouse, but if he didn’t give Tristan an explanation, he’d burst. He ate in silence and considered his options. He wasn’t sure how to broach the topic.Oh hey, I was lovers with your uncle.No, too pushy.Your uncle and I had something I thought was special, but wasn’t just friendship.Too vague. I was in love with your uncle for three months, but he never loved me.Ugh.

“You’re a hundred miles away.” Tristan put his plate down, then stalked over to Michael. “I’m that boring?”

“No.” Far from that. Tristan excited him and made him want to open his heart.

Tristan took the plate from Michael. “I’ve been thinking about you all day.” He licked his lips and caged Michael between his body and the counter. He rubbed the bulge in his jeans against the one in Michael’s pants, sending shimmers of heat through Michael’s body. Michael fought his better judgment and slid his fingers into Tristan’s front pockets. Tristan dragged his nose along Michael’s. “Yeah.” He shifted his hips. “I can’t lie. I want you.”

“Yeah.” He had no other words. His regret and confusion melted away. He was drawn to Tristan. The man didn’t care who Michael was or what he’d done. Tristan wanted to be with him.

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