Page 51 of Finding Michael

Chapter Twelve

Tristan rolled his shoulders. He glanced over at Michael and grinned. Having Michael at the house for the last week, leaning on him and just being together had done wonders—not only for sorting through the contents of the house, but also for his writing. He spent most mornings writing while Michael worked. Once Michael came over, they sorted through items for two hours, then existed together for the remainder of the night.

“Have you heard anything about the house?” Michael fiddled with his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Did Rose get back to you?”

Tristan paused.Shit.He should know who Rose was… “Um…”

“Did you call her?” Michael abandoned his laptop and crossed the living room. “The real estate agent?” He settled on Tristan’s lap. “The person who will help us get the house so you can start the foundation?”

Now he remembered.Duh.“I did call her. She told me how much the Gladden estate was and what the asking price was for the house on Second Street. The Second Street building will be more in the price range. We’re supposed to go through both on Sunday. As for the former community center, there’s no way. I can’t swing the rent for it for a week just to use it…let alone taking over the building.”

Michael rubbed his crotch on Tristan’s and draped his arms around Tristan’s shoulders. “Who said we needed the community center? Start small and build it up. Get the thing solid, then worry about adding on.”

“Jamie.” As soon as he said the name, he wished he’d kept his mouth shut. “Sorry.”

Michael froze. He sagged on Tristan’s lap. “I see.”

“Don’t get upset about him. He suggested it when we read through the will. He had a lot of ideas and I wrote them down. I liked yours better and agree with you.” He palmed Michael’s ass. “Hey. I didn’t ask Jamie to move in with me. I asked you because I likeyou.I want you here. Not him.”

“I know.”

“I don’t think you do.” He slid his hands into Michael’s back pockets. “You’ve got it in your head I’m going to dump you. I’m going to decide I don’t want to be here and I’ll pull up roots to go back to New York. I’ve thought about it, but I can’t see being there when you’re not. I want to be where you are.” He pulled Michael forward, forcing Michael to look him in the eye. “I get it. You’ve been shafted in the past and you’re worried. I would be if I were you. Hell, I am and I’m not you. I have a reputation for screwing people over, but when I look in your eyes I want to be better than that.”

“I know,” Michael murmured.

“I need you to trust me.” He cupped Michael’s jaw. “It’s hard and scary. You have no reason to believe I’m a man of my word.”

“But you are?”

“I am.”

Michael closed his eyes. “I don’t trust. It’s hard.”

Tristan nodded. “I know, baby. I wouldn’t trust me, either.”

“You don’t understand. After your uncle, I tried to date again. Some of the guys were okay. A few were horrible for me. Then I met Ian. I thought he was the one. I loved him. We were together for six years. For me, that was an eternity. I settled into a good life with him.” Michael pulled away from Tristan. “Then things changed.”

“What?” He led Michael to the sofa. “Sit with me.”

Michael collapsed on the couch. “Christ, I hate angst, but that’s all I seem to be lately.” He sighed. “Ian walked out. One day he was there and the next he was gone. I didn’t understand why. I called him, went to his work…nothing. Then he showed up at the library. He hadn’t wanted our life together. He wanted to be with someone else. He’d been doing that guy during the last year of our relationship, but he couldn’t tell me because he wanted to be sure the thing with his new love was good before he moved out.”

Michael’s words were jumbled together, but Tristan caught everything. “He used you for a place to stay.”

“Yeah.” Michael scrubbed both hands over his face. “I don’t trust myself to find the right guy. I know how I feel about you, but I’m worried I’ll ignore my gut and stay where I’m not wanted.”

“I want you.”

“I’m not sure you won’t change your mind,” Michael said.

“I want you, though.” He wasn’t sure what to say to fix this. “I’m following my heart and using my head. It’s usually one or the other. I’ve never felt so comfortable with my decision, either. I’m writing more. We’ve got the house fifty percent in order and we’re looking good to finish the rest of it in the next week.”

Michael disengaged from him. “But you’ve forgotten the center.”

“No. I’d like a base camp here at the house and for it to be set up before I work on the center.”

Michael bowed his head. “I’m not sure.”

“I know. I wouldn’t trust me if I were you, but I’m begging. I love you.” He’d taken a huge step and prided himself on being honest. His stomach hadn’t lurched when he’d said the words and he wasn’t instantly regretting it.

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