Page 34 of Finding Ash
“Good to know, though I’m not sure I can add that quote to the website,” he winked. “Don’t forget, we have dinner withla familiaon Sunday night. Mom promisesto be on her best behavior.” Ash rolled his eyes at Kit. “I thought the same thing. Alright, we’ll see you guys soon. Ash, thanks for doing the laundry.”
“No problem. Let’s go before our food gets cold.”
Ash hopped into the truck with McClain, all the seats in my little car were filled with my crap, so there was nowhere for him to sit. Mom had brought the rest of the stuff from my old bedroom with her, so I was now officially a Foggian, or whatever Ash had determined the locals should be called. I hope he chooses well and remembers he’s now one too.
I followed behind them in my car back to the shop. McClain unlocked the back door, then propped a five-gallon bucket against it to hold it open. “I know crime is low here but let’s not tempt fate with your expensive equipment. Burgers can be reheated.”
“Agreed.”
Ash came back down after he dropped off the food and while he unloaded the stuff from my car, McClain and I carried up the monitors. “Jesus, let’s remember no stairs for our next place.”
“Next place?” I asked. “What did you have in mind?” I’d already been stashing my money away to save for a house, but with three of us going in on one, it would be a lot more affordable.
“House, nearby of course. It would be nice to have a bit more room to spread out and a spare room for guests. Maybe around the first of the new year we can look?”
“I’d like that though I really enjoy only having to walk downstairs to start work in the morning,” Ash said as he zoomed past us and up the stairs.
“Show off!” McClain called after him. “That boy has a lot of energy.”
“That’s because you fill him full of sugar all day.”
“Says he who has the Dr. Pepper addiction.”
Yeah, he got me on that one.
For some reason it took us a lot longer to load up my stuff than it did to unload it, though the majority of it currently resided in our living room.
“Let’s eat, I’m starving.” At least we got an early start today, which gave me plenty of time to get things sorted and put away and all my gaming systems and monitors hooked up before they went to bed. I’d have to remember to keep my voice down when working at night. Though my hours may have to change. Sleeping without my guys would suck, which meant I had to acclimate to daytime work hours.
“Were you guys serious about house hunting?” Ash asked, eyes wide, though I wasn’t sure if it was in interest or fear.
“I am,” I said. “I’ve been tucking away all my money for a place of my own, but this will be so much better with both of you.”
“Agreed.” McClain took a sip of his drink and paused for a moment. I wondered what was on that handsome mind of his. “The apartment is included with the monthly shop rent, so the money I made from selling the house in Sacramento sits in the bank earning interest. Nothing in Foggy is a far walk, but I don’t want to rent. I want a place of our own that the three of us can put our stamp on.”
Ash nervously shifted. “I um, I don’t have a lot of money, but I’d like to contribute in some way.”
McClain leaned over and kissed his forehead. “Honey, you already contribute, and not all contributions or being part of a relationship come in a monetary form. The way the two of you jump in and help downstairs is worth its weight in gold to me.” Ash blushed. “Of course, you’re on the payroll now too. Maybe you handle the decorating? I’m shit at that.”
“Ditto. All votes for Ash to decorate, raise your hands.” McClain and I shot our hands in the air, and Ash giggled. “Unanimous.”
“That’s something I’ve always dreamed of.”
“We are all a piece of this poly pie,” McClain winked at us, “and we each bring something different to the relationship,but together we work perfectly. You are now deemed our resident decorator!”
“Agreed!” McClain had a way with words I’d likely never possess, but it was exactly what Ash needed to hear. “I can’t wait to see what magic you weave.”
After dinner, Ash cleaned up, then put my clothes away while McClain and I finished the office. By the time we had everything done, the three of us were ready to pass out.
“One thing our new place must have is a bathroom and shower built for three.” It took forever for us to get ready for bed each night, and the last body ended up with a half-cold shower.
“And an on-demand water heater,” McClain added. Generally, he was the last one.
“We should keep a list of things we want,” Ash suggested. “All on one spreadsheet,” he side-eyed our spreadsheet boyfriend, McClain. That guy tracked everything—literally.
“Another great suggestion. Tomorrow night the three of us will sit down and get it started.” McClain wouldn’t wait now that the mental wheels were engaged. I seriously loved them both, quirks and all.
“Three bedrooms would work, though four might be nice too.” Now my mind was whirling with ideas. “Maybe Merle knows of a local contractor?”
