Page 53 of Falling Faster
I grip the strap on my bag as I stare at Craig. Part of me still can't believe this man was ready to uproot his life for me. But maybe I can, since I'm ready to do the same thing. "So… I'm moving to LA."
He nods and smiles. "Big changes."
My heartbeat flutters faster as the reality of my decision fully sinks in. I think about his offer for me to stay with him. It's where I want to be. "The biggest. Are we changing too?"
His fingers twisting the leather strap encircling his wrist, Craig bites his lip and his searching gaze roams my face. "The past two months, really getting to know you, has been incredible. I've never felt this way about anyone before, Ty. I want to call you my boyfriend. To keep exploring what we have together. To experience more with each other. To be there to support each other through the good and the bad and everything in between."
There's an ache in my chest, a yearning for everything he's said. "I want all of that."
He releases a breath and his hold on the bracelet, and there's an ease in his movements as he slides his arm around my shoulders. "Good."
I grab my sketchbook, the one I bought with him in LA, from my bag. "I want to show you something. How often you've been on my mind since we met. I got this book that day. It's filled with you. Us."
Craig flips through the book. Sketches of him dressed as Batman, and the two of us in our costumes visiting the foundation are first. Followed by more sketches of Craig with his guitar on stage and at home, another of him sitting at his piano, and another of him in the hotel room's bed. There's a sketch of us at the beach. One of our hands linked together. And the final image is of the two of us together in anembrace, sketched from a photo Slater took at the launch party.
He traces his finger over the page. "I love them all, but that last one is my favorite."
"Mine too." I quickly tuck away the sketchbook, and then grasp Craig's hand. "I've fallen faster for you than anyone ever."
He slowly draws me against his chest. "It was a free-fall for me from the moment we met, and I've never been happier."
Our lips touch, and the connection radiates throughout my body. I slide my arms around my boyfriend and hold tight. In the circle of his embrace, everything seems brighter and better, in my world and in my heart.
After a long moment, Craig lifts his head. "On my way here, I was thinking about us staying at Devon's house and how we could use the rooms, where you'd draw and I'd create music. I walked through it with the guys, and could see everything so clearly. But now, I'm thinking about my apartment in LA and how I can rearrange the music room at home. Create a spot for you that gets great lighting by the windows. I can picture you sketching there at a drafting table or on a couch, and me writing lyrics or playing my guitar or piano and looking up and seeing you there, sharing my space."
Planning a future for us together, I wholeheartedly approve. "I can't wait to share it with you."
Smiling, Craig strokes his fingers along my back. "Cody, Patrick, and Devon will be stoked it worked out this way. You have no idea what this means to me."
"I think I have some idea." The depth of my emotions for him catches in my throat. I clear it, and I'm sure what I feel for him is shining in my eyes. "After all, you were ready to uproot your life for me."
"Totally worth it." He trails his fingers through my hair, and everything in his gaze tells me this is real, and this will last. "Ready to go share our news with them?"
I stretch up and kiss him again, sharing all of the hope, enthusiasm, and happiness overflowing from my heart. "I'm ready for anything."
CHAPTER TWELVE
TY
"Two beers." I raise my voice, competing with the pulsing music and conversations from the costumed partygoers crowding the bar. My reflection in the mirrored wall behind the bar catches my attention. The Riddler costume is new, fits me perfectly, and is a good match for Craig's Batman. I love the way we look together. Even though we didn't win the couples costume contest.
While I wait for the drinks, I scan the room. Strands of orange twinkling lights crisscross the ceiling in a spider web pattern. Glittery purple bats and orange pumpkins hang at various heights from wires. Bowls in the shape of shiny black cauldrons containing mixtures of candy are spread throughout the room.
The Halloween party, a fundraiser hosted by the comic book store to support art lessons at the local community center, grows in size every year. With the upcoming move to LA, I wonder if I'll be back here for next year's party, or if we'll start a new tradition in LA.
I pay, waving for the bartender to keep the change, then collect the cold bottles and weave my way through the crowd.There are a few witches, zombies, and scary clowns, but for the most part, the attendees' outfits span the wide array of comic book universe characters.
A huge, neon orange Happy Halloween sign hanging on the white brick wall casts a warm glow over my group of friends. Slater and Noah, who won the couples contest dressed as Superman and Lex Luthor, chat with Craig, Devon, Cody, and Patrick.
Craig glances up from his conversation with Slater and welcomes me with a smile and an arm around my waist. "Thanks for the drink."
Cradling my beer, I lean into his side. In the costume, my boyfriend is as dashing as the very first time I saw him. "What did I miss?"
"Nothing. Just chatting about the hockey game."
"It was a great one." Craig and I, along with Devon, attended the action-packed afternoon game with tickets Slater and Noah gifted us. The entire game had been a flurry of flying pucks and flying fists. Noah scored two goals, Slater won a fight, and the team got the win. The conclusion of the first month of hockey season has the Bedlam sitting at the top of the standings.
Slater pauses in the act of peeling the purple foil wrapper away from a piece of chocolate candy. "I'm glad the game was this afternoon and not tonight. Between hockey games and practices for us, Craig's band going on tour, and you guys getting ready for the move to LA, we've barely seen you this month."
