Page 40 of Seamus's Basement
His teeth were chattering, and he was shaking too hard to speak.
Seamus immediately pulled him onto his lap and wrapped his arms around him, holding him tightly.
“Thank you, Richard. I owe you.”
“I was doing my job. And hopefully this’ll make up for how I acted that one night, DJ.”
He wanted to tell him he was grateful, but he couldn’t get the words out.
“I think he’s a bit overwhelmed right now but stop by the bar later and we’ll buy you a drink and thank you properly.” Seamus combed his fingers through DJ’s hair. “Thanks again.”
Once the call ended, Seamus set the phone down and looked at him. “You okay?” He dragged the blanket up and draped it over his shoulders.
“I don’t know.”
Seamus held him quietly, giving him space to process.
“This has been going on for so long, and deep down, I thought it’d never stop, and I get that the sheriff knows what he’s doing but it’s like I can’t really believe it’s over.”
“That makes sense. It’ll take time for your brain and your body to catch up to the change.” He caressed DJ’s cheek and gazed down at him affectionately. “It took me a little while to do the same thing when it came to you.”
“What do you mean?”
“I was so certain that I never wanted to get married that I left my family and the community and moved to the other side of the country. I had built a good life here and I was happy and I thought this was it, this would be the rest of my life. And then suddenly, in one day, all that changed.” He traced DJ’s lip withhis thumb. “Even that first night, I think I knew. I could feel something different when we were together. When you agreed to marry me to make my parents happy, I realized I was happy about it too. But I didn’t know why until we spent more time together. Eventually, I figured it out, but even then, I had no idea what to do about it.”
“Seems like you figured that out too.” DJ put his hand on Seamus’s chest and smiled up at him. “You figured it out really, really well.”
“I sure did. And you’ll figure out this new freedom the same way. No more looking over your shoulder all the time and working yourself to the bone to pay an endless debt.” He brushed the back of his fingers across DJ’s hairline, looking as relieved as DJ felt.
“I don’t know what I’ll do with all that free time.”
“I have some suggestions.” Seamus grinned.
“Do you now?” DJ draped his arms over Seamus’s shoulders. “Are they the dirty kind? Will you tell me about them in graphic detail?” He gasped in surprise when Seamus suddenly tipped them over and lay on top of him.
“Your wish is my command.” His eyes sparkled with happiness. “But I require payment in the form of kisses.”
That was one debt he’d happily pay for the rest of his life. He cupped his hands over Seamus’s beard and pulled him down. “You got it.”
“Are you staying in town for Christmas?” Lucas asked as he picked up his martini and twisted to the side on his barstool.
That’s what he had done every year since he moved to Hope, but now, things were different. “Actually, I’m going to see my family.” DJ took a sip of his beer. “Meet my niece and nephew in person.” And do the same with his in-laws.
“That sucks.”
DJ laughed. “I want to spend time with them.”
“You’re finally taking a vacation, and youwantto spend it with small children?” Lucas shook his head. “That’s literally unbelievable. As in, I don’t believe it. I suggest you go somewhere with a beach and find a man to hook up with instead. That way you’ll be the good kind of sticky instead of the gross kind.”
He flicked his gaze to Seamus, who was serving a beer to someone a few seats down. They had talked about sharing their new relationship status with everyone, but for now, DJ wasn’t ready. Between resolving his years-long personal issues, having an actual relationship, marrying and moving in with a man, and quitting his jobs, he’d had a lot of change in a short period of time. He didn’t want to deal with people’s questions and opinions until he fully adjusted himself and, in the meantime, he was enjoying keeping things between the two of them private.
“I’m not big on the water, actually,” he told Lucas.
“Then go somewhere snowy and fuck a ski instructor.”
“Don’t like the cold much either.” He smirked.
“Listen, babe, I know you’ve developed a very intimate relationship with your toys, but try as you might, you’re never going to be able to eat your own ass. It’s time to find you a man.”
