Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 84085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
“No, my worry is that I’ve offered to give all this craziness up,” Charlie interrupted before Stephen could say anything else. “To return to the States. He can set up a practice and we’ll buy a house together. A normal life.”
“Oh. That’s…wow…that’s not what I expected. Are you sure that’s what you want?” Stephen replied, skepticism heavy in his voice.
“Of course. I want a life with Will. The longest period of time when I was happy was when we were together. This whole trip has been a nightmare, but I’m having the time of my life because I wake up every day to see Will. Even when he’s pissed at me, I’m happy.”
Will’s heart did a happy somersault, but his joy wilted a little with Stephen’s not-so-happy noise. “What did he say?”
“That he didn’t want to give it up. That he wanted to travel with us and join me in this insane life I have.”
Fuck. Now Will was confused. Why didn’t Charlie sound happy about that? Shouldn’t he be happy to continue the life he enjoyed with Will at his side? Did he not want to share this life with Will?
“Charlie, don’t you see that you’re making the same mistake all over again?” Stephen murmured.
“No, I’m not. In Paris, I lied about who I was and what I was doing. Since we’ve met in Argentina, I’ve told him all about my old job and told him what we’re doing now. I’m not hiding anything from him,” Charlie countered.
“Yes, the lying and secrets were a big problem, but that wasn’t the only one. In Paris, you weren’t willing or able to include him in your old life. You’re doing that now. You’re trying to change your current life to suit what you think he wants. But has he said that he wants to go to the States and settled down into this so-called normal life you’ve envisioned? No, he has told you that he wants to be included in your current life.” Stephen sounded like he wanted to strangle his brother. Will wouldn’t be surprised if Charlie had woken him up for this call.
“Stephen, this shit is dangerous. How could he want that?”
“I don’t know. Why do you? From what you’ve told me, he’s no stranger to a dangerous lifestyle. If it bothers you that much, you work with him so he’s better protected from the dangers.”
“What if he changes his mind? What if he decides this isn’t the life that he wants?” Charlie asked, his voice so low that Will could barely hear.
“Then he changes his mind. People do that all the time,” Stephen argued. “You’ve already said that you’d give it up with him. Does that offer have an expiration date? No. You try this for a while, and if it doesn’t work, you try something else. That’s what happens in a relationship.”
“Yeah, yeah. It’s not like I’ve had a lot of practice at these,” Charlie grumbled.
Will finally pulled the door open and stepped onto the front porch. “That’s why we talk about things. Like adults. No more hiding. No more lying. And no more secrets.”
Charlie jumped up from where he was sitting on the concrete stairs and whipped around. “Shit. Will.”
“Hey, Will,” Stephen called out from where Charlie had him on speakerphone.
“Hey, Stephen. Good to hear your voice,” Will replied, smirking at Charlie’s shocked expression.
“You too. But it sounds like you’ve got a handle on this. I’ll leave you to deal with Charlie. I’m going back to bed for a couple of hours.”
“Thanks, Stephen. I’m sure we’ll talk soon.” Charlie’s brother ended the call with a chuckle, leaving him alone with his wayward boyfriend.
Will closed the door quietly behind him and crossed the short wooden porch to place his arms on Charlie’s shoulders. The man had been sitting outside in jeans and a hoodie, while Will had only pulled on a pair of pajama pants and a T-shirt. Cold air nipped at his bare toes, but it was already forgotten as he pressed his lips to Charlie’s.
“What are you doing up?” Charlie asked as he moved his mouth to nibble at Will’s jaw.
“I woke up alone and came to find you. Did you really call a shrink for relationship advice?” Will teased.
“I called my brother.” Charlie’s voice dipped into more of a pouting grumble. “But it’s the truth. I don’t know what I’m doing, Will. I’m terrified of fucking this up.”
Will’s heart whimpered and offered up a little sob. He knew the feeling, but they weren’t going to make it if Charlie was walking on eggshells and Will was clinging to all the walls around his heart, just waiting for Charlie to hurt him again.
“Come here,” Will murmured. He pulled out of Charlie’s embrace and moved him so they could sit side by side on the stairs while the sun crept higher into the brightening sky. When Charlie was seated next to him, Will threaded their fingers together and rested his head on Charlie’s shoulder. “You are going to fuck this up. It’s as inevitable as the sun rising. I’m going to fuck this up. At some point, I’m going to make you so mad, you can’t even look at me. But you’re not going to leave me because of that. You love me too much.”