Page 48 of Joey

He was making some notes when Ani said, “You do realise if you ever get married, you’ll have to have a huge wedding, don’t you?”

Ethan stared at her, mouth gaping. “What?”

****

Chapter 14

Joey

“He seems like a nice guy,” Beck said when Ethan disappeared.

“He is.” Joey shook his head. “I have no idea how I found him when I did, but I’m not letting go now unless I have to.”

“What does he say about that?”

Joey grinned. “He’s willing to travel with me. To work as an assistant if it fits what he enjoys doing.”

“He’s giving up Whitby?” Beck raised his eyebrows.

“He’s willing to.”

“And what about you? What do you want?”

Joey smiled. “To make Ethan happy.”

Beck laughed and shoved him away. “You sappy shit.”

“When you meet your man, you’ll know what I mean.”

Beck scoffed and held up his hands. “No way, man. I’m staying free and single forever. No chains keeping me from being free.”

Joey didn’t reply. Instead, he changed the subject to the event Beck wanted to talk about, and they went through the plans to make sure everything was in place. As Beck turned to leave, Joey stopped him.

“I felt the same way, remember? Look at me now.”

The corner of Beck’s mouth curled. “It’s not for me.” He nodded and left, closing the door behind him.

Joey had a feeling the man would eat his words one day, and Joey would be there to rub it in. As he tidied away the documents they’d been looking through, Ethan came back.

“Did you get everything you needed?”

Ethan nodded. “I think I’d enjoy it. At the very least, I’m happy to give it a try. I won’t ever leave you in the lurch, so if I didn’t enjoy it, I wouldn’t leave until you’d found someone you could trust to take over.” He slid his arms around Joey, staring into his eyes, and Joey couldn’t look away. “I think this could work, Joey.”

Joey blinked at the sudden burning in his eyes, and he buried his head in Ethan’s neck. “I hope so.”

****

After spending the remainder of the previous afternoon and evening together—without any of his friends bothering them—they lazed in bed the next morning. Joey had a fitful night’s sleep and had woken several times. Each time, Ethan wrapped himself around him and soothed him back to sleep, but Joey felt bad for disturbing him.

He skimmed his fingers along Ethan’s arm, where it draped across Joey’s stomach. Ethan’s head rested on his chest, his warm breaths puffing over his nipples. Although they had spoken about Ethan’s choice at length, Joey still couldn’t believe he was willing to walk away from his life in Whitby.

“Are you sure, Ethan?” he asked for probably the hundredth time.

Ethan chuckled, and Joey couldn’t help but smile in response. “I’m sure. It’s not like we’re moving to another country, Joey. I can still visit everyone.”

“I know. It’s just a big step.”

“It is. But it’s one I’m willing to take.”

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