Page 62 of Joey

“Hey,” Joey said, stepping into the bedroom. “I heard you on the phone, so I gave you some space. Everything okay?”

Ethan leaned against Joey’s arm and smiled. “I’m using my holiday as my notice period, so I don’t have to go back. I’ve also told her about David. She’s going to look into it.”

Joey slid his arm around him, and Ethan sighed. “Wow. I was expecting to have to part with you for a few weeks while you finished up there.”

“Me, too. The only thing I really need to go back for is to pack up the house and get it on the market. I’m sure Dad and Mum will help if I need anything during the sale.”

He’d spoken to his mother late the previous evening, and although groggy, she sounded in good spirits. It lessened the worry about her, but he still hadn’t spoken to Kole. He’d received a few messages from Christi, though, updating him as much as she could. He had done his tour the previous evening, and Christi had sent him a thumbs up, so he believed it went okay.

So many things were happening at once.

“I would offer to slow time down, but I don’t think that would help,” Joey said with a chuckle.

Ethan laughed. “I didn’t even realise I’d said that out loud.” His stomach growled, and he pressed his palm against it. “Oh god. Has breakfast gone cold?”

“No, I put it in the oven. It’ll still be hot enough.”

“Okay, let me get dressed.” Ethan moved to stand, but Joey grabbed his arm and tugged him to the bed.

“I can think of something much better to do with this towel.” Joey growled and kissed him, and Ethan let himself be distracted—because who wouldn’t if they had a “Joey” in their arms?

An hour later, their breakfast was far crisper than Ethan liked, but he ate it anyway. Joey had offered to make some more, but Ethan declined. No point wasting food, especially as his stomach was churning enough about meeting his parents. He hadn’t thought about how nerve-wracking it was when he’d taken Joey to meet his. He felt like he needed to apologise again, but Joey wouldn’t have it.

“You don’t have to worry about it, you know,” Joey said, proving he was a mind reader.

Ethan chuckled. “That transparent, am I?”

“Not really. I’m just getting to know you.” Joey leaned his head down onto Ethan’s shoulder. “They’re lovely people. Much like your own. I’m sure they would get on well together.” Joey hummed. “Maybe too well. We might need to keep them apart.”

Ethan snorted. “Two of my mum? Definitely.”

“I suppose there is one thing. If we ever get married, we won’t have to do anything.”

Ethan’s heart raced at the thought of marrying Joey. They’d barely known each other, but the idea wasn’t as far-fetched as he would’ve thought at another point in his life. He glanced down at Joey, imagining their lives completely intertwined forevermore, and it wasn’t a bad thought.

Joey lifted his head. “Are you thinking how it sounds too sudden or too right?”

The man’s bright gaze met his, and there was no hesitation. Ethan realised that if Joey asked him to marry him right then, he would’ve said yes. How crazy was that?

“Both,” Ethan answered.

A smile crept across Joey’s face. “Duly noted.” He sighed. “I really need to start getting up earlier again. I’ve not jogged or done weights for days. But I’m finding I don’t want to leave my bed for some reason.” He winked.

“Same with me and yoga,” Ethan said.

“You definitely need to do yoga again. Definitely.”

They spent the next couple of hours talking about what needed to be done for Ethan to join Joey in London and what Joey’s schedule looked like over the next couple of weeks. Ethan would need to return to Whitby sooner rather than later to get some more things. He’d only brought one bag, after all. They decided he would drive back on Tuesday and grab whatever was essential and could fit in his car, and he would return on Thursday so he could spend a night each with his friends and family. Joey was due to visit Bath on Tuesday and Cardiff on Wednesday, so it was the perfect time. The next time Joey travelled, Ethan would be going with him. It was a crazy but exciting thought.

The drive to Joey’s parents took around an hour. They were on the outskirts of London in a lovely detached house that should’ve scared Ethan with its size. He was used to Joey being so down-to-earth despite his money, and he hoped his parents were the same.

“They’ll love you. I promise.”

Joey snuck a kiss as they headed, hand in hand, to the front door, which was opened by a butler—there was no mistaking who it was. He even wore the uniform.

“Good afternoon, Master Joey. Your parents are in the lounge.”

“Thank you, Percy. I’d like you to meet my boyfriend, Ethan.”