Page 82 of Provoking the Punter

“Sorting through this, I realized that I love you. And because of that, I need to do this. I need to become accustomed to being seen with you and what that means. If people don’t like it, they can stew in their hate. Fuck ’em.”

Garrett rested his forehead against Chester’s, relief and happiness filling his heart. “I love you, too, and I’m so glad you said it first, so you didn’t tell me I was rushing.”

Chester gave a soft laugh, and Garrett’s lips curved.

“That was lovely guys,” the photographer said.

Garrett exhaled. Could they not have a moment?

Chester stepped back and turned to the photographer. His voice was pleasant but sharp. “That was not for the media.”

The photographer walked over and showed Chester the picture.

Chester frowned. “That is actually really nice, Garrett?”

The photographer turned the screen to him.

It was a good picture. He saw what Chester meant about his smile, and it was pretty damn obvious. “I’m okay with it being used, but we should work through Caitlin’s list.”

Chester took his hand as if to remind him they’d work through this together no matter what, and led him to the table set for two. The food was cold, but it was for show. “Do you need to go in today?”

“No… Are you working?”

“I am writing a job ad for an assistant manager, then I’m taking the rest of the day off.”

Garrett lifted his eyebrows. That was big.

Chester leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, “To help you move.”

It took a heartbeat for Garrett to realize that meant he was moving in with Chester. He couldn’t have wiped the smile away if he’d tried. He wanted to lean over and kiss him, but settled for placing his hand over Chester’s as his heart spun out of control. “I knew you liked broccoli for breakfast.”

Chester shook his head, laughing, and Garrett joined in, unable to resist.

CHAPTER

THIRTY

“Are you sure about this?” Garrett asked for the third time. The first two times had been as they’d packed up his hotel room. Now he stood in the doorway with a box in his arms and a bag slung over his shoulder.

“Yes. I’m sure things will be messy for a bit, but I want more than Mondays and fitting in around the edges.” He’d always tried to fit his relationships around everything else, another way he kept his lovers at a safe distance.

He unlocked the door. “I cleared space in the wardrobe last night.”

“You weren’t sleeping either?” Garrett stepped into the house.

“I wasn’t sleeping because I realized what I needed to do, and I wanted to get it done.”

“What if I’d said no because you’re moving too fast?” Garrett set the box down in the living room.

“It was still done. I know you want my kitchen… and that you go after what you want with no fear.”

“There’s fear, but I try not to give it space to breathe.” He placed a kiss on Chester’s lips and took the bag off him, then jogged up the stairs to drop his clothes in the bedroom.

Chester brought in another box instead of following. There hadn’t been much to pack. Garrett’s entire life could fit into his car.

Garrett walked down the stairs, phone in his hand and looking far too serious.

“What’s wrong?” Were people already making negative comments?

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