Page 22 of Feels Like Home

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Jace drove his Camry, following behind Ian’s Navigator. At first, he thought Ian had taken a wrong turn onto a private driveway, with all of the dense trees looming around them.

But Jace’s brows shot up when they gave way, revealing a breathtaking home nestled among the trees.

The canopies loomed over the one-story flat-roofed home that was constructed of dark plank wood, accented with brick columns and walls in varying shades of gray. Floor-to-ceiling windows reflected the surrounding foliage, making it seem like the house was a natural extension of the forest.

The dark plank flat deck, which seemed to be around ten feet wide and thirty feet long, was flush with the grass, a small edge separating the two, making it appear seamlessly blended into the natural landscape.

On the deck was light gray furniture, complete with puffy cushions. Enormous potted plants were strategically placed between the couch and large chair.

Jace couldn’t even begin to imagine how much it must have cost to own such a luxurious property. Ian had said he’d been a pro snowboarder for ten years. It must have paid well if he owned this property.

Jace parked next to Ian on the side of the house where a three-car garage stood. It was made of the same dark plank and varying shades of gray. No glass.

Totally thrown, Jace got out and just stood there taking everything in.

It’s just a house. Beautiful, but just a house.

“This way.” Ian led him around the garage and onto the deck.

Jace inhaled the pine scent from the forest as Ian opened the front door and led him inside.

“You don’t lock your door?” If Jace owned it, he would have about fifteen different locks, booby traps, and a pack of guard dogs roaming around.

“I used my phone to unlock it.”

Technology never ceased to amaze Jace. Smart homes, smart cars, smart appliances in a world that still couldn’t figure out how to stop chips from getting stuck in vending machines.

When Jace walked inside, he found the interior was just as stunning. The place smelled good, too.

“You have a pet?” Jace asked when he saw a few short, black hairs on the tan couch cushion. He doubted it was a dog since Ian had been with him since yesterday.

“I tend to shed.” Ian went into the open-area kitchen and grabbed two bottled waters from his refrigerator.

Shedding didn’t make any sense since Ian had light brown hair. It was a little darker in some places, but it definitely wasn’t black.

“Here.” Ian handed him one of the waters.

Jace took it while fighting an urge to leave. Ian’s home was beautiful, but unfamiliar. It was too pristine. No folded laundry on the end of the couch or throw pillows fallen to the floor. No spices congesting the counter because his mom was cooking. No shoes placed neatly on the steps, though, to be fair, Ian didn’t have any steps.

Jace’s house was cozy chaos, a sense of warmth and liveliness filling the space. Ian’s house reminded him of a showroom, meticulously organized, creating an unnerving sense of order.

That wasn’t fair. Not everyone enjoyed cozy messiness and not everyone liked immaculate and polished to a shine. Jesus. The glossy floors reflected a lot of sun.

Ian took his hand and led him to the couch. Jace sat stiffly on the edge, afraid to mess anything up.

“How bad is it getting?” Ian touched Jace’s back.

“You can tell?” He turned and concentrated on whiskey-colored eyes. The warmth and depth. The concern overflowing in their richness.

“I’ve had snowboards less stiff than you are right now.” Ian pulled Jace backward into the crook of his side then circled his arms around him.

Jace breathed out slowly, trying to relax the rigidness away, hating what he’d become.

Too afraid to let go and enjoy life. Breaking out into a cold sweat whenever he opened his mouth. The way his family sometimes looked at him as if missing the carefree boy he once was.

Jace missed that boy, too.

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