Page 118 of All Roads Lead to You

We hung out for another hour, smoking and talking more about the trip and our plans once we were back in school.

“I guess we should get back.”

“Yeah.”

When I started to walk off, he grabbed my arm. “Wait… Listen, Logan. You and Nick won’t always have it easy, but I wish you two the best. I’m so glad you finally found someone to love and who loves you back. You deserve it.”

“Thanks, Hunt. That means a lot.”

He huffed a laugh. “Maybe one day, I’ll find someone to put up with my weirdness.”

“You will. One day, someone will see what an amazing person you are.”

The funeral had been held in the historical Vienna Presbyterian Church. The McKnights weren’t overly religious, but it was what Hunter’s grandparents wanted.

It was weird to see Hunter wearing a suit, but at least it was in black because I couldn’t imagine him in any other color.

During the service, I sat with my parents and Nick at my side, wearing a navy suit and a red paisley tie.

I wanted so much to hold Nick’s hand, but it was Mia who grabbed my hand instead.

“You hanging in there, sweetheart?” she whispered.

I was until she asked me, making my eyes water, but I nodded. “Yeah.”

I’d already thanked her for all she did for Hunter and his family. She’d rallied the neighborhood to help feed them and keep their house clean. That was the beauty of a small town.

After the service, there was a reception at Hunter’s house that Mia also helped to organize, so the McKnights only had to worry about showing up. God, I’d have to do something nice for her and appreciate her more.

When the reception wrapped up, Hunter and I talked for a bit longer with Nick by my side, but Hunter was emotionally exhausted and sent us home so he could go to bed early. At least he had plans to fly back to Berkeley with me, needing to get a break far away from here.

I gave my condolences to Mr. McKnight and hugged little Julia before I left with Nick.

While I tossed and turned later that night, Nick snuck into my room and crawled into bed with me.

“Can’t sleep?”

I shook my head and nuzzled my face into his throat, gripping the hell out of him, worried that if I let go, he’d float away from me forever.

“I can’t either.”

“I’m going to tell them tomorrow. Are you still with me?”

“Always.”

Nick pulled away and slid down my body, pulling down my underwear. He wasted no time in getting me hard and coming. The relief was fleeting, but it was enough to make me sleepy.

He lay back down with me, pulled me against him, and I held him all night long, grateful for his presence and helping me keep my shit together.

“Who do you belong to?” he asked.

I chuckled, more at ease now, thanks to Nick. “You.”

“That’s right. And I belong to you.”

We were all sitting at the dinner table the next night, but I wasn’t hungry, picking at my food. I’d spent the entire day rehashing what I’d planned to say to them. Everything sounded worse than the next. But it was all going to be shit regardless, so in the end, it really didn’t matter how I said it.

Dad and Mia quietly ate dinner while Hannah sat in her highchair, shoving a handful of spaghetti noodles into her mouth, making a mess while Nick kept giving me worried looks.

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