Page 78 of Cohesion

“Right. That’s super comforting.”

“Isn’t it?”

Peyton tensed when the lock flicked on the door, relaxing only when Will came through with a beaming smile.

“I’m here! I’m not late!”

“Are you going somewhere?” Parker asked. “Can I come?”

“We’re picking up my bike from Kell.”

“Oh. Never mind, then. I have assignments to grade.”

“Uh-huh,” Peyton said knowingly, giving Parker a look that had him flipping Peyton the bird.

Will blinked. “Did I miss something?”

“Something, something whoa-oh,” Will sung along to the radio. His still-damp hair from the shower he’d taken at work before leaving the office stuck to his forehead, and a droplet slowly made its way down his cheek as he bobbed his head like an emu. “Something, something, yeah!”

Peyton snorted out a laugh. “I can’t believe you don’t know the words. Isn’t this song a classic?”

“I don’t even know the song,” Will admitted, smiling broadly. He was making it up as he went. “I like my version better.”

The corner of Peyton’s mouth lifted, softening his face. “Me too.”

If Will hadn’t been driving—and needing both hands for the stick shift—he would have kissed him. He could save it up for later, like surprise lollies in his pocket. Hisfavouritekind of lollies.

“I can’t believe Park is really sleeping with friends of Kellan’s. Isn’t that like a brother code-of-conduct thing?”

“Sure is.”

“Kellan’s a lot bigger than me. When I told Parker I’d defend him, I meant like againstbanditsand shit.”

“Bandits?”

“It’s just an example, Peyton. There’s no need to be picky.” He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. “So he’s moving out?”

“Yeah.”

“Are we… getting another roommate or…?”

“Dunno, haven’t thought about it. The salary I’m gonna get from Hunter is more than I expected, so we could afford it just the two of us. We could try the whole ‘living together as a couple’ thing?”

Will couldn’t help the smile that spread over his face. He loved the sound of that. Living together as a couple. That was what they were now, wasn’t it? Acouple.“Yeah?”

“Yeah. We could have one room together instead of two,” Peyton suggested slyly. “Push our beds together.”

“So much dirty talk going on in here.”

“Is it getting you hot?”

“A little bit, yeah.”

“We should probably talk to the others,” Peyton said.

“That’s a good idea.” It wasn’t much of a change. Just losing a roommate. But since they were all in a relationship together, those conversations happened together, didn’t they?

There was a free parking spot on the slope leading to Peyton’s brother’s auto shop, and Will slid his black Jeep into it with plenty of room to spare on either side. “Are you sure you’re okay to ride?” Will asked. “I know the doctor said you could, and you haven’t worn your sling for a little bit, but—”

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