The guys cackle, and I set the final glass down hard enough that they all actually look at me.
“Can I get you guys anything else?”
The four guys exchange looks and then the one with the crush shakes his head. “Nah, man, we’re good.”
I spin on my heel and stomp to the bar. How dare they be so disrespectful of Stewart. I tug on my beard, filled with frustration. I want to set them straight, but they don’t deserve to know how amazing Stewart is. If they knew he was locked down would they still talk like that about him? I’m ready to flip a table to defend my man.
My man.
My breath catches in my throat. Fuck. The guys are right. I’m absolutely fucking gone over Stewart.
“Kit.”
I flinch, turning to see Indy. “Yeah?”
“What’s going on? You’ve been standing here like a statue for a solid minute with one pissed off look on your face. You okay?”
I shake my head. “No. Yes.” I rub my forehead. “Wow.”
“You’re not making any sense, dude.”
“I’m in love with him. I’m actually completely in love with Stewart.”
He pats my arm. “Welcome to the club.”
“What do I do now?”
“Tell him? Worked out pretty good for me.”
“Tell him.” I swallow down the tightness in my throat. “Just… say the words?”
Indy nods, smiling. “Yeah.” He squeezes my shoulder. “Go. We got it under control.”
“Are you sure? It’s so busy.”
“I’m sure, man. You’re pretty worthless right now anyway.”
I laugh, pulling him into a hug. “Thanks.”
“Another one bites the dust,” Salem sings from behind me. “Love it.”
I shake my head, but I’m already halfway down the hall to grab my coat. This is it. I’m gonna tell Stewart that I’m in love with him and I have no plans to let him go.
I make it home in record time, darting around people crowding the sidewalks. When I enter the house, I inhale, picking up on his subtle scent still lingering in the foyer. I kick off my shoes and coat and take the stairs two at a time, swinging my bedroom door open when I reach it.
Stewart is splayed out on my bed, naked as requested, with the blankets only covering part of him. He’s holding a book and wearing reading glasses. He looks up at me and smiles.
“You’re early.”
A thousand words cloud my brain all at once. There are so many things I want to say to him, but all that comes out is one simple phrase.
“I’m in love with you.”
His face goes blank for a second. “Wh-what?”
Stepping forward slowly, I exhale, feeling more sure of myself this time. “I’m in love with you, Stewart. I’m absolutely gone over you. I needed you to know.”
“You’re…” His bottom lip quivers as he drops the book. “You’re in love with me?”