Page 88 of Unwanted

Every day since, we had checked in with each other about it. Religiously. And that included Lennox, Samuel, and Rhys.

Once again, addiction had brought us all significantly closer. And I was grateful Rhys had Arlo and that Samuel and Lennox were willing to talk to me.

When I emerge into the open space, I’m surprised to see Clem walking in behind the delivery crew.

“Hey, what are you doing here?”

She walks over to me with a large iced coffee in hand and kisses me on the cheek. “What a lovely greeting.”

“You know I love you,” I tease, taking the cold beverage as my own.

“Hey,” she scolds, just as Arlo’s loud voice booms through the room.

“Can you two pause the love fest for a second and see if you like the way the living room is set up?”

Smiling, Clem rolls her eyes. “He’s a real diva, isn’t he?”

I can’t help but laugh as I take in the furnished area, because it was the new running joke.

Arlo has been so serious about the move, making sure everything, down to the type of cups we would have in the cupboard, was just right.

It was both hilarious and adorable to everybody else, but I knew deep down inside he was starting from scratch.

He’s being particular and pedantic because he’s earned the right to be. He was building the life he was owed and never given.

A life he was able to live for himself.

A life with me.

“I love it,” I tell Arlo. “The couch is the perfect size for the space. And you were right to get it covered in the dark gray fabric.”

Our apartment has two bedrooms and an open plan living and kitchen area. Only fifteen minutes away from the others, and well within our price range. Arlo and I had bought our very first home.

Everything about this was a big deal, because we were tying ourselves to one another indefinitely.

It’s everything we’ve ever wanted, and I sometimes found myself so overwhelmed with joy, wondering how some of the worst times in my life had led me here, to these moments.

He and I were no longer the kids who stumbled and fell into adulthood.

We had needs and dreams and goals, and we were making things happen.

I weaved my way through the room and wrapped my arms around Arlo, his back to my front.

“I’m thinking we lure Remy and Lennox and his guys over with food and maybe they’ll want to help us set up my office and your gym.”

“Did someone call for four strapping young men to help them with the hard stuff?”

I glance over Arlo’s shoulder and see Remy, Lennox, Samuel, and Rhys walking into the apartment with seven pizza boxes.

“Are you feeding a whole football team?” I ask, letting go of Arlo, both of us leading everyone to the kitchen area.

“Clem said to come over and bring food.” I search the room for Clem and she blows me a kiss.

Remy walks to the table and starts opening each box. There’s a slice missing from each pizza.

Arlo laughs as he comes back from the kitchen with paper plates.

“What?” Remy says innocently. “Just because big bros went and moved out doesn’t mean everything has to change.”

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