Page 39 of His Middle

“I know you do. Did he say what it was he wanted, or what his name was?”

“No. He didn’t want to leave a message, said he’d rather just speak with the owner about it.” Arlen sighed. “I tried to subtly get it out of him, but he wouldn’t budge. I’m also still unsure what my boundaries are.”

“Oh.” Boundaries. This was Sawyer territory. “I doubt you and I have any, but I suppose it makes sense regarding the club. Are you all right with me handing all that over to Sawyer? I’m leaning more and more toward being one of those ‘hands-off’ owners he’s been talking about.”

“I can understand that. As well as I know you, I’ve been hoping that’s how this would all turn out. You’re too nice to people.”

Noah chuckled. “I’m a total sucker.”

“Shut up. Not everyone is meant to be an enforcer.”

Noah snickered. The visual of the twinky Arlen in his spandex booty shorts with a .44 magnum jumped into his head.

“I’ll keep that in mind. Listen, I can smell the siren call of bacon, which means Sawyer has my breakfast ready. I should go.”

“I need details.”

Noah pinched his eyebrows together. “Of my breakfast?”

“No, ding-dong. You and Sawyer. I’ve gotten tired of mopping up all the drool off the floor whenever you two are around each other. I can only imagine what sort of mischief you guys got into with a whole day off together.”

Noah huffed. “Whatever.” He was dying to tell Arlen the amazing news about him and Sawyer, but now wasn’t the time. “If you don’t annoy me at work today, I might share later.”

“So that’s how it is?” Arlen laughed. “You’re lucky I love your goofy ass. See you in a few, lover boy.”

“See ya.”

Noah ended the call and contemplated the mystery man looking for Jonathan. What if Jonathan had upset a member and he was calling to complain? Or what if something had happened and he’d gotten hurt, but Jonathan swept it under the rug?

Yet none of that seemed right. Jonathan hadn’t been manager for over three months. Why would a customer wait so long to complain to management? Noah shook his head.

Whatever it was, Noah didn’t want to be the one to handle it. He’d share with Sawyer about the message, then they could let Arlen know to refer anyone like that to Sawyer from now on.

“Noah! Come on, breakfast’s ready.”

Hot damn. Noah leapt to his feet and raced downstairs. Bacon had the magical power to erase all other considerations from his mind.

Chapter Twelve

Now that he and Noah had finally revealed their hidden feelings for each other, Sawyer found himself strangely holding back on taking things to the next level physically. It had only been a few days since they’d confessed all, and while they’d been sharing Sawyer’s bed, he hadn’t done more than get himself and Noah off with his hand. Was his promise to Oliver still keeping him from completely letting go? From claiming Noah as his boy?

Sawyer pinched his eyebrows together as he contemplated whether that was the real reason, or if there was something else. After running through everything he and Noah had discussed and taking into consideration how insistent Noah was about his feelings, he decided that wasn’t the issue.

Noah strolled into the kitchen with the last bag of groceries. They’d returned from the club at a reasonable enough hour that they’d been able to stop for some badly needed items for the almost empty fridge. If he wanted to keep to his plan of getting Noah on a healthier diet, he wasn’t going to achieve his goal by ordering take-out most of the time.

“Here you go.” Noah set the bag on the counter then started pulling out the produce. He eyed the fresh vegetables with a measure of disdain. “Are you sure we’ll be able to get through all this stuff before it gets all rotten? Please tell me we’re not going to start eating salad for breakfast.”

Sawyer shook his head with a laugh. “No, but there are many ways to use veggies that don’t involve salad.” Sawyer held up a bell pepper and onion. “For instance, a Denver omelet has veggies.” He pointed to the tub of organic spinach. “And a spinach and cheese omelet is also an excellent option.”

Noah rolled his eyes. “If you say so.”

Sawyer handed Noah a block of cheese and bottle of orange juice. “I do. I want my boy healthy and strong.”

Noah’s features softened as he accepted the items. “Well, as long as I don’t have to drink anything green in a smoothie, I guess it’s all right.”

Sawyer watched Noah put away the remaining groceries, admiring the way he moved with a masculine grace. He also loved how Noah’s attitude would change every time Sawyer mentioned anything about him being Sawyer’s boy.

Soon.

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