Page 33 of Note to Self
And I’m left feeling deflated.
Trent withdraws into himself, and I have no idea what is going on. We had the best night, the most meaningful sex I’ve ever had, but as he wanders the nursery, he’s got quieter and quieter.
“What’s going on, babe?” I stop him by softly tugging at his hand. He furrows his brow like he’s trying to think about what I’ve just said. “You’re miles away. Is there something wrong?”
“What? No, I’m okay, just thinking.” He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes, and he bites down on his lip as if he’s holding back whatever he was going to say next. When I gently free it with my thumb, he kisses the pad, so not all is lost. “I should go back sooner rather than leave it any longer. I need to tie everything up in London. There are a lot of loose ends. The ones I’ve hoped would go away but are still causing me hassle.”
Should I mention his ex to him? Is he part of the things he needs to tidy up, or is that really a shut-down, door-closed part of his past? No, I trust him to know what he’s doing. “When are you going to go?”
“Tomorrow morning. I can be there and back by Wednesday.”
I’m going to regret asking, but I have to know. “Will you see Marc?”
He blanches, his eyes wide as if I’ve slapped him. “God, no. I’m not going anywhere near that arsehole. I will try and see my parents, but I’m not expecting much. They won’t be happy that I’m giving up my whole life, my career. They just don’t get it.”
“Get what? What is it you’re giving all that up for?”
He looks at me askance, as if I’m stupid, and shakes his head. “Really? You’re asking me that?” he tuts. “Um, I think it’s you, don’t you?”
“I was hoping I was a part of it, but the exhibition is life-changing for you, Trent.”
He shrugs. “Unless it’s a complete flop, in which case I might be back in a classroom by Christmas.”
I pull him into my arms. “That’s not going to happen, babe. You’re going to be a huge hit. You’ll be famous.” I firmly press my lips to his, needing him to feel just how much faith I have in him, in us. As he parts his lips and touches my tongue with his, I run my hands through his hair. The kiss deepens. He moans softly into my mouth as our tongues tangle and stroke over each other. His dick stiffens against my own. We need to be somewhere else, preferably with a large, comfortable bed.
“Let’s go to my place,” Trent whispers against my lips.
When I drive through the gates, Drew is already on-site. I decided to go with a modular home, and the truck is due today. The excitement I felt when I explained it to Trent has gone. He left yesterday morning. I wanted him to share this with me, to see our home get put together. It should be liveable by the weekend or a couple of days after. He should be home by then, and he can help get it set up with furniture.
I get out of my Landrover and walk over to Drew.
“Are you ready for this?” he asks. His grin is infectious, and even in my disappointment, I can’t help but match it. He’s never seen one of these buildings being built and is looking forward to watching the experts and being a part of it. Ivan said he’d come and help too. I wouldn’t be surprised if we get an audience. Our friends are all very interested or nosy.
“I am.” I clap my hands. “It should be here in about an hour. Is the bottom gate open?” We have a service entrance for deliveries, so they’ve been directed to that entrance.
“Yep, all done. Where’s Trent? I thought he’d be here to help.” Drew looks past me, then frowns at me. “What’s happened? You didn’t split up, did you? It looked like you had the real deal going on.”
I shake my head, but I’m still pissed off that Trent chose a time that I can’t be away from here to get his things sorted. That he decided it while standing on what I want to be our home. “He’s gone back to London. He left yesterday morning. He’s only going to be a couple of days and should be back by Wednesday.”
Drew’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise, so Trent hasn’t told Merrick. “This was a surprise for you?”
“Well, not really. The timing, yes, but I knew he had to go back to sort shit out.” I fill him in on the conversation over the weekend, keeping the amazing sex out of it. I tell him about showing him around here and his sudden need to get away.
“That’s a positive thing, Merlin. He wants to get it all done and dusted so he can come back and be with you for good. Brodie had to sell his old house and came back as soon as he could. Merlin’s not going to stay in London. Merrick says he’s never seen him this happy, and he’s known him for years.”
Drew’s words ease the tension in my chest a little bit, but I’ll feel better when I talk to Trent again tonight. Last night’s was just a quick call to let me know he’d got to his house. Hehas a meeting at the school where he teaches, then is going to attempt to speak to his parents. It’s going to be stressful. If only I could’ve gone with him, but there’s no way I could’ve missed this. Before I can say anything else, the first of the lorries turns up.
It’s show time.
I have never worked so hard in my life. Every part of my body hurts. It’s even too hard to blink. So I’m lying on my bed naked after washing the sweat and grime from my body. But it’s been an incredible day. The guys who do this day in, day out have my total respect. The strength and level of fitness they possess impressed us all, even Brodie, and he’s the fittest guy I know.
The walls are up, and the roof will come on tomorrow. Then it’s watertight, and the interiors can go in. By the time Trent gets back, the house should be ready for fitting the kitchen and bathrooms. There will still be jobs to complete and decorating to do, but I have a home. It’s smallish but enough for me and, hopefully, Trent to live in.
Just as I’m drifting off to sleep, my phone rings. It’s Trent.
“Hey, you,” I say sleepily. “How’s it going?”
“You sound exhausted. Did it go okay? I’m sorry I missed it.” Trent sounds tense. Something has happened today.
