Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 99918 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99918 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
“Really they were only concerned about themselves. Those two points were the only highlights they hit that didn’t include them flying the nest. They’re ready to start their lives,” Dylan said, putting the car in park and taking Tristan’s hand in his.
“I didn’t say they weren’t normal.” Tristan smiled, intertwining their fingers.
“I’m sorry for the pain I’ve caused you.” Dylan turned in his seat, facing Tristan. “Don’t shake your head. I’ve seen it in your face. I was just worried about that moment in there. I was afraid to fully let you in.”
“If you haven’t always been out, it’s hard finding your way. I knew you needed room and support,” Tristan said. Dylan watched him a minute more before tugging at his arm, pulling Tristan in to meet him halfway.
“I’m sure it’s not over. I’m certain of that, but thank you for being here tonight.” Dylan leaned across the console and pressed his lips to Tristan’s. He was in complete control of this moment. For the first time in their relationship, Tristan didn’t push and let him take the lead. Dylan reached up and trailed his hand along Tristan’s jaw, sliding his fingers into his messy hair.
“Thank you for loving me.” Tristan’s breath danced along his lips as he uttered those simple words that eased every burden he carried. Dylan angled Tristan’s head, smiling as he licked at the seam of his lips. Tristan’s lips parted, and he seized the opportunity to push his tongue forward, holding nothing back in the kiss.
Dylan sat with Tristan in the downstairs section of his Laguna Beach home, working on a prototype of the robotic arm he’d designed. They were both at the desk. Tristan was entering the variances of coding Dylan suggested after many long minutes of silence between the both of them. Tristan studied the changes, getting lost in the code until a voice broke through, interrupting his train of thought. After spending all of his adult life alone, he still hadn’t gotten used to the randomness of other people being around. He scribbled his thoughts on the notepad in front of him so as not to forget and looked back over to Dylan who continued to study the prototype.
“Dad.” The voice a little stronger this time. Tristan sat back in his seat, stretching his tired muscles. Dylan shared this project with him now. It had become their secret hobby from almost the minute he’d shown him what he had been working on. They were so in sync with every part of their lives. Every day, Dylan proved yet again how right Tristan had been in pushing for a relationship between them.
The only things they didn’t do together were running and weightlifting. Except, thanks to the downstairs renovations, he squeezed three new bedrooms in and a small gym. When they spent time in California, they were able to work out together, meaning Tristan never had to run again in his life.
“Dad!” That one startled Dylan, proving Tristan’s theory the guy had been oblivious to her before then. That must have been the selective parent hearing he’d heard about. Tristan had to get better at ignoring the noise. Ever since Chloe and Chad had arrived a few days ago from school, his house had been overrun with noise and a somewhat controlled chaos. Chloe circled the door and stopped in her tracks.
“What? Chloe, you have to stop yelling. We’re working, honey,” Dylan said, clearly frustrated.
“Hi, Tristan.”
“Hey,” he said, giving her a small smile.
“It’s time to pick up Mom and Cate,” she replied, not really paying attention to her dad’s outburst. Tristan figured she’d probably heard those words from her father before.
Tristan looked down at the time on the computer. They’d lost hours again inside this room.
“I should change clothes and shave.” Dylan immediately stood. The sourness of a few minutes ago was now completely gone, along with the concern over the project. Where Tristan made notes at these critical points, Dylan would just retain where they were and pick up where they left off, no matter how much time had passed since they’d been here.
“I like you unshaven. Keep it through the holidays?” Tristan stopped him with a hand on his thigh, before he went and altered that sexy five o’clock shadow. Dylan would occasionally lean in to tell him something and his stubble would rub along his neck as he spoke, purely on accident, but, man, did that turn him on when the scruff was there.
“All right.” Dylan bent to kiss him lightly on the lips.
“You and Mom never kissed each other. I don’t know how I didn’t figure everything out sooner than I did.” Chloe rolled her eyes and pivoted around the doorframe as she left the room. Technically, this was the first time Dylan’s children would see them sharing a bedroom. As Tristan had grown to learn, they were well past the point of caring about the small details. All three were well-adjusted young adults that were fully vested in their own futures, really only calling when they had a problem or needed money—that was especially true with the oldest two in college.
“Are you coming with us?” Dylan asked.
“If you want me to,” he responded.
“Of course I do,” he said, not even questioning the thought. He left the room, not glancing back.
He still tried hard to give Dylan space. Teri had had the baby, a little boy, less than two months ago. She and Mark were planning to marry. Cate had just graduated from high school and planned to leave for college right after the holidays. Surprisingly, he’d been included in both events as well as the cross-country U-Haul trip Dylan planned to get Cate moved in and settled into her dorm room.
Dylan and Teri’s divorce would be final soon, and Tristan had even managed to talk Dylan into moving the Secret Network’s headquarters to Irvine and take up residence with him. By all measures, he and Dylan were a committed couple. They weren’t showy about their relationship. The people Dylan truly cared about were on board with all these changes. So, although he and Dylan worked a lot of hours, they found a way to spend every free moment together. His jet racked up a lot of air miles to Dallas and back, but they would soon be living under the same roof every single day.