Chapter 28

I was practically buzzing as I took the wheel of Gideon’s car, the engine purring to life beneath my fingertips. The drive back to his place was an exercise in restraint; my hand seemed to have a mind of its own, resting on Gideon’s thigh, fingers tracing idle patterns over the denim of his jeans. Every so often, he’d glance over at me, a small, private smile playing on his lips, and I’d feel my heart kick against my ribs like a wild thing trying to escape.

We were a tangle of limbs and laughter, the car filled with the sound of our favorite songs blasting from the speakers. I couldn’t help but belt out the lyrics to “Too Sweet” by Hozier, my voice mingling with Gideon’s in a way that felt like a secret harmony, just for us. The world outside the car windows seemed to fade into the background, leaving only the bubble of joy and music that enveloped us.

But as the miles slipped by, the laughter that had been bubbling out of us began to wane, and I noticed the shift in Gideon’s mood. The hand on his thigh squeezed reassuringly as I turned down the music, concern creasing my brow. “Hey,” I said softly, glancing over at him. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”

Gideon sighed, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery. “It’s just… my parents,” he admitted, the words heavy with worry. “With their health, and the nurses, and everything… I can’t help but feel like I should be there more, you know?”

My heart clenched at the vulnerability in his voice. Gideon, the guy who was always the rock for everyone else, was showing me his cracks, and it made me want to be his foundation, to hold him up when the weight of the world seemed too much to bear.

It wasn’t something Gideon talked about often—his parents, their age, the fragility that comes with the passage of time. But I knew, and it was a weight that seemed to press on him when he let his guard down. Mr. and Mrs. Carter, they were the kind of couple you’d see at charity events, their silver hair gleaming under the chandeliers, their smiles a testament to a life lived well. They were older, sure, but their love for Gideon was the kind of fierce that could make you believe in miracles.

Gideon was that miracle. The product of years of trying, of hope that had begun to dim under the shadow of impossibility. And then, suddenly, there he was—a chubby-cheeked baby with a laugh that could thaw the coldest heart. The Carters had been over the moon, their circle of friends and acquaintances whispering about the blessing that had graced their lives. It was the kind of gossip that fluttered through the rich families like a gentle breeze, carrying with it a mix of awe and envy.

In a world where status was everything, Gideon’s birth was a renewal of the Carter lineage, a beacon of hope that even the most affluent could be touched by the whims of fate.

Now, Gideon’s parents were frail, their health a delicate balancing act that required constant attention. Nurses were a staple in their home, a necessity that allowed Gideon the freedom to attend school, to live his life. But it didn’t lesson the guilt or worry one bit.

“G,” I began, my tone earnest, “you’re an incredible son. You’re there for them, and that’s what matters. And you’re not alone in this, okay? I’m here for you, for whatever you need.”

He turned to look at me then, his eyes searching mine for a moment before he nodded, a small smile gracing his lips once more. “Thanks, Xav. That means a lot.”

I gave his thigh another squeeze, my own smile returning as I turned my attention back to the road. The rest of the drive was quiet, but it was a comfortable silence, one that spoke volumes in its absence of words. When we finally pulled up in front of Gideon’s house, I cut the engine and turned to face him, my hand still resting on his leg.

“Listen,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “Tonight, let’s just forget about everything else. Let’s just be us, with no shadows hanging over us. What do you say?”

Gideon’s eyes softened, and he reached over to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing over my lower lip in a gentle caress. “I’d like that,” he murmured, and the promise in his gaze was enough to set my heart racing all over again.

We made our way inside, the house welcoming us with its familiar warmth. Gideon’s parents were already in bed, so we tiptoed through the halls, a giddy sense of anticipation humming between us. Once we were safely ensconced in Gideon’s room, I kicked the door shut behind us, my eyes never leaving his.

The room was bathed in the soft glow of a bedside lamp, casting long shadows across the floor. Gideon’s glasses caught the light as he set them down on the nightstand, and I couldn’t help but cross the room to him, drawn like a moth to a flame. My hands found their way to his hips, pulling him close as I leaned down to capture his lips in a kiss that was both a question and a promise.

Gideon’s response was immediate and eager, his arms winding around my neck as he pressed himself against me. Our kiss deepened, a dance of tongues and teeth and breathless moans. I could feel the heat of him, the way his body fit perfectly against mine, and it was as if every moment before this had been leading us here, to this perfect fusion of souls.

We broke apart, gasping for air, and I rested my forehead against his, our breaths mingling in the quiet of the room. “I’ve wanted this for so long,” I confessed, my voice shaky with the force of my emotions. “Wanted you, Gideon. Not just as a friend, but as something more, something deeper.”

Gideon’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, and he gave me a watery smile that took my breath away. “I know,” he said softly. “I’ve felt it too, this pull between us. I was just too scared to acknowledge it, too scared of losing what we had.”

I shook my head, my hands coming up to frame his face. “You could never lose me, G. I’m yours, in whatever way you’ll have me.”

His answering kiss said everything.