Page 27

Chapter Ten

Sebastian

Sebastian paced the floor of their living room and wondered for the millionth time whether he shouldn’t have begged off class because right at that moment, he needed a distraction.Instead, he’d worn out the floor with his constant back and forth as he waited for Ethan to get home.And when he thought of Ethan, his hand traveled to his pocket and he blew out a breath.

As he turned to start back the other way, his mom stepped in front of him and placed her hand on his cheststopping him in his tracks.

Although she was a foot and a half shorter than he was, she was scary if she wanted to be.Many times over the years, a well-placed flick of her finger thumping against his forehead and he would fall into line every time.But this time, there was nothing but a smile on her face.

Sebastian had invited both his and Ethan’s parents for dinner.Over the past few weeks, he had spoken to both couples about his and Ethan’s future, and thought they should be here for another milestone in his and Ethan’s lives.

The night they confessed their love for each other, a plan had formed in Sebastian’s mind, only to solidify into a certainty the following day.Never had something been so right before and the decision about their future had been easy to make.

“Are you sure, Sebastian?You two are just starting your lives.You haven’t even graduated yet.”His dad asked him.Again.

“Ethan is essential to me, likeI am to him.Although our relationship is new, our friendship isn’t.I think it’s always been him.And with the certainty he loves me as much as I love him, I want to make it official.”

“They’ve always been inseparable, Scott.We’ve known since they were old enough to crawl.I, for one, give my blessing, Sebastian.”Emily stood up from the couch and hugged him.

Sebastian hugged her back and the tightness in his chest lessened.

“I second that.”Ethan’s dad Cameron said.

He smiled at Cameron and then glanced at his parents.They nodded and his dad spoke.“You’re right.It’s been the two of them.All I ask is that you make each other happy.”

“We already do.”

The nervousness come back, and he paced again.He wondered if he should wait to propose after dinner, or before when they were all settled at the table?Should he take Ethan out for dinner and ask him then?Thoughts continued to swirl around in his head, but he knew he wanted to propose sooner rather than later.He’d already been planning for a month.

Ethan’s text tone sounded, and he glanced down at the message.

I’ll be home soon.

:)

Tears pricked his eyes and his mom squeezed his arm again.“Mom, what if Ethan says no.He means everything even if I was too stupid to realize it before?I… can’t lose him.”

Before his mom spoke, Ethan opened the door and took in the scene in front of him with a smile.Sebastian'sheart beat faster in his chest at Ethan’s smile and remembered too late his eyes were wet with unshed tears.

Ethan dropped his bag by the door, his normal routine when he came home, and walked straight to Sebastian.Ethan cupped his face and brushed a kiss against his lips.

“What’s wrong?”

Sebastian blew out a breath and pressed his forehead to Ethan’s.“I’m nervous about your reaction.”

“To what?Our parents dropping in on us when all I want is you, spread out on our bed as I ride your cock?”Ethan whispered.

Although only he heard Ethan’s words, Sebastian’s cheeks heated.He shook his head and smiled.

“Later tonight, okay?But first…”

Sebastian reached into his pocket and when his hand closed around the box, Sebastian pulled it out and dropped to one knee in front of Ethan.When he glanced up to gauge Ethan’s reaction, the shocked look on Ethan’s face had him reaching for Ethan’s hand and linking their fingers together.

The room was crowded with their family, but Sebastian caught and held Ethan’s gaze.He tried to convey it was only the two of them and nothing else mattered.When Ethan squeezed his hand, Sebastian spoke, forgoing the prepared speech he’d gone over until he had it memorized.

“Ethan, it’s taken me a few years to understand, but now I know you are the one man essential to my happiness.I want to make you as happy as you make me every day.”Sebastian had to pause for a moment to clear his throat after he spotted Ethan’s beautiful dark green eyes blink back tears.“I promise to love you more each day and would love nothing more than to be your husband.Will you marry me?”

There was a split second of silence before Ethan threw himself into Sebastian’s arms and buried his face against Sebastian’s neck.His arms wrapped around Ethan, holding him close.If it weren’t for Ethan’s mouth positioned close to his ear, he would have missedthe next words from Ethan.