Page 97 of A is for Aftercare

23

Archie

I sent a text to Blake and Corey on my way home but wait until after Lexi is in bed to talk to them.

"What's wrong?" Blake asks once we're all together. "You've been quiet since you got home."

I pull a throw cushion onto my lap and hug it. “Hamish asked me to move in with him.”

It’s all I’ve been thinking about since I left the water tower earlier. Fuck. I’m not even sure I did the right thing by leaving. Maybe I should have stayed and talked things through with Hamish rather than trying to figure them out on my own. Although I’m not on my own. I have my brothers. Though apparently, I’ve shocked them into silence.

“Say something?”

“Do you want to?” Corey asks.

“I think so? But it’s not as simple as saying yes and packing my bags.”

“Why not?” Blake says.

“We work together?”

“Yeah, but you were working together when you went to his kink party. It didn’t matter then. Why does it matter now?”

“If I worked for himandlived with him, I’d be completely dependent on him. If we broke up…” I sigh.

“That would be bad,” Corey agrees.

“Exactly.”

“So quit and get a new job,” Blake suggests.

“Again, not that simple.”

“Uh, yes, it is. It might take you a little bit of time to find a new job, but you will. You’re amazing at what you do, Archie, and Hamishwillgive you the best reference ever.”

I laugh. “Yeah, he will.”

“You could even tell him you won’t move in until you’ve found something else.”

“I like working for him.”

“But would you prefer to be living with him?”

I shrug. “How am I meant to know? I’ve never lived with a partner before.”

“You’re practically living with him now,” Corey mumbles.

“No. I stay over some nights.Thisis still my home.”

“It sounds like you’re not ready,” Corey says.

“It’s a huge step.”

“Yes, which is why you need to be completely ready.”

I run my hands over my face. “But how will I know when I am?”

“How did you feel when Hamish popped the question?” Blake asks.