Page 213 of Becoming Us

At least I got him, just for a moment.

CHAPTER

THIRTY-ONE

AFTER

My eyes opened slowly, reluctantly focusing on the image in front of me—Atty’s desk, with my overnight bag sitting neatly on top. A sliver of sunlight filtered through the blinds behind it. I yawned, stretching in his arms before turning to face him.

He was still asleep. His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, soft puffs of air slipping past his parted lips. Every inch of his face was at ease.

I loved waking up next to him.

Carefully, I traced my finger along his cheekbone, hoping not to wake him. I just wanted a moment—to look at him without the world pressing in.

Last night had been a whirlwind. Paxton and the guys had crowded into Atty’s tiny living room, talking for hours about the opportunity. What it could mean for us. Whether we were actually ready.

I didn’t feel ready.

Atty had stayed quiet, seated behind me, his arms wrapped around my waist while I leaned back against his chest. He hadn’t said a word, but I knew exactly what was on his mind, because it was all I could think about too.

What did this mean for us?

I wouldn’t go if it meant losing him. If this was a dealbreaker for him, then it was one for me too.

When everyone finally left and we were alone, the first thing he’d done was cup my face and hold me steady.

“If this is what you want,” he’d said, “we’ll make it work.”

I’d started to protest, but he’d shaken his head.

“Noah, if we can be here—happy—after everything we’ve been through, then we can get through anything. I don’t think there’s any other way for us.”

I’d smiled. “Let’s talk about it in the morning, okay?”

He’d nodded, and we had fallen into bed, wrapped around each other. It’d taken me a while to slow my mind, to stop it from spinning in circles, trying to figure out how to make this work. Atty had already drifted off by the time my eyes gave in to sleep.

And now, here we were. Morning again. Another big decision hanging between us. Another thing that could pull us apart. Another hard conversation. Another promise to hold onto.

I pressed a trail of kisses across his face—his cheek, his eyelids, the corner of his mouth—until he began to stir.

His eyes fluttered open, soft and sleepy, locking onto mine. He smiled and stretched, like we had all the time in the world.

“What time is it?” His voice was thick with sleep.

I glanced at my watch. “Five past five.”

Atty groaned and closed his eyes, nuzzling into my neck. His fingers slid up my side, tickling me, before resting on my chest. They found the medallion that hung over my heart and tugged at it gently. “We could’ve slept in a little longer.”

“Yeah, I know. I’m still just reeling.”

He shifted to look at me again. “Last night?”

“Last night,” I echoed.

“It’s going to be okay, Noah.”

I nodded, pressing my lips together.