Page 38 of Night By Night

Yeah. Moving back to Florida had absolutely been fucking worth it. He laid his head over on his friend’s shoulder and just…absorbedit all.

* * * *

Ooohh, this hadtotallybeen worth it. Without a doubt. Between the happy excitement on JJ’s face, and the stunned shock on Hank’s, Maddox knew he’d done the right thing.

Thank goodness he had Marcia and Derrick taking pictures and video for him with his camera and phone, because Hank was too stunned to process everything and remember to take pics.

And twice in one day Hank had told him he loved him.

Sure, he’d meant it as a friend, but still…

I’m a dumbass.

There was a better chance of them having a blizzard next week than his deepest dreams regarding Hank ever coming true. Still, Maddox was happy to accept whatever scraps he could.

JJ opened a ton of presents, and some envelopes that were gift cards. But to Hank’s credit, every time she opened those, she still happily squealed and went to hug and thank the giver before handing it over to Hank. He’d taught her right, even at her young age. She already had an appreciation for money and gifts he’d definitely taken until he was a lot older to achieve.

I wish I could do more for them.

Not that Hank would let him. He was a proud man, and Maddox could see how he was already trying to ease back a little on what he let Maddox do for him. Hell, had he known about Hank’s circumstances, and that they were moving to Florida, he would have done whatever he could to convince Hank to move in with him for a while. He had a king-sized bed.

They could share.

Just like they used to.

Too late now, though. Hank had signed a year-long lease on the house.

At least now he could see Hank every day. Hell, there hadn’t been a single day since he knew they were back that he hadn’t seen Hank for at least a few minutes. In the future he could always use the excuse he was driving by, since Hank’s house was on the way between Maddox’s office and home.

For this moment in time, however, Maddox was going to enjoy this and try to figure out how to forever store it in his brain.

Once the party started breaking up after lunch and cake, everyone pitched in to help clean up and to load JJ’s haul in Maddox’s car, so he could drive them back to Hank’s.

Maddox had a thought. “You know, why don’t you come over to my place tomorrow and go swimming?” He’d had them over for dinner already, but not for swimming. “And bring your robotics kit and we can work on it after.”

“Oooh, please, Daddy?” she asked Hank.

He smiled, but it looked weary and made Maddox think about cancelling his plans for the night so he could stay with Hank and take care of him. “Sure, sweetie. If Uncle Dox wants us there.”

“OfcourseI want you there,” Maddox told him. “Come over after you wake up. Chill out with me for the day.”

Hank hugged him. “Sure. Thank you.”

Back to Hank’s house, where Maddox helped him unload everything. After saying good-bye, Maddox headed home, feeling more than a little…melancholy.

Going to the club tonight would suck in some ways, because he knew he’d be thinking about Hank the entire time.

Sigh.

That was also why he reallyhadto go. Because being alone sucked, but pining over his straight best friend sucked even harder.