Page 33 of Reece & Holden (Gomillion High Reunion #6)

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Reece

I frown and pull my phone toward me for the hundredth time. Someone says something and I look up.

“Hmmm?”

“I said are you okay?” Hartley is standing before my desk with a file in his hands. I hadn’t heard him enter my office.

“Umm, yeah. Is that the Gibson file?”

Hartley puts it down on my desk. “Are you sure you’re alright, you seem distracted. Can I get you anything?”

“No, thanks. I’m fine.” I wave him away and when he leaves I pick up the file and try to work, all the while glancing at my phone.

I haven’t heard from Holden today, well, I did about an hour ago but it was strange.

Due to the time difference I usually wake up to a couple of messages from him.

I reply, most often something sweet and also rude, and he normally texts me back as soon as he wakes up, which is about lunchtime for me.

But there was nothing today. Then about an hour ago I just got a short text.

It didn’t really say anything. I try not to worry that something might be wrong with him or with his parents, and I ignore the niggle at the back of my mind that he’s cooling toward me.

I don’t really believe that. And it’s only been a few hours.

Anything could’ve happened, and I’m sure he’ll message again soon.

“Are you staying, or are you ready to go soon?” Nolan puts his head around my door.

“Um, I’m done, just give me a minute,” I reply.

I can’t concentrate anyway, so I might as well go home.

I pack up my laptop and the file along with a few other papers into my bag.

It’s Friday, but I don’t have anything planned for the weekend so I might as well work.

I join Nolan and Hartley since they’re ready to leave too.

“We’re going over to the Blacksmith’s Arms tonight, do you want to come?

” Nolan asks. I haven’t visited the pub in Larchdown many times, but I have heard about Friday nights.

It started off with a few of the local guys meeting for a drink, but it’s been steadily growing and is one of the busiest pubs in the area.

It’s not exclusive, but most of the people who go are gay, and usually couples so it hasn’t turned into a place for hookups.

More like friends meeting up in a friendly environment.

Levi still works there some nights, so Mac might be in.

Nolan goes often now he’s seeing Uli, who lives at Blackwood Heath, which is the next village to Larchdown.

“Griff and I are probably going to pop in,” Hartley says. I’ve heard about his burgeoning romance with Griffin, the stonemason from Hard as Rock. I haven’t met him yet but Nolan has given me a few details, so I’m intrigued about the guy.

“Yeah, sure, sounds good,” I say. “About eight?” They agree and lock up.

I refuse Nolan’s offer of a lift home. I live close enough to walk, and I feel like I need to stretch my legs.

I don’t drive to the office most days as it’s hard to get a parking spot on my road.

The houses are old and were built well before people thought about cars.

Nolan lives a bit further out, but he’ll probably be heading straight to Uli’s.

I know he has plans to stay with him over the weekend and they’ll go hiking, Nolan indulging in his hobby of photography.

As I walk, I think back to last weekend when I hiked with Holden, and another flutter of worry takes flight in my chest that I haven’t heard from him.

I’ll message him as soon as I get home. I walk along making plans for the evening.

I should have enough time to grab a shower and something to eat before driving out to Larchdown.

I turn along my street; it looks lovely in the summer.

My favorite season is spring when all the cherry trees that line the street are in bloom, but now the flowers in everyone’s front yards are in bloom, and I admire them as I walk along to my house.

My heart flips when I notice the figure sitting on my steps.

It can’t be, as he should be thousands of miles away.

It must be my mind playing tricks. But it sure looks like him.

“Holden?”

He looks up from where he’s staring at his feet. His face is hopeful, his eyes holding an uncertainty.

“My god, you’re here.” I launch myself up the steps as he rises and catch him in my arms.

“How? When? Why?” I fire at him, and then cut off all chance of reply by fusing my mouth to his. I pull back and stare at him.

“Surprise.” He grins and I match it, realizing I must look like some sappy loon and not caring one bit. I unlock my door and usher him inside. I want to know everything but not out on the street.

“Oh god, I was so worried because I hadn’t heard from you—well, not properly. Everything is okay, isn’t it? Are you alright? Your parents?” I blurt out as soon as I’ve closed the door and we’re standing in my entrance hall.

“Everything’s fine,” he says. “Apart from not actually being able to focus or eat properly, worried you’d forgotten about me . . .” He wrinkles his nose, and it’s adorable, but I can see that his worries were real.

“Never, baby,” I say and step close to him. “I could never forget about you, but god, I love that you’re here.” I kiss him again. “What about your store? How long can you stay?”

“In Clara’s capable hands and a couple of weeks,” he answers. I gaze at him in wonder. He came all this way to surprise me. I lift my hand and pinch his arm.

“Ow!”

“Just checking you’re real,” I say. He laughs, and I capture that joyful sound with my lips on his, and I don’t stop until we’re both in danger of passing out from lack of oxygen. I grab my phone and text Nolan that he won’t see me tonight in the pub, I’ve had a much better offer.