Page 68 of Worth the Wait

“Already taken care of.”

“Wow,” Landon said with a small nod. “Seems like you’re settling in nicely.”

“It’s a change of pace, and scenery,” Jack offered.

“He’s trying to ask when you’re getting your own place,” Verity translated with a sarcastic little laugh.

Jack smiled and chuckled. “I’ve been here less than a week. Have I already overstayed my welcome?”

“Just seems like the next logical step.”

“I really hadn’t thought about it too much, but if you want me out of your hair, I can prioritize.”

Landon shook his head. “It’s not a big deal. Regardless of what Verity is trying to suggest, I’m only curious.”

Jack knew Callum had assumed he’d move in. It made sense; it was logical. Jack moved across the entire country with the plan of being with Callum, so why would he not be with him completely? But Callum was young and so new to this lifestyle. Jack was his first foray into this Daddy-type of relationship, and he knew how overbearing he could get, knew how intense he could be. He didn’t want to scare Callum away, or worse, eventually bore him.

His rational mind knew that Callum wasn’t going anywhere. Callum was as in love with him as a person could be without saying the words, but at the end of the day, the only thing in their relationship that had changed was their proximity. He still worked nights, still didn’t have the same schedule as Jack, still had time constraints.

But as much as Jack hated the idea of not being in the same space as Callum, he hated the idea of getting a place without him even more. He wasn’t certain it wouldn’t send the wrong idea and he didn’t want to cause trouble when there wasn’t any, but he’d never planned on staying with Landon and Verity for anything long-term. Either way, he needed to decide on which direction to go—risk enraging Callum and break the bond they were building, or find a way to push his fears away and move forward with Callum by his side.

His coffee long gone, Jack pushed his chair back from the table. “I’m gonna go grab a shower and get the day started.”

“If you must,” Verity answered with a sigh.

Jack rinsed his mug then went upstairs, taking a quick shower and flopping down onto the bed naked. He grabbed his phone from the nightstand and sent a text to Callum.

Me: You up?

The reply came quickly.

Kitten: Yes, and yes.

Me: What are your plans today?

Kitten: Samantha wants me to come so we can meet Mark for lunch.

Me:Sounds fun. You going?

Kitten: Probably.

Kitten: Unless something better presents itself.

Me: Go see your friends.

Kitten: LOL. What are you doing?

Me: I’m going to try and go look at some apartments closer to the hospital.

Callum’s reply didn’t come quickly, and when it did…

Kitten: Oh.

Me: Oh?

Me: What are you thinking?

Another long wait.