“Yeah?”
As Cole opens his mouth to answer me, the doorbell rings. I look around, everyone accounted for. “Are we expecting someone else?”
“Actually, I am,” Cole says, an excited grin spreading across his face.
He slips his fingers between mine. “Come with me.”
“What is it?” I ask
“Just follow me.”
“It’s for me?”
He gives me a quick nod and then opens the door.
“Hello,” the guy’s eyes flick from the brownstone number on the bricks and back to Cole. Kind of hidden, he can’t see me, but I can see him. “Is this Cole and Elijah’s place?”
“Yeah, man,” Cole says. “Are you?”
His hair is a different color, clothes less grunge, more surfer, but his eyes and smile are exactly the same. “Alex?” I come into view.
“Holy shit. Elijah. It’s so good to see you.”
He goes in for the bear hug. Personal space and boundaries have never been concepts he’s understood.
“How are you even here?” I ask, looking between both of them.
“Well, Cole found me on the internet. Kinda stalkerish,” he adds. “But I’m glad I answered his email.
“I thought of you a lot over the years, man. And seeing you, out of your home town, in college and with a boyfriend. I’m fucking impressed.”
A little bit tongue-tied, I lean into Cole, and just like that he does what I need him to.
“Come in, man. Come meet everyone and get some food.”
I hang back and watch everyone take him in. They greet him as if they’ve always known him, and it’s a beautiful reminder of how far my life has really come.
Pulling Cole aside, I hold his face and bring my lips to his.
“What was that for?”
“You’re my boyfriend, I don’t need a reason to kiss you.”
* * *
The night goes on,the food getting replenished and the drinks getting topped up, there’s nothing but smiles and laughter all around. Alex and I decide, since he lives locally, we should catch up in the New Year and share what our lives have been and have become since the last time we spoke.
Seeing as we were about to ring in the New Year, and we have no plans for this to be a one-time catch up, Alex is enjoying himself, floating from person to person. More often than not, I catch him and Aiden huddling together, laughing with the familiarity and comfort of something more than friends. It makes me happy and nervous all at the same time.
Crammed together the lounge room, we sit on every piece of furniture we can, watching and waiting for the ball to drop.
As the countdown begins, I look at Cole. “Why did you contact Alex?”
“What was your New Year’s resolution, again?”
“To be happy,” I answer obliviously.
“Exactly.” I can hear the numbers fall away in the background. “My one job is to keep you happy, Elijah. I saw an opportunity, and I ran with it.”
“Thank you.” I kiss him again, just as I hear everybody should a loudten nine eight seven six five four three two one.”A quick glance around the room and I see Geena, Harper, and Callie hugging. Trey and Megs whispering, Sophie and Miles making out like teenagers on the couch, with a sleeping Joey laid out on their laps. And of course, Aiden and Alex. Lips locked and ready for either heartache or happiness; no one knows at this point. But I’ll support them both whatever comes.
I wouldn’t want this bunch any other way.
“I love you, Cole.
“I love you too.”
* * *
