Page 23 of The Marriage Policy
Hayes often struggles to open up, to share parts of himself, but it’s him who says, “He has it…with us too.”
Rylan wraps an arm around him, pulling Hayes close and kissing the top of his head the way I would do with Eric or him with me. We probably shouldn’t be as affectionate as we are. But I don’t know how to be any other way with him, and I’m not sure Eric would let me even if I tried.
“I think this calls for a group hug,” Rylan says.
“But is it really a group hug without Eric?” Anthony asks.
“How about we save the hug for the end?” If there’s going to be hugging, I wouldn’t feel right without Eric involved.
“So strange how I’m the one who’s in touch with my emotions more than anyone here,” Rylan teases.
“Do you know me?” Mads adds, and then we get to work again.
It doesn’t take the five of us too long to get everything either moved into my shed, garage, or Eric’s room in my house. Eric made chicken fried rice for us, and I make him sit down first while I fix his plate.
The group of us eat before Mads, Rylan, Hayes, and Anthony have to go. Anthony’s working at Lush tonight, a queer bar inWest Hollywood where he dances. Apparently, Mads is dragging Rylan to yoga, which Rylan tries to get out of.
One group hug at Rylan’s insistence later, and then they’re gone, leaving me and Eric home alone. “I’ll go drop off the U-Haul and get my car. I’ll be back soon.” I bend over where Eric is sitting on the couch to kiss him but then stop myself. Maybe it’s too much? All the affection and the marriage and stuff?
“Can I go with you?” Eric asks.
“Yeah, of course. I just wasn’t sure if you needed to rest or anything.”
He sighs. “I’m fine, D.”
“Why are you mad?”
He drops his head against the back of the couch. “I don’t know. I just don’t want to feel like I can’t pull my own weight. You do so much for me.”
Which he’s told me more than once in the past couple of days. “I’m sorry. I know I’m being overprotective. I should be better about it because I know how it feels to be on the other side of it. I just…love you and want to be there for you the way you’ve always been there for me.” I’m surprised when he grabs me and tugs me down to his lap. I have to maneuver myself so I don’t hit his foot. “What are you doing?”
“Cuddling.” He wraps his arms around me and buries his face in the back of my neck.
“Yes, but why?” The thing is, I really like to be close to Eric this way. I enjoy his arms around me, his cinnamon scent and how comfortable he always makes me. I’ve never felt safer than I do with him, but I’m also careful not to go overboard. Sometimes it’s harder to ignore how attractive he is when we’re this close.
“Because I love you and you’re my best friend. Because youareoverprotective, but I also kinda suck because it annoys me and I like it at the same time. Who doesn’t like to have someone care about them that much?”
I slide off him so my ass is on the cushion but my legs are still over his thighs. “I love you too.” I run my fingers through my hair. “And I get it because I was the same. I was so thankful to have you, but I also wanted my independence. I think that’s realistic. I’ll spoil you, but I’ll try not to be too much.”
“That works for me! I’m glad we could have this conversation where I basically get my way.”
“You’re such a brat.” I stand, then take his hand and pull him to his feet.
I keep going back and forth between worrying one minute and feeling like everything will be just fine the next.
All I know is, I can’t mess this up. Eric is too important to me.
CHAPTER NINE
Eric
Not having ajob is boring as shit.
Donovan is back at work today, and twelve hours is a long fucking day. It would be a whole lot easier to deal with if I had a job, could go to the gym, or had something else to do, but that asshole Cliff fucked me over, and there’s no point in trying to get work while I’m on crutches.
I did get up with Donovan for work, though. If he’s going to be my Insurance Daddy, the least he should get out of it is some meals, so I set my alarm and made breakfast and a lunch to take with him. His job is important, and he should have good food to fuel his body while he’s there.
But now it’s nine o’clock and I already don’t know what to do with myself. What does a short-term kept man do with his time? Because while I really don’t want to be that, and I told Donovan I wasn’t, I can’t help thinking of myself that way. At least I was smart enough to save some money, so I can help Donovan with bills until I get another job.
