Page 97 of Inevitable

He glanced at Drew and shrugged. “You did say you want to do that.”

“I did.” Drew hesitated. “What about your studio, though? And the tour?”

Bas looked down.

“Well, you were right about the tour. That’s not for me. There was a moment when I had almost convinced myself that it might not be that bad, but then I spent three twelve-hour days stuck with those guys in the studio… Honestly, I don’t think I can handle being in close proximity with people for that long.”

“You do realize that we’re people, too?” Drew asked dryly, gesturing between him and Ezra, who had one of his secret smiles on his face as he looked at Bas.

Bas rolled his eyes.

“You don’t count,” Bas scoffed. “You’re my people. You’re a part of me. It’s like…” He opened and closed his mouth a few times, trying to find the right words. “You two are my heart,” he said like it was the simplest and most obvious thing in the world.

Drew couldn’t even explain if it was the words themselves or their matter-of-fact delivery, but there was no doubt in his mind that Bas meant them with everything in him.

By all accounts that day hadn’t been the best, but even with all the people that had left him that day, his heart was full.

“Let’s go home,” he said.

They drained their beers and walked out the bar. The sun was shining, and even though he wasn’t superstitious, Drew couldn’t help but feel like it was a good omen.

“I want a dog,” Bas said as they started walking toward their apartment.

“Yeah?” Ezra’s eyes lit up. “I’ve never had a dog.”

“Me neither. I always wanted one, though.”

“Well, we should do it, then.”

Drew listened to them make plans with a smile on his face.

“From a shelter?” Ezra asked and bit his lip. “It’d be nice to give somebody else a new chance with us.”

Drew’s belly gave a flip, but he felt so wonderfully steady and right.

“What do you think?” Bas asked, turning toward him.

Drew nodded, unable to form words as everything settled into place. They were making plans for a shared life. Long-term plans. This was everything he’d ever wanted.

“Drew? You okay?” Bas asked.

He nodded again.

“I’m perfect.”

He meant every word.

Epilogue

Four years later…

“Harley, I love you, but I swear to God, if you don’t let go of my bag, I will… I will… I will…”

Ezra gave a frustrated huff and stared at Harley, who was lying on his stomach, paws planted firmly on the floor, holding on to the strap of Ezra’s backpack with his teeth.

“Couldn’t think of any way to punish him, huh?” Drew asked. He was leaning against the doorframe, a cup of tea in his hand. Ezra never got tired of looking at him. His long legs were crossed, and he looked ridiculously hot in his black sweats. No shirt. Ezra wholeheartedly approved of the look.

He raised his brow at Drew.