Beck kissed him on the way to the kitchen. “Cody?”
“Suit from the League.” He followed like a puppy. “I need another one of those.”
“I might have a couple more, let me check.” Beck tucked an arm around him and kissed him again, warmly, but as always there was a hint of heat underneath. “Found one.”
“Oh, good. I missed you today.” Some days were fast; some days lasted forever.
“Good. It’s all part of my nefarious plan.” Beck grinned at him. “So is beer. You want one?”
“I do. They want me to come to finals. They want me to do signings and have a big retirement announcement party.” He would so take the beer Beck offered. “Can you come? Please?”
Beck had been halfway to the fridge but turned right around again and came back. “Breathe, babe. Of course I’ll come. You deserve every second of that.”
“I need you there, though.” He wasn’t sure why it felt so desperate, so fucked up and weird, but he needed Beck with him, at his side.
Beck took his hands and held them tight. “I know. I’ll be there. For all of it.”
Thank God his husband understood what he couldn’t say. “Thank you. I love you.”
Hi. I’m a giant dork.
Beck pulled him into a hug. “I love you. Enough to risk getting my ass kicked by the guys who know I was a no-show for four years.” Beck’s laughter rumbled in that broad chest, vibrating where his ear pressed against it.
“No one’d better dare.” He pinched Beck’s butt, and then rested for a minute, soaking his lover up.
“I know you’re the strong, silent cowboy type, but I’m listening if you want to talk, Stud.”
“How do you know? You always know.” He grinned, resting against Beck’s chest. “I do. I have an idea to talk to you about.”
“You have a horrible poker face. Why do you think you always lose your jeans before I do?” Beck chuckled. “Let me get us beers. I’d love to hear your idea.”
“Good deal. You have a good day?” He grabbed the church key and popped the tops on the beers as Beck handed them over.
“I did. Adam and I are making plans for his retirement. Talking about how we’re going to transition clients. And I did an adoption in court this morning, I love those. A couple is taking on siblings, little ones, which is so cool.”
“Aww. That’s cool. I want a puppy, maybe after we get home?”
“As soon as we get home. I’d hate to leave a new pup for…how long are we gone for?”
“Ten days. Thursday to the following Sunday night. Not forever, but a long time.”
“With a day on either side for travel, so basically I need two weeks. Text me the dates and I’ll let Adam know. Might be the last trip we can take for a while. Good time to find a puppy. Want to sit?”
“I hate that we’re wasting your time.” Maybe he should go on his own. Suck it up. He was a fucking adult. “Come on and have a sit.”
“What?” Beck got hold of his arm and stopped him. “Sky, this is the biggest moment of your career, next to winning those buckles. I want to be there for it, to share it with you. I want to support you.”
“You’re sure?” He wanted Beck there more than anything but making Beck unhappy. He’d done that for four years.
“Babe.” Beck caught his eyes and wouldn’t let him look away. “Was there anything in what I just said about supporting you that would make you think I wasn’t sure? I know I fucked up, babe, but I’m here for you now. I’m here for everything.”
“Me too. Here. Long-term.” Hell, he’d even had his storage building emptied and delivered here.
Beck let his arm go and followed him to the couch, keeping close. “So that’s settled then. I’m sure, you know it, we’re not having that conversation again.” Beck flopped on the couch and pulled him down too.
“Fair enough. We’ll do fun shit in Vegas. I’ll get us matching tattoos.”
“Good luck. You’ve been trying to get me to do that forever.” Beck turned to look at him. “So what is your idea?”