Page 25 of Breaking the Surface
Braden groaned.“Is it that obvious?”
“Pretty much, but that might be because I know you and I’ve just been through something similar with Pembroke.I know exactly what you’re going through.”
“Well, not exactly, although you and Pembroke had your own challenges.”
“True, but we haven’t had to deal with an angry ex.”
“Just with people who wanted to traffic your mate.”
“It doesn’t mean that what you and Peter are going through isn’t hard.Just because someone has it worse doesn’t mean you don’t have it bad.”
Braden knew that.It still didn’t feel right to complain about Lou when they’d had to rescue Pembroke from traffickers.
“Well, since you’re going to move, too, we’re going to have to find a way to make the business work with both of us here,” Remi said, changing the topic of the conversation.
“I was already thinking about that,” Braden pointed out.“I knew I wanted to move even before meeting Peter.”
“You didn’t live here yet.”
“So?I opened the agency with you because I wanted to help people, but also because I wanted to work with you.You know I don’t have that many friends.I haven’t taken your leaving very well.It’s lonely.”Braden shrugged.“As much as I like everyone we work with, it’s not the same.Besides, I’d like the opportunity to slow down.”
“Because you want to spend time with your mate.”
“And because I’m not getting any younger.”
Remi laughed.“Stop talking as if you already have one foot in the grave.You’re not that old.”
“I don’t feel old, but some days, it’s hard to deny the fact that I’m not as young as I was before.”
Remi was still smiling.“No one is.I’d love to have you closer, though.I know I’m not the only one.”
“Peter and I haven’t talked about it yet.”
“You will, but I was talking about Pembroke.He’s going to be delighted.”
“Then Iwillhave to move.How can I deny him anything?”Braden wasn’t even kidding.He loved Remi’s mate as much as he loved Remi.The man was as sweet as they came, but also resilient and strong.He’d survived things that would’ve broken most people, and he’d come out of it with a lot of love that he showered Remi with.How was Braden not supposed to love the guy?
“Well, at least you already have a home and everything.That’s going to make that part of you moving easier.The business is going to make it harder, though.”
“I’m sure that we can make it work if we sit down together.”
“We won’t have a choice, will we?I’m not going to keep you away from your mate.”
“I’m not planning on being away from him.”Especially not when they still hadn’t managed to stop Lou.For now, Braden wasn’t going anywhere.He was where he needed to be.
With his mate.
* * * *
PETER’S CHEEKS HURTfrom smiling by the time he and Braden left Camden and Toby’s house.The night air was cool against his skin, and he took a deep breath, feeling lighter than he had in weeks.The party had been exactly what he’d needed—good food, good people, and hours of conversation that had nothing to do with Lou or Peter’s past or the mess his life had been before coming here.
“That was fun,” he said, glancing at Braden as they started walking down the path toward their house.
“It was,” Braden agreed.“I’m glad you decided to go.You looked happy.”
“I was happy.Iamhappy.”Peter meant it.For the first time since everything had happened with Lou, he’d felt like himself again.He’d laughed until his stomach hurt when Pembroke had told stories about some of Remi’s antics.He’d talked to Toby for almost half an hour.He’d managed to relax enough to let his guard down, at least for a little while.He’d stopped waiting for Lou to turn every corner.
Braden had stayed close all evening, but not in a suffocating way.He’d been there when Peter had needed him, but he’d also given Peter space to interact with everyone else.It had been perfect.Bradenhad been perfect.
