Page 37 of The Way Home

Instead, he clenched his fists at his sides.

Living alone all week in their apartment had been fucking miserable. Sally came over to bring food and make sure he ate. The team had sent flowers, gift cards for takeout, and sweet text messages.

They all loved Caleb, but theyadoredJamie.

“Caleb, love.” Jamie’s mum rushed into the kitchen and engulfed him in a big hug. She smelled like vanilla and Crayons, just like always. “Y’alright?”

“Yeah, thanks, Maggie,” he said with a smile. “How are the kids at school?”

“Oh, you know. Little buggers.” She winked, tucking a curl behind her ear. “Reckon they’ll make me completely grey here soon.”

Maggie worked as a school teacher in their small, little town of Marlow. Jamie always joked that she embarrassed the shit out of him growing up in school, but Caleb knew he didn’t really mean it. She was incredibly chill and sweet and sometimes a tadmuch… but a wonderful mom all the same.

“Pippa,” Maggie said. “I need your help getting the laundry sorted. Let’s let these two talk.”

The women swept from the room.

“I’m sorry for dropping in like this,” Caleb said. “Pippa invited me, and I know you can’t use your phone much. I didn’t mean to intrude.”

“It’s no problem. It’s, uh, nice to see you.”

Caleb’s heart clenched at how stilted the conversation felt. With the man he loved. Christ, he could really use a fucking cigarette.

“Want to sit?” Jamie nodded to the living room, where they settled onto opposite armchairs. The fire was going, which was nice. It was brutally cold outside.

Jamie placed the box on the side table, then dropped his hands into his lap, fiddling with his thumbs.

“How are you feeling?” Caleb asked.

“Alright. My head hasn’t felt great, but the rest of me is fine. Mostly restless. Not being able to watch the telly or read’s been shit. And my mum is being…” He glanced up. “Well, she can be a bit much.”

I know, we spend most Sundays here for roast.

“I bet,” Caleb replied, forcing his voice to stay even.

“It’s just been… a lot. Everything. Being here. I love them all but…” Jamie gave a helpless little shrug.

Come home. Let me take care of you.

Caleb swallowed. “What’s the doctor recommending?”

“She said I’m cleared to do everything but bike and drive. Andanything stressful, I suppose. So the library told me to take as much time as I need.” Jamie scratched the top of his head. Caleb knew how much he loved his work. It would kill him to have to take time off. “They insisted on at least a month. The doctor said, other than that, I should just go back to my normal life.”

His eyes studied the hands in his lap, and his forehead scrunched up in distress. “I just don’t know how to do that.”

Caleb’s hand reached instinctively toward him, ready to offer comfort, but he stopped short. Jamie’s eyes flicked to the movement, catching it. Like a coward, Caleb pulled it back.

“I’m so sorry,” Jamie said softly, still looking down.

“What?” Caleb blinked. “For what?”

“For how I reacted at the hospital. I was rude to you, and then I just—” Jamie looked up, and Caleb’s heart squeezed at the sight of his glassy green eyes. “This must be so hard for you, I’m sure.”

God. His sweet Jamie. The man had been hit by abus, his entire world flipped upside down, and he was still worried abouthim.

“It’s okay,” Caleb said gently. He scooted forward in his chair, getting as close to Jamie as he could without actually touching the man. “You know, you could come back to London. Stay at… um, at home. With me.” He gave a small shrug. “Might help you feel more like yourself.”

Nerves and anxiety flashed in Jamie’s eyes before he looked back down at his lap. Caleb tried not to feel disappointed.