Page 80 of Backward Motion

Connor got out of bed and walked over to the bathroom, disoriented in the unfamiliar room. He knocked lightly on the bathroom door. “You all right?”

Sam opened the door, phone aglow in his hand, looking sheepish. “Sorry, I thought the light might disturb you.”

“Can’t sleep?”

Sam shook his head. “I’m wired. I don’t know—coming back here, seeing Felix again. It’s weird, right?”

“No, it’s totally understandable.” Connor flicked off the bathroom light and led Sam back to bed. He spooned him under the covers, holding Sam against his chest. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“Not really. I’d rather hear some random trivia. Something low stakes to put my mind at ease.”

“Did you know Finland has the most heavy-metal bands per capita of any country?”

“I didn’t know that.”

“Or that, on average, a hundred people choke to death on ballpoint pens each year?”

“I said low stakes. I don’t need any more reasons to lie awake worrying.”

Connor nuzzled against Sam’s neck. “Just don’t put pens in your mouth. I’ve had this discussion with Matty many times.”

“It’s kind of ironic that you’re trained in this super-practical profession while also obsessed with the most useless skill.”

“Useless? People win thousands of dollars on trivia shows.”

“You’re right; knowing that a snail can sleep for three years is an incredibly important life skill.”

Connor chuckled. “I had a great time tonight.”

“Yeah? You looked like you were having fun.”

Connor felt a prickle of fear. “But aren’t you going to miss this? The bright lights and cute boys?”

Sam turned his head to look at Connor. “Not when I’ve got my own cute boy right here.”

“I don’t want to hold you back.”

“You’re not.” Sam stroked his cheek. “The thing with new places is that eventually, the fun fades and real life takes over. And I don’t think I’ve focused enough on what I want real life to look like.”

“And what does real life look like?”

“Hmm... not chasing things that make me sad?”

“I’m with you on that,” Connor said, thinking of the abandoned quest for his father’s approval. “It’s nice to get away and do something different, though, even if it’s only for a weekend. It’s kind of depressing, all the stuff I haven’t done.”

Sam’s eyebrows pulled together. “You’ve had a lot going on. I don’t know anyone else our age who’s had to deal with what you have. And I know you take the responsibility of looking after your dad and the business seriously, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up on everything else.” He shifted so he was facing Connor. “What if I found you an apprentice and we got them trained up? That would free you up a bit, right? Give you some time to go exploring.”

“You’d do that?”

“Maybe we could go exploring together. I’ve always wanted to see Argentina.”

Connor squeezed Sam tight, and he was filled with a rush of love for the man in his arms. “I thought of another fact.”

“Go on.”

“Did you know the termwearing your heart on your sleeveoriginated from a tradition during theMiddle Ages?”

“I didn’t.”