Page 42 of The Way Home

“No, no.” Jamie turned toward Caleb. He’d donned a tight, black shirt that fit him perfectly. It looked soft to the touch. “I really don’t want you to go through any more trouble. I’m just adjusting. I’ll be okay.”

Jamie’s heart flipped as Caleb’s gaze traced the tears slipping down his cheeks and then dipped to his lips. He was closer now, his hands dangling uselessly at his side, as though he couldn’t decide what to do with them. Jamie had to fight the urge to close the distance himself, to rush straight into Caleb’s arms.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Caleb asked.

“I…I’ll be okay.”

The most unexpected part of the amnesia was the constant war inside Jamie. A tug-of-war between instinct and reason. His mind urged him to step away from a stranger, while his body pulled him closer, desperate for safety.

Who are you?

I want you.

The push-and-pull was exhausting.

Caleb seemed to be fighting a similar battle. After a moment’s hesitation, he made up his mind and shoved his hands into the front pockets of his joggers.

“I should probably go to bed. I’m knackered,” Jamie whispered, though his body seemed to gravitate even closer to Caleb’s. His head felt a little dizzy, and he realized he could feel the warmth radiating from his body.

“Right,” Caleb breathed. Maybe Jamie was imagining it, but his eyelids looked heavier, eyes a bit darker.

Taking a step back, Jamie turned to the sofa and froze. Images of that night flashed in his mind. The way Caleb had pulled him close, dropped to his knees, and wrapped his soft mouth around Jamie’s cock. The way he’d sucked him off slow and torturously, and then brought him to the bedroom and held him—

Jamie swallowed.

“Everything okay?” Caleb asked, stepping up behind him. Jamie blinked, embarrassed to be caught staring dumbly at a sofa.

“Erm—yes. Yep.” He spun around and bumped straight into Caleb’s chest.

Strong hands caught his shoulders to steady him, and Jamie felt his ears burn. God, he was such a bumbling idiot.

“Goodnight,” he blurted.

Caleb’s hands slid down Jamie’s arms until their fingers met. His eyes dropped to their joined hands for a breath. With a soft squeeze, he let go and stepped back.

“Night, Jamie.”

Chapter 10

Jamie felt badthat Caleb was sleeping on the couch. Itdidmake him more comfortable, though.

Not because he didn’t want to sleep with Caleb. That actually sounded really nice—to be held in those strong arms, against his warm, broad chest.

But it was also fucking weird, right? Because CaleblovedJamie. And Jamie didn’t evenknowCaleb. He also couldn’t seem to be normal around him. Anytime Caleb was in the room, Jamie’s legs turned to Jell-O, and his brain stopped working

So instead of sleeping, Jamie sat up for hours, thinking in circles about what the hell he was going to do. How were they going to coexist like this? Live together and act like JamieknewCaleb? Or start from scratch, and Caleb would pretendnotto know everything already?

Round and round his thoughts went until he got a headache and had to do some deep breathing exercises to keep from panicking.

“Fuck this,” Jamie muttered as he threw the covers off himself. His brain felt foggy, and he had to take a piss.

The loo was on the far side of the room. Trying not to wake Caleb, Jamie crept around the bed in the dark. Before he could reach the loo, his foot caught on something hard and he pitched forward.

He flung out his hands to break the fall, but instead crashedinto the wall, knocking a picture frame loose. It hit the ground and shattered.

“Jamie!” Footsteps sounded from the other side of the door. The light flicked on, and Jamie blinked against the sudden brightness. There was a prickle in his palm. Caleb stood in the doorway, wide-eyed and rumpled. “Jesus, are you alright? What happened?” He dropped to his knees, eyes scanning Jamie’s face.

“I’m sorry,” Jamie squeaked. “I was just trying to get to the loo. I didn’t want to wake you, I—”