Page 47 of The Long Way Found

LUKE

“Isigned the lease yesterday," Jack texted. "Want to come see the place?”

Luke was wrapping up at The Ridge just before three, and he smiled because Jack remembered what time he finished work. That was… something.

He replied, “Can’t wait! What’s the address?”

They hadn’t seen each other much this week, but they had kept in touch almost daily. Now, Luke wondered what kind of housewarming gift to bring. Wine felt wrong because he hadn’t been in a liquor store in fifteen years and wasn’t about to break that streak. Beer seemed too bro-ey. Flowers felt like too much.

He popped into the hardware store and found a potted plant. Mrs. Miller assured him it was hardy enough to survive even in the dark and without any love at all.

“Perfect,” Luke said with a smirk.

Luke pulled up with Marley as Jack opened the front door.

“You made it,” Jack said, stepping aside to let them in. “Ready for the grand tour?”

“Lead the way, Colonel.”

Jack walked him through an open living area, a decent kitchen, two bedrooms, and two baths. “And the deck’s out back. Not much, but it works.”

“It’s good,” Luke said, looking around. “Photos? Books? Knickknacks? Anything that’s actually… um… yours?”

“Hey, come on, I just got here!” Jack pushed back, pointing to a few boxes stacked against the wall. The space had potential but was still bare—except for his desk setup with dual monitors.

Luke handed Jack the plant. “Well, here’s a start! Happy housewarming. Everybody needs something alive in their home, right?”

Jack took it and studied the leaves. “I’m actually pretty good with plants," he said. "They bring out my latent nurturing side.”

Luke raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really?”

“Really.” Jack set it on the kitchen counter, then turned back to Luke. “What?”

“Nothing,” Luke said, remembering how Jack nurtured Martinez on campus. “But I have been here for five minutes, and you haven’t kissed me hello in your new house.”

Jack smiled, crossed the room, and pulled Luke in for a proper, slow, deliberate kiss.

“Here's to Casa Garrison,” Luke said as they pulled apart. “It’s going to be great.”

They spent the next hour unpacking boxes using Jack's methodical system. Kitchen first, bedroom second, everything else could wait. Luke helped sort dishes, books, and framed photos that Jack hadn’t yet decided where to hang.

“Your parents?" Luke asked, holding up a picture of The Colonel and Mrs. Garrison at what appeared to be a military ceremony.

“Yeah. Dad’s retirement," Jack said, looking at the photo for a moment before setting it on the bookshelf. “I should call them. I finally have my semester strategy developed enough.”

“Has that been on your mind a lot?”

“Hmm? Oh, no. But Dad will ream me if I don’t give him a full report.”

They emptied a few more boxes, laid sheets and a quilt on the bed, and swept the floors. Jack installed a ceiling fan he’d picked up earlier at Home Depot, while Luke organized the bathroom.

By the time they finished, it was getting dark out.

They grabbed takeout from the grocery store deli and ate standing in the kitchen, laughing about something one of the kids had done at soccer practice the previous week.

Jack was rinsing their containers when Luke came up behind him, sliding his arms around Jack's waist.

“Thanks for letting me help today,” Luke said into Jack's neck. “It took my mind off losing the donor. I’m still on my heels about it.”