Page 31 of The New Place

“You think so?” Abbot asks, finally turning back around.

“Of course. This drive is a pain in the ass.”

“We could see each other much more often.”

“Exactly.” Ned warms to the idea. Meet for lunch on a workday. Head out to drinks after their last meetings and classes.

Though he’s picturing the restaurants by Adams, that wine bar he drives past and hasn’t been to yet, since there’s nobody except Abbot he wants to go with.

“We haven’t talked about it yet,” Abbot says. “Not concretely, at least. I don’t want to presume.”

“What’s there to presume? Yes, of course move closer. Pat will kick and scream, but he’ll get over it.”

Abbot’s mouth quirks. “Is that the greatest change you foresee?”

“Saving on gas money too. But you have tenure here at Callahan. You’re in no rush.”

“There’s no reason to stay here.”

“No, I guess not. Would you even consider Newbury?”

“I meant to ask you, do you and Peggy want to go up to the mountains one weekend soon?”

“The mountains?”

“Skiing.”

“You’re changing the subject.”

“Would you?”

Ned might as well dump his wallet into a snowbank. “Maybe.” No, he means, but instead of saying that he watches Abbot pour hot water into the travel cup to warm it up, so Ned’s coffee will hold its heat longer on his drive. It’s so small, and so thoughtful.

Ned comes up behind him, circling his waist and kissing the back of his neck. “You’re the best. I love you.”

“I love you too,” Abbot says. “Think about a weekend that might work.”

“Think about Newbury,” Ned says, even though Abbot stiffens. “You’d do so great there.” Of course he would. He’s made for that university. First thing in the morning and he looks put together somehow, despite also just waking up after not enough sleep. But standing in this house that he owns, in his neat kitchen, of course a university like Newbury is handing him a job.

It’s Ned who’s the mess, trying to pay off debt, living at his parents’, late for work, and hopefully not once again staring down the barrel of a job hunt.

No. It’ll be fine. Ned tries to shove away his rising embarrassment. Steve is overreacting. Ned’s shared the most perfect year with Abbot, and he’s not letting a rumor about Adams shatter that. “Have a great day, okay?” he says and takes the coffee Abbot holds out to him.

Abbot folds a paper towel around two pieces of toast, and hands him another one to use as a napkin. Of course he does. His car doesn’t have a layer of crumbs already in it, crayons mashed into the back seat, dog hair in every nook and crevice.

“Drive safe,” Abbot says and meets him in a quick kiss.

“I love you,” Ned says. “And all this shit aside, it’d be amazing to have you in Boston.”

At that, Abbot relaxes, kissing Ned a second time and lingering on it. “I would really like that,” Abbot whispers.

Ned smiles against his mouth and gives him one last peck. “Me too. I might even be on time for meetings. Bax, let’s go, bud.”

Ned’s car is cold, the steering wheel frigid, and he shuts off the air blowing from the vents until the engine warms up. Baxter whines a little, settling into the backseat.

“I know, but we’ll see him soon,” Ned says.

Baxter huffs and lays down as Ned puts the car into gear.