Graham still wasn’t home from a meeting about a new sponsorship deal by the time Thad had finished walking Murphy, so he threw dinner together. He slid the sheet pan of roast chicken and vegetables in the oven, set a timer, cleaned the kitchen, then got comfy on the couch.

​

Ryan was busy rooting around in her litter box—joyfully flinging litter everywhere for them to clean up later, no doubt—but Murphy hopped up beside him and snuggled in.

Thad petted the dog for a few minutes with one hand while he used the other to scroll social media.

​

He smiled at the positive comments about his work, replied to a few questions, then kept browsing.

​

Out of habit, he did a search for Teddy’s username—he had it memorized for some stupid reason—and checked out his latest posts.

​

Thad found it comforting to occasionally check in and see Teddy posting things about his life. To see him happy.

​

Teddy’s latest pictures were a mix of small snippets from his day. A shot of the lunch he’d had. A gorgeous beach at sunset. Two male hands clasped together against a strong thigh.

​

Compositionally, they weren’t the most beautiful photographs Thad had ever seen, but they still filled him with a warm feeling, a sense of relief that Teddy was doing well.

​

Tonight, that relief made him impulsive enough to open up the messaging portion of the app and type out, Hey. This is pretty random, but I just wanted to reach out and say I’m glad you’re doing so well. You look happy.

​

He sent it, then closed the app immediately, a weird, shaky sensation settling over him, like he’d done something he shouldn’t have.

​

And then he felt stupid, because Teddy would probably never even read it. Thad hadn’t even said who it was. He might never look at Thad’s profile and put together the pieces anyway.

​

But a few minutes later a reply popped up. Thad’s hand shook a little as he opened and read it.

​

HOLY SHIT. Thad! Wow, I have to admit you’re the last person I expected to ever message me. I am glad to hear from you though. I am happy. Glad you’re doing well too. I don’t know that I ever told you how much it meant to me that you looked out for me when we were in Pine Grove so I’m saying it now.

​

Hey, you looked out for me too, Thad replied.

​

Yeah but, I know how many years of your life you gave up to protect me that one time. I always … always wanted to say thank you for that, I guess, even if that feels like not enough.

​

Thad shrugged, even though Teddy couldn’t see him. It’s worth it when I see you’re doing well.

​

Yeah, I really am. It took a while, but I found a great guy, a good job … my life’s not perfect but it’s good, you know?

​

Thad smiled. Yeah, I know.

​

We were the lucky ones though, right?

​

Thad swallowed past the lump in his throat when he thought about some of the guys who’d been on their unit. Yeah. We were.

​

I saw the latest pic with your guy. 🔥🔥🔥 And a pro hockey player? Damn, girl.

​

Thad laughed quietly, wiping at his eyes because he’d kinda missed Teddy. He is. And a really great guy.

​

Good. You deserve it. Your photography is amazing too. I remember you pouring over those books all the time. I’m glad you finally got to use what you learned.

​

Teddy had remembered. That meant more to Thad than he could put into words. He typed out, Fuck, me too. Anyway, I hope this isn’t weird. I just wanted to say hi. Tell you I’m glad you’re doing well. That’s all.

​

I am so glad you did! Honestly, as fucking shitty as it all was, you kept me sane in there. So thank you. And, you know, if you’re ever in Cali, look me up. I’m in the LA area now.

​

Thad smiled at the thought that maybe he hadn’t been far from him the last time the Harriers were there.

​

I travel with the team, so I do visit there whenever they play in LA, Thad explained.

​

Awesome. When you do, maybe we could grab a coffee? With our guys even, if yours knows about your history. Whatever works for you. Just … think about it.

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Yeah. I’d like that. And he does, Thad answered.

​

Mine too. He’s one of the good ones.

​

Good. Thad hesitated, not sure if Teddy had just been being nice or if he’d actually meant the invitation. So, uh, actually, I think we’re going to be out west later this season. I’ll let you know details when it gets closer if you're serious about meeting up.

​

Of course I am! That’s perfect. I’ve gotta run now, unfortunately. But I’m super glad you messaged me! Like, really glad. Seeing your name pop up made me smile.

​

Thad’s smile widened too. I’m glad I did too. Be safe, Teddy.

​

You too. 😘

​

Thad was still staring at his phone, absently petting Murphy, when Graham got home.

​

“Hey! Sorry, things ran a little long at my …” Graham walked over, taking a seat beside him on the couch. “Hey, are you okay?”

​

“Yeah, uh …” Thad cleared his throat, woke up his phone, and handed it over.

​

“Oh wow,” Graham said when he was done reading. “Well, that’s all good, right? Teddy’s happy. Doing well. Happy for you.”

​

Thad nodded. “It is, yeah. Honestly, I don’t know why I’m feeling emotional about it all.”

He dragged a hand over his face as if it could wipe away the mix of happiness and sadness he’d felt since he sent the first message.

​

Graham settled a hand on his chest. “Maybe because you kinda wrapped up a chapter in your life that was really hard?”

​

“Yeah, probably.” Thad sighed. “I’ll talk to Harlan about it next week.”

​

“Good.” Graham rubbed softly, his thumb brushing Thad’s sternum. “You need anything right now?”

​

“Nah. Just you,” Thad said, holding out an arm.

​

“You’ve got me.” Graham stripped off his coat and tossed it on the other end of the sectional before he squeezed in next to Thad. His body was warm, although his nose was cold as it pressed to Thad’s neck.

​

Thad didn’t pull away.

​

They lay there in silence for a while, Graham combing a hand through Thad’s hair. It was soothing and he closed his eyes and allowed himself to drift for a while, not sleeping, not really, just letting himself sink into the warm, safe space that was their apartment. Their lives together. Their relationship.

​

There were no hard edges here. No angry shouts or rattling bars.

​

Just this deep well of goodness.

​

Even the imperfect moments were good because they were so incredibly mundane.

 

The worst things he usually had to deal with were the damn cat's penchant for flinging litter everywhere, Graham leaving toothpaste chunks in the sink, and how often he forgot to do laundry before a road trip.

​

And, well, Thad had plenty of experience doing laundry. 

​

Only now, sometimes when no one was looking, he lifted Graham’s clean clothes to his nose and breathed deep, the cottony softness against his palms and the smell of fabric softener everyday luxuries he was already starting to take for granted.

​

A life of ease he’d never dreamed of.

​

“’m happy,” he murmured now, turning his head to press a glancing kiss to Graham’s jaw.

​

“Good,” Graham whispered. “You deserve it.”

​

And Thad thought maybe everyone deserved this. These soft, gentle moments in the middle of the day with someone they cared about shouldn’t be a luxury only afforded to a few.

​

“You know, I really do like this salt-and-pepper look you have going on now,” Graham said in a quiet tone, still gently stroking Thad’s hair.

​

Thad raised up on one elbow and glared at him. “If you call me distinguished looking, I’m going to bend you over this couch and fuck you until you can’t walk straight.”

​

Graham snorted. “If that’s supposed to be a deterrent, that’s really not going to work.”

Thad grinned. “Yeah?”

​

“Yeah. Instead, I’ll start introducing you to everyone as my distinguished looking boyfrie—” He let out a yelp as he landed on the soft area rug beside the sectional where Thad had dumped him.

​

“You asked for it, baby,” Thad said with a grin as he reached for the fly of his jeans.

​

“Hell yeah, I did,” Graham said, scrambling to his feet, already tugging his sweatshirt off.

And Thad laughed because this was his life.

​

He got to laugh and joke and strip down in the middle of the fucking living room because he wanted to get naked with the man he loved.

​

It was so good it left him winded and for a moment, he just stood there staring at Graham, who had one sock on and one off and his boxer briefs halfway down his thighs as he tried to strip it all off at once.

​

“You okay?” Graham asked, his face bright and happy with laughter as he looked up.

​

Thad stepped forward and cupped his cheek, kissing him softly. “Yeah. Never been better, baby.”