Chapter 214: Stay

The question had slipped from Lucas's mouth before he could think twice about it.

Vince himself was taken unaware, and he nearly dropped his mug.

"What did you say?" He asked again.

Lucas looked at him. He had a choice to go and lodged somewhere but he didn't want to. So he responded. “I say, may I stay the night, please?"

His voice came quieter now. "I don't want to see her face again tonight."

Vince blinked.

The seriousness in Lucas's eyes erased any temptation to joke.

Then Lucas added. "I told her I want a divorce."

The cottage went completely silent.

Vince stared at him.

"What?" The word escaped him again.

Lucas took a sip from his mug, and nodded. "Hmm."

Vince stared. For a moment he genuinely thought he had heard wrong.

A divorce? His heart nearly exploded. Inside his head, an entirely different reaction was taking place.

Way to go, baby. About time you show them, my love. Best decision you've made all year.

Somehow he managed not to say any of that.

Instead he carefully placed his mug down. "Are you serious?"

Lucas nodded. "Yes."

The answer came immediately. It was without hesitation, or any doubt.

Something about that answer made Vince's chest tighten.

He studied Lucas carefully. There was no anger now. No impulsiveness, or emotional outburst.

Lucas looked calm and very resolved. Like someone who had already made peace with the decision.

"It was never a marriage in the first place," Lucas said quietly. His gaze dropped to the floor. "And I think it's time I stop pretending otherwise."

Vince looked away, because hearing those words stirred feelings he wasn't prepared to deal with.

Feelings he'd been trying very hard to hide around Lucas.

He swallowed and looked at him.

"You've really decided, huh?"

Lucas nodded. "Yeah."

Another silence followed as Lucas leaned back against the couch. "So..."

A small smile appeared on his lips.

"Can I stay?"

Vince snorted.

"You're still asking after dropping a bomb like that?"

Lucas shrugged. "Mr. Macho used to let me stay."

The nickname caught Vince off guard.

His lips twitched.

"Well."

He folded his arms. "I'm not Mr. Macho."

Lucas turned toward him. Their eyes met. The teasing expression slowly faded from Vince's face.

Suddenly the air felt different. It became heavier, more intimate, and more dangerous.

Vince held his gaze. "Are you sure about that?"

Lucas's heartbeat stumbled. For a brief moment neither looked away.

The lamp beside them cast warm light across Vince's face.

Lucas noticed things he shouldn't have been noticing. The curve of his mouth. The softness in his eyes. The way his hair fell slightly across his forehead.

Then suddenly, he became very aware of how close they were sitting.

Lucas immediately straightened.

Trying to regain control. Trying to ignore whatever strange feeling had just rushed through him.

"Well..." His voice came out rougher than intended. "Do you have a problem with it?"

Vince looked at him. Really looked at him. The truth was, having Lucas here wasn't a problem. Having Lucas leave would be. And that realization made him feel uncomfortable more than it should.

A slow smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "No."

Lucas blinked. "No? Oh come on."

Vince shook his head. "No, I don't have a problem with you staying."

Something in Lucas relaxed immediately. The tension in his shoulders eased. The relief was obvious. He felt like jumping on him with a hug.

He suddenly stifled a smile at himself for thinking that.

“Okay, what's so funny?” Vince asked with a slight smile.

Lucas looked at him, “Nothing, just laughing at myself”

“Why?” Alex's curiosity piqued.

“It’s kind of silly and I can't share it.”

For some reason that simple reaction made Vince's heart ache. How he wished to hug him and told him how happy he was to have him around. Then how happy he was to hear he was taking that bold step this fast. Then how glad he was to see that Lucas had his trust, more than he probably realized.

Vince stood to take his empty plate but Lucas grabbed it. “No, I will do it, okay. Thanks a lot for the food and for letting me stay.” Lucas said as he walked towards the kitchen.

Vince followed toward the kitchen and stood behind him. “Did you see the dish washer?”

Lucas jerked in surprise bumping into Vince. “Oh sorry, I didn't notice you're behind me. I've seen the washer.

After doing the dishes, he came out and looked at Vince. “You kind of look familiar to me as if I've seen you somewhere.” He said as a smile curved his lip.

Vince smiled, “Maybe because I'm related to Mr Macho.

“Maybe,” Lucas said and continued, “May I ask another thing.”

“Ask away,” Vince responded but wished within himself that he would ask for a kiss.

Lucas said, “Please, may I get a change of clothes, and may I shower?”

“Alright, I will get a set of pajamas for you.” Vince said as he got it in a jiffy. Lucas took it with thanks and  headed towards the bathroom.

A few minutes later he was out and met Vince fixing the bed.

"You can take the bed."

Lucas frowned. "What?"

"The bed."

"No."

"Lucas."

"No."

"You are not sleeping on that couch."

Lucas pointed at it. "It's perfectly fine."

"It squeaks every time someone breathes."

"It can't be that bad."

Vince stared. Then deliberately walked over the couch and pushed on it. It let out a loud groan.

Lucas burst out laughing.

The sound filled the cottage. It was warm, genuine and beautiful.

Vince found himself staring for a second too long.

Lucas slowly stopped laughing as

their eyes met again. The amusement faded, but neither of them looked away.

The room suddenly felt much smaller. The silence stretched. Lucas couldn't get exactly what had changed. He knew something had.

Then suddenly, Vince moved towards him, cupped his cheek and placed a light kiss on his lips.

When he pulled away, they both stared at each other in confusion.

Vince leaned in again but then swiftly, Lucas turned his back to him as, “Oh I'm sorry, I…I..”

“No, it's my fault, I got carried away. I shouldn't have done that. It won't happen again.” Vince put in quickly. Then muttered within himself, Shit, what are you doing, man.

Still backing him, Lucas smiled as he touched his lips. “Oh goodness, why do I like the feeling of his lips just like my Alex’s.” Lucas said inwardly.

“Lucas, I'm sorry, okay?”

“Hmm, you don't have to apologize. It's no big deal.” Lucas said as he turned to face him, trying so hard not to avoid his eyes.

Vince cleared his throat and looked away first. "I insist you take the bed." His voice was lower and softer now. "You can stay as long as you want."

The bed is big enough for two. I used to share it with Mr Macho.”

The words slipped out before he could stop them.

Vince froze. He wasn't expecting such an invitation.

He muttered inwardly, “Oh, sweetheart, are you by chance trying to tempt me? If only you knew how much I so wanted to sleep beside you.”

As Lucas realized exactly how that sounded. His stomach twisted. The air between them tightened.

He swallowed as he looked at him.

Vince refused to look back at him yet neither of them could stop smiling. Despite everything that had happened tonight, for the first time all day, Lucas finally felt like he was somewhere he wanted to be.

“Come on, let's go to bed," Vince said as he locked the door.