Chapter 217: Falling for Vince

Meanwhile, last night when Derby was getting drunk, the cottage had grown quiet.

Outside, the night insects sang softly, while inside only the warm glow of a bulb illuminated the small living room.

Vince glanced at the clock as Lucas checked his phone for the third time.

“Is everything alright?”

Lucas nodded absentmindedly.

But instead of walking to the bed, he checked his phone again.

Vince noticed, for the fourth time in ten minutes. A small smile tugged at his lips.

"Waiting for someone’s call?"

Lucas looked up.

"Hmm?"

"Your phone." Vince nodded toward it. "You keep checking it."

Lucas immediately looked down at the screen again, still no message.

A faint look of disappointment crossed his face before he hid it.

Vince pretended not to know why.

"Why don't you call her instead of waiting for her to call?"

Vince said as he walked over and climbed onto the bed.

Lucas's head snapped up instantly.

"No!"

The answer came so fast that Vince nearly laughed. "No?

Lucas shook his head. "It's not her at all." He said as he walked over and climb the bed too.

Vince leaned back.

"Oh really?" His eyes sparkled with amusement. "Then who is it?"

Lucas hesitated, then smiled. A genuine smile. The kind Vince had begun recognizing.

"He is my good friend."

Something about the way he said it made Vince's chest tighten.

Lucas continued. "He always tell me good night."

The smile on his face grew softer, and warmer. Like merely thinking about that person made him happy.

Vince looked away briefly. A strange feeling settled in his stomach. A bit happy and a bit jealous. The realization surprised him. So he laughed lightly.

"Wow."

Lucas blinked. "What?"

Vince folded his arms. "Now you're making me jealous."

Lucas stared. "What?"

A laugh escaped him.

"Why would you be jealous?" He said as he turned toward Vince.

Their eyes met.

And suddenly Lucas forgot what he was about to say.

The teasing smile disappeared from Vince's face. The amusement faded completely.

Leaving behind something quieter, and far more dangerous.

Lucas's heartbeat thudded loudly in his chest.

The room suddenly felt smaller, but warmer. Neither of them looked away.

Vince swallowed.

"You really don't know, do you?"

Lucas frowned slightly.

"Know what?"

Vince's gaze softened. For a moment he seemed to be fighting with himself. Then he quietly said, "You don't know how lovable you are, Lucas."

The words landed harder than they should have.

Lucas's breath caught. His pulse thundered harder in his ears. He should have looked away, and broke eye contact.

Instead he found himself trapped there in Vince's eyes. In the warmth of his voice. In the way he was looking at him like he mattered.

Like he was something precious.

Lucas swallowed hard, but still couldn't look away. Neither of them spoke. The silence stretched between them. It was heavy and charged.

Vince slowly raised a hand. Lucas watched every movement. His heart hammering in his chest..

The back of Vince's fingers brushed lightly against his cheek. It was a simple touch, yet it sent a shiver through him, grounding him totally.

Lucas should have turned away, but he didn't. Instead he leaned slightly into the touch before he even realized he was doing it.

Vince's expression changed. The last thread of restraint in his eyes began to unravel.

"Lucas..." His voice was barely above a whisper.

Lucas's pulse jumped. The way Vince said his name felt too familiar.

It was too intimate and honest. For a second they simply stared at each other.

The world around them forgotten.

The cottage disappearing.

Everything disappearing except the space between them.

Then Vince slowly leaned closer.

Giving Lucas every opportunity to move away. To stop him. To say something, but Lucas did none of those things.

His gaze dropped briefly to Vince's lips before returning to his eyes. That tiny movement was enough for Vince to go ahead.

The distance between them vanished instantly as their lips met softly and tentatively. Like neither was entirely sure this was real.

The kiss lasted only a moment. Yet somehow it felt longer and warmer.

When they finally pulled apart, neither of them moved far. Their foreheads nearly touching.

Their breaths uneven.

Lucas stared at him, stunned.

Vince looked equally affected.

For several seconds neither spoke.

Vince leaned in again, and Lucas was waiting for him as he responded willingly.

This time, it lingered longer. When they pulled apart. They stared at each other in disbelief.

Then Lucas let out a shaky breath. I'm sorry, this…”

“Shh,” He placed a finger on Luca's lips. “Please don't be sorry. It feels great.” Vince said softly.

Lucas became shy suddenly. He lay down quickly and threw the duvet over his head.

Vince smiled, lay down as well and whispered, “Good night Lucas.”

Lucas couldn't say a word. He only nodded his head.

Vince smiled again but suddenly realized that getting any sleep tonight was going to be difficult for him.

He watched until Lucas gradually opened his head, he put his arm around him.

Lucas didn't protest. Gradually sleep took them.

By morning, Lucas woke slowly. For a moment, he didn't know where he was. The mattress felt unfamiliar. The room looked different. Then the events of last night came rushing back.

The argument with Derby, walking to the cottage and then the talk with Vince. He asked his permission to stay the night.

His eyes widened slightly.

And then he remembered the kiss.

Immediately, he buried his face in the pillow.

"Oh my god..."

His voice came out muffled. His heart was already beating faster.

He stayed like that for several seconds before finally sitting up.

Sunlight filtered through the curtains. Then he smelt fresh food and blinked.

His stomach growled immediately.

That's when he noticed a folded note on the bedside table.

His name was written on it.

Curiousity set in, he picked it up.

The moment he saw from Vince, a smile appeared before he could stop it.

He unfolded the paper.

Good morning.

You can freshen up here if you want. Take anything you need. I made you breakfast. Please eat something before going about your day.

Lucas's smile deepened.

Something warm settled in his chest.

It wasn't a grand gesture, or dramatic declarations. Just breakfast. A simple note, and a quiet concern.

And somehow that made it worse. It affected him far more than it should have.

He continued reading.

I need to help a friend with a sick flower.

Lucas chuckled.

"Only because of a sick flower. He must be very caring."

His eyes moved lower.

This is my number. Text me if you need anything. Please be careful with Derby.

The smile returned instantly. A real one. The kind that reached his eyes.

For several moments he simply stared at the note. Then his gaze drifted toward the phone number.

Then back to the note. Then back again.

Something strange was happening inside his chest. Something he wasn't prepared to deal with.

And suddenly, the smile vanished.

Lucas froze. His eyes widened.

"What am I doing? Am I falling for Vince?"