it’s dumb. Never mind.”
“Whatever it is, it’s not dumb if it bothers you. Just say it. We’ve had too much time of not saying things.”
With his gaze locked on the road, Declan’s shoulder rose and fell in a half shrug. “It’s just that you don’t have any reason to marry me. Alleviating Jessie’s anger was really the only play I had. Otherwise, I kind of fucked up any chance of you wanting to spend the rest of your life with me years ago. You already have everything you need. I’m not necessary in any way.”
“Pull over.”
Declan flashed him a worried look. “What?”
Ezra crossed his arms over his chest. “You heard me. Pull over.”
Declan made his way to the shoulder of the road. The minute they were safely parked, Ezra punched Declan in the arm. Declan didn’t look fazed in any way. “What?”
“How dare you say you’re not necessary? You’re very necessary to me. Since the day Mom died, you’ve been the one who’s been here for me. You’re the one who made sure I ate and finished my online classes so I could graduate from high school. Jessie sure as heck wasn’t volunteering to help with Calculus while he was high as an ivory tower. Then, there’s Jessie. No one else in their right mind would’ve stayed by his side as long as you have. That matters to me. You have the patience of a saint and a heart as big as this truck. Declan, you are one thousand percent necessary to me. Don’t you ever say you’re not again.”
“Okay.”
Ezra huffed. “Is that it? Just okay.”
Declan smiled. “Thank you and I love you.”
With a shake of his head, Ezra looked away. “You’re welcome and I love you too.” He didn’t want Declan to see his disappointment. Ezra wanted Declan to keep talking about marriage. Instead, he’d gotten an okay. What the fluff was that?
Declan leaned Ezra’s way and pulled him in for a kiss. He didn’t stop until Ezra was damn near climbing his body, breathless and hard. Then, with flushed cheeks and panting, Declan pressed his forehead to Ezra’s. With his eyes closed, Declan took a deep breath, as if breathing him in. Ezra’s heart twisted. He loved this man more than life. It didn’t matter if Declan never talked to him about marriage again. They were enough for him. Ezra was happy with this life.
On the drive home, Declan thought everything through. He needed to talk to Jessie, but that wasn’t his biggest and most immediate concern. Declan had other things to take care of right now. With the truck unloaded at Ezra’s house, and a very happy Icarus tearing up Ezra’s backyard, Declan hoped he could duck out for a few without being too missed.
“Can you do me a favor and go rest for a few while I run a couple of errands?”
Ezra’s forehead furrowed. “Why do I need to rest while you’re out?”
Declan hovered over Ezra and rubbed his arms. “For my peace of mind, please? You’re still not at full bars and I’ll worry if you’re not resting.”
“Sure. Is everything okay?”
“I have you. Everything is perfect. I just need to take care of some things and I know you’ll try unpacking all these bags and whatnot while I’m gone if I don’t ask you to sit down.”
There was laughter in Ezra’s eyes and Declan wanted more. Ezra stood on the tips of his toes and kissed Declan’s chin. “Hurry back.”
Declan claimed Ezra’s mouth for a better kiss. It was hard to pull away. As much as Declan didn’t want to leave, he also needed to do something important. “Remember. Relax. I’ll be back as fast as possible.” Ezra followed him to the door and closed it behind him. Declan’s heart stayed behind as he climbed back behind the wheel of his truck.
Declan liked driving. It always gave him time to think. He made some of his best plans and decisions while stuck in traffic. Today was no different. The drive back from Arizona had given him plenty of time to work out a few plans. Now he needed traffic to be on his side because he had a few things to do. As if the universe was on his side, he got everything done in record time. He wondered if Ezra had actually done as he said or if he would find all their bags magically unpacked when he got home. As Declan climbed from the truck, he paused as he realized what he had