Something New

by Sean Ashcroft

  “Right,” Ash said. “We’ll think about it.”

  Scott smiled at that. “No pressure, okay? It’s just an offer. Pets are a lifetime commitment.”

  Ash knew that, but he could tell from the way Scott said it that he was a genuine sweetheart who really cared about animals. Charlie was lucky.

  But then, Scott was lucky to have Charlie, too. At a glance, they couldn’t have been more different, but they fit together.

  Seeing them together made Ash’s heart hurt with how badly he wanted that for himself.

  He knew he needed to give up on Declan if he was ever going to find someone else, but that was hard. Declan had been the most important person in his life for nearly a decade.

  He’d move on eventually. It just wasn’t going to be today.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Thanks for speaking up for me about Chewie,” Ash said as he fell into step beside Declan on the sidewalk. “I don’t think I could’ve brought myself to say anything.”

  “Well, that’s what husbands are for, right?” Declan asked.

  “I guess.” Ash tucked his hands deep into the pockets of his coat. “Still, I’m grateful. It’s nice to be taken care of.”

  “You’ve taken care of me plenty,” Declan said. “I figure it’s about time I returned the favor. Proud of you for petting him, by the way. Chewie, I mean.”

  “Thanks,” Ash said, his jaw tight. A shiver ran through him as Declan watched.

  The temperature had dropped a few degrees since they’d come out, and Ash’s coat wasn’t the warmest. He looked like he was suffering from the cold.

  Declan paused, shrugging his coat off.

  Ash raised an eyebrow at him from two steps ahead.

  “You can’t be too hot,” he said.

  He wasn’t wrong. Without his coat, even with a sweater and a long-sleeved t-shirt under it, Declan was already feeling the chill.

  But he’d be fine. He ran a lot hotter than Ash did, and dealt with the cold better. Ash needed the coat more than he did.

  “You’re cold,” Declan said, holding the jacket out. “Put this on.”

  “What is this, chivalry?” Ash asked.

  “Put the goddamn coat on.” Declan waved it at him. “Before we both die of exposure.”

  Ash huffed, but let Declan help him into the coat, putting it on over the one he was already wearing.

  Once it was on and buttoned up, Ash sighed happily. He was clearly more comfortable already.

  The walk home wasn’t long, but Declan didn’t want Ash to have to suffer.

  “I can’t be chivalrous?” Declan asked as they started walking again.

  “I’m not your girlfriend,” Ash said.

  Declan snorted. “No, you’re just married to me. You know, if you die, they’ll look at me first for your murder. I wouldn’t do well in jail.”

  “I wouldn’t have died.” Ash shoved his hands in the pockets of Declan’s coat this time. “Thank you. I probably should have just said thank you in the first place. Especially after you just said you were trying to take care of me.”

  “You’re welcome.” Declan stuffed his hands in the pockets of his jeans. He hadn’t gotten to wear jeans so much lately, and it was nice to be able to dress like a normal person for once. It was nice to relax.

  He liked taking care of Ash. It made him feel warm on the inside, like his heart was full.

  Like a more intense version of the way he felt about getting to spend more time with him. He’d missed just hanging out. It was good to make up for all the good times they’d missed out on because Declan was busy working himself to death.

  He was never doing that again. Both of them deserved better.

  Ash would have looked after him until he actually died of stress. Declan knew that like he knew…

  Well, Ash himself.

  “You want a cat?” Declan asked.

  “Uh…” Ash looked down at the pavement. “Maybe? I dunno. It might be nice?”

  “Because we can get a cat,” Declan offered. “You gotta walk it, though.”

  “You don’t… walk cats,” Ash said. “I can’t tell if you’re serious.”

  “I’m not. I never had a pet growing up, but I have a vague idea of how cats work.”

  “We had a cat when I was little,” Ash said. “I don’t really remember it much, but I like other people’s cats. I’m fifty percent more likely to sleep with people who have cats, since I have to go to their home to meet the cat.”

  Declan chuckled at that. He hadn’t realized Ash liked cats so much.

  He would have gotten one if he’d known.

  Not to get Ash to sleep with him, obviously, but Ash couldn’t have pets in his apartment. Declan’s apartment building had allowed for cats and small dogs.

  “You should have told me you wanted one. I could have kept it for you.”

  “I never mentioned it because I knew you’d make that exact offer,” Ash said. “You’re too generous for your own good.”

  “Only for you,” Declan said.

  “That’s not true. You’re a very kind man, whatever other people tell you. Kindness is your second-best feature.”

  Declan frowned. “What’s my first best?”

  “Your ass.” Ash turned to grin at him. “We’ve had this conversation, remember?”

  Declan laughed as he did remember it, from the night they’d first come to Hope Springs. That felt like a lifetime ago now.

  A lot had happened since then.

  All of it good, as far as Declan was concerned. He’d been unsure when he first came here, but now he felt as though his life was all falling into place. The puzzle wasn’t quite complete yet, but at least he felt like he had the right reference picture this time.

  Hell, he’d already made three friends in Hope Springs. That brought him to four times the number of friends he’d had this time last week. Things had to be going right.

  Declan paused outside the bookstore to look up at it, amazed that he’d only set foot in it for the first time a few weeks ago. It felt more like home than anywhere else he’d lived.

  They’d only been living there since Sunday. He’d stayed in hotel rooms longer.

  And yet. This place felt like he belonged here.

  He was starting to think that maybe Marv wasn’t as crazy as he’d first imagined. Maybe he’d had some idea what he was doing, after all.

  “I love it too, but do you think we could go inside?” Ash asked, heading for the door.

  Declan followed him, reaching for his keys…

  Which were in his coat pocket. Which Ash was now wearing.

  Of course.

  Without thinking, he reached out and shoved his hand into the pocket from behind, rummaging around until he grabbed hold of the keys.

  Ash turned around, raising an eyebrow at him.

  They were suddenly so much closer than Declan had thought. Maybe three inches between their noses.

  Declan’s breath caught in his throat, surprise at being this close to Ash making his pulse pound in his ears.

  Close enough to kiss him, his brain supplied.

  Where the hell had that come from? He didn’t want to kiss Ash.

  Or…

  “If you’re gonna grope me, the least you could do is buy me a drink first,” Ash murmured, apparently not fazed by their positions.

  Declan shook his head, coming back to himself and pushing all thoughts of kissing—or groping—Ash aside.

  That was weird.

  He unlocked the door, holding it open to let Ash through first. It wasn’t quite toasty warm inside the store, but it was a lot warmer than outside. Once they were upstairs and they’d had a heater on for a few minutes, it’d be nice and comfortable.

  “Thank you for lending me your coat,” Ash said as he struggled his way out of it, eventually holding it out for Declan to take. “I promise to get a warmer one.”

  “Well, in the meantime, my coat is your coat,” Declan said. He wanted Ash to be com
fortable, and he owned other coats. He’d brought three with him, so he could afford to lose one.

  “If it was a sweater you’d never see it again,” Ash responded. “I’m a serial sweater thief.”

  “I’d be willing to bet that no one who’s had their sweater stolen by you would have minded,” Declan said.

  “I don’t really care if they did. If you let me wear it, it’s my sweater. That’s how it works.”

  Declan chuckled. “Sounds like you. Do you not own any of my sweaters yet?”

  “They’d be my sweaters,” Ash said, heading for the stairs.

  “You know what I mean.” Declan followed him, adjusting the thermostat once he got to the landing. It was cold even for him in here, but it’d warm up quickly. This place was surprisingly well heated and insulated.

  Declan understood that Hope Springs was prone to snow, so that explained it. There was nothing in the forecast that suggested they see any this week, but maybe.

  It’d been a while since he’d seen really thick, deep snow. He was secretly looking forward to it, even if it meant having to trudge through it at some point.

  “I don’t own any sweaters that once belonged to you,” Ash said. “But if you’re inclined to donate…”

  Declan swallowed. It suddenly seemed like an intimate thing, something Ash only did with his boyfriends.

  But then, Ash was his husband now. He’d been reminded of that tonight. They hadn’t just signed a piece of paper to get past an annoying hurdle. They were married now.

  Even if they were already planning a divorce, that meant something. It meant something to Declan, anyway.

  And it was starting to sound like it meant something to Ash.

  “I’ll see what I’ve got,” Declan promised. If Ash wanted one of his sweaters, then Ash would have one.

  “You really don’t have to. I was just saying.”

  “Can’t hurt to look. I probably brought a ton of stuff with me that I never wear. If you want it, you might as well have it.”

  A tiny, shy smile spread over Ash’s face.

  Declan had never seen that particular smile before. It made his heart flutter in a way he didn’t entirely understand.

  He swallowed, looking away from Ash.

  “Well… I’m thinking it’s time for a shower and bed, unless you want first dibs?”

  Ash shook his head, the shy smile fading.

  Declan wanted to see it again, so he definitely had to find him an old sweater. Something well-loved. He got the feeling Ash would appreciate that.

  “I’m gonna sit for a while. Maybe make a hot chocolate. You want one for when you’re done in the shower?”

  “I’d love one.” Declan beamed. “Thanks, man.”

  “Yeah, well, we need to warm you up somehow.” Ash shrugged. “Leave me some hot water.”

  “Will do,” Declan promised, heading down the hall.

  Despite his momentary blip of weirdness about kissing Ash, he couldn’t have been more content than he was right now.

  Chapter Fourteen

  By the time their first Saturday night in Hope Springs rolled around, Ash was exhausted. He’d worked every Black Friday, every pre- and post-Christmas sale at his old store, every single year for the past ten, and none of them had left him quite as deeply bone-tired as he was now.

  Not in a bad way, though. He was used to being wrecked after working retail over the holidays, used to having more or less lost faith in humanity by the time Christmas rolled around.

  This was different. He was overwhelmed by the love and support people here had shown both him and Declan, how eager they’d been to come in and look around, how quick they’d been to learn his name and call him by it like he was an old friend.

  He’d been almost moved to tears more times this week than he had been in the entire rest of his retail career, and every time, it’d been over something wonderful.

  All the same, he intended to spend most of Sunday asleep.

  Ash groaned loudly as he sat down on the couch next to Declan, sinking into the cushions with a sigh. The other problem with running a two-man operation was that he didn’t really have anyone to delegate to. He’d gotten into the habit of getting other people to stack shelves under his direction, instead of doing it himself, and he was a little out of shape.

  “You sound like I feel,” Declan said from beside him, not even moving as Ash sat down.

  “It’s been a long week.” Ash sighed, shifting in an attempt to get comfortable, but knowing he wasn’t going to be until he’d had a hot shower and a long night’s rest.

  At least the shower here was pretty good. This place had apparently been standing since the mid-thirties, and in some places it showed. Not that it was all bad. It had character.

  That was what people called creaking pipes and peeling wallpaper, right?

  “You want a shoulder massage?” Declan asked.

  Ash turned to look at him, surprised by the offer.

  “I’m serious,” Declan said. “You look like you could use it, and I need you functional on Monday, because I can’t do this alone.”

  “I’m not gonna say no,” Ash said. “How do you want me?”

  Declan snorted. “Just maybe turn around a little? Unless you wanna sit on the floor.”

  Ash considered that option, but the floor seemed very far away right now. Instead, he turned to his side on the couch, crossing his legs so he was mostly balanced on it.

  He hissed the moment Declan’s fingers made contact with his back, sore muscles protesting at first, but when the warmth of his hands started to seep in, it was bliss. Ash closed his eyes, humming softly as Declan squeezed his shoulders.

  The warmth of Declan’s hands rolled through his body, Ash’s muscles easing progressively under his touch. He bit his lip, squirming under Declan’s touch, heat building deep in his gut.

  It was nice to be touched. He hadn’t had that in a while.

  Declan’s hands were warm and soothing, his fingers finding every knot of muscle and sore spot as though Declan had x-ray vision. Within the space of thirty seconds, Ash had gone from tense and sore to slow, even breathing and heavy eyelids.

  He sighed happily, finally able to relax.

  If it meant bonus shoulder massages, he should have married Declan for an inheritance years ago.

  “Good?” Declan asked after a few moments, when Ash had been silent for a while.

  “Oh yeah,” Ash responded, rolling his shoulders back. “You should consider charging for this.”

  “I don’t think I could do it for just anyone,” Declan said. “I’d have to like them.”

  “So me and your new boyfriend, Marcus,” Ash teased. Marcus had been in a few times, and he and Declan had been chatting excitedly about coffee and pastries the entire time. Declan wasn’t the kind of man who made pastries, but he was a big fan of eating them.

  It was cute, and it made Ash so happy to see Declan making friends. He deserved to have as many people love him as possible.

  “He’s not my new boyfriend,” Declan said. “Even if I was gay, I don’t think he’d be my type.”

  Ash chuckled. “What would your type be?”

  “I dunno,” Declan responded.

  “But not Marcus?”

  “Not Marcus,” Declan confirmed, running the pad of his thumb up and down the back of Ash’s neck. He was starting to get a little oversensitive now, the friction between his clothes and his skin starting to irritate him, but he didn’t want to give up the contact just yet.

  “I like him,” Declan added. “I want to be his friend and everything, but I don’t think… he’s one of the guys, you know?”

  “I hate to break this to you, but one of the primary features of being gay is that your boyfriend does tend to be a guy.”

  “I guess,” Declan said. “I dunno. I know what I mean, but it’s hard to explain.”

  Ash paused for a moment to consider that. He did understand what Declan meant, sort of. Not everyone was h
is type, even if he was perfectly happy to be their friend.

  Declan wasn’t in that category, and Ash had known that for a long time. Declan was his friend, but he was also firmly Ash’s type. Ash wasn’t sure whether or not Declan knew that.

  “You wanna switch positions?” Ash asked, happy to change the subject if it meant he didn’t have to hear he wasn’t Declan’s type, either.

  “Seriously?”

  “Seriously,” Ash said, unfolding his legs so he could change his position. “This has worked wonders for me, and I can’t do this alone, either.”

  Besides, Declan had hurt his shoulder a while back, badly enough to have his arm in a sling for a few weeks. He probably needed this more than Ash did.

  “You don’t have to,” Declan said, even as he shifted to give Ash access to his back.

  “I want to.” Ash put his hands on Declan’s shoulders, wincing at how tight they were. He definitely needed this. “We’re partners. Maybe not… I mean, I know the marriage is fake, but we’re still partners. We should take care of each other.”

  “Hey, I’m not complaining,” Declan said, rolling his shoulders back. “I was just trying to do something nice for you.”

  “And now I’m trying to do something nice for you,” Ash responded. “You deserve it. I’ve seen how hard you worked this week.”

  “We both worked hard,” Declan murmured, grunting as Ash dug his thumbs into the worst of the knots in his back.

  Declan had worked miracles on Ash’s muscles, so Ash was really hoping to return the favor.

  Besides, he liked touching Declan.

  Ash hummed as he worked, focusing on loosening Declan up as much as he could. Declan went quiet almost immediately, only the occasional whimper escaping him, so it was hard to tell how much good he was doing.

  Eventually, though, Declan’s shoulders sagged, and he let out a sigh of relief. Ash grinned, pleased with himself for being some use.

  Declan’s kindness told him that he was getting his best friend back. The warm, gentle man who he’d first met, and the one who’d been hurt so badly by his awful job for the last six years.