Eli got home before his father did. He had no choice.
The lights in the kitchen buzzed to life as he stepped inside, dropping his duffel bag near the door like a boy returning from camp. His body still carried the warmth of Dominic’s sheets, the echo of his voice murmuring against Eli’s skin, and yet here he was—back to the house with straight lines and quiet corners, where everything stayed in its place except him.
His father’s absence was expected. A late meeting, probably. Or a drink with one of the other suits. Eli wasn’t concerned about him. He was concerned about Dominic.
He fished his phone from his pocket and opened their thread. Last night’s messages were still there. The final one from Eli—I miss you already. Don’t forget about me.—sat unanswered.
He typed, Home safe. Thinking about you, and hit send.
No reply.
He waited until the morning.
Monday passed like wet concrete. Heavy. Slow. Drying in all the wrong places.
Eli sat behind his desk at his father's office sorting thro
