CHASING TIME, HOLDING YOU

Sunlight broke gently into the room, warming the crisp white sheets tangled around Caleb’s waist. He stirred slowly, the scent of fresh eggs and something sweet pulling him from sleep.

Caleb opened his eyes slowly, and there he was—Henry, shirtless, unkempt hair falling perfectly over his brow, holding a breakfast tray like he was presenting a treasure.

“Good morning, prince charming,” Henry said with a soft smile, setting the tray down on the bedside table. “I figured you deserved a little something special.”

“You made me breakfast?” Caleb murmured, voice thick with sleep.

Henry leaned in, brushed a kiss over Caleb’s forehead. “Only the best for the man who haunts my dreams.”

A lazy smile spread across Caleb’s face as he sat up, the sheet slipping to his waist, revealing his toned chest. “You really trying to make me fall hard, huh?”

Henry chuckled, climbing onto the bed beside him. “Too late. You already did.”

The tray held warm croissants, scrambled eggs, strawberries, and a glass of orange juice. Caleb took a bite, humming with satisfaction.

“You know,” Henry murmured, sliding closer, “you look really good like this… all soft, all mine.”

Caleb set the fork down, leaning in. “And you—naked chef with a six-pack and a tray of food? Dangerous.”

Their lips met again, slowly, then hungrily, until Caleb’s phone buzzed on the drawer. He groaned, reaching for it.

>Reminder: 10am pitch meeting. Boss moved it earlier.

“Sh*t!” pushing the tray aside carefully. “I need to shower now.”

“You have time,” Henry said, relaxing against the pillows.

“No, I don't. I—wait, where are my clothes?” Caleb stood, spinning around the room.

Henry stood, proud. “Washed, dried, ironed. In the closet.”

Caleb’s jaw dropped. “You did my laundry? And ironed it?”

“I own a smart laundry unit. It practically folds for me.” He smirked.

Caleb stared at him, then walked straight into his arms. “You’re perfect”

Henry pulled him in for a short, intense kiss. “Just grateful you stayed the night.”

Caleb kissed back quickly. “I’d stay every night if I could. But I gotta run. Derek’s waiting outside.”

“Derek?” Henry raised a brow.

“My nosy best friend. He insisted on driving me so I wouldn’t be late. He’s already outside.”

“I could drop you,” Henry offered.

Caleb pulled on his dress shirt. “Tempting, but Derek’s already out there."

“Tonight,” he whispered, “at the bachelor party. You’ll be there?”

“I’ll be the most overdressed man in the room. Just for you,” Henry replied.

---

Outside, Derek sat in his car, window rolled down, smirking like a devil. Sunglasses on, grinning the moment Caleb opened the door.

“You look well-f**ked,” Derek said with a snort.

“Oh my god,” Caleb muttered, slipping in.

Derek grinned. “You told me you were at his place and then dropped the address like some mafia handoff. I need details.”

Caleb shook his head, lips twitching. “One, it was incredible. Two, he made me breakfast in bed. And three, Was... insanely sweet.”

“You like him,” Derek said, laughing.

Caleb didn’t deny it. “I might.”

Derek let out a dramatic gasp. “Plot twist! And here I thought you were gonna play hard to get.”

Caleb gave him a playful shove. “Shut up and drive. We have a meeting to attend.”

---

The ballroom at The Beacon was transformed into a haven of low lights, soft jazz, and champagne bubbles. Twinkling fairy lights strung across the ceiling cast a glow over the elegant space. Caleb arrived with Derek and Jaden, all three dressed sharply.

“You’re glowing,” Derek teased. “Tell me that’s not love.”

“I’m not sure what it is,” Caleb replied, grinning. “But it’s… real.”

“Lover boy,” Derek winked. “He’s coming, right?”

“He promised he wouldn’t miss it,” Caleb replied.

Will, the groom-to-be, stood at the heart of the room, radiating joy as he spread his arms wide.

“Look who’s here! The holy trinity.” He laughed, pulling them into a group hug before shaking each hand with warmth.

Just then, Henry walked in, wearing a dark blazer over a turtleneck, looking painfully handsome, confident, composed, but visibly tense when his eyes fell on Jaden.

Jaden didn’t move, His smile stayed put, but his grip on his glass subtly shifted.

“Sorry I’m late,” Henry said, eyes darting quickly to Caleb, then flicking back to Jaden in a way he prayed no one noticed.

Caleb brightened. “You made it.”

Will called out, “Just in time. We were about to vote on who passes out first.”

Henry forced a chuckle. The only seat left was beside Caleb—directly across from Jaden.

He sat down with measured care. His throat felt dry. The laughter around him sounded distant.

Caleb nudged him playfully. “You okay?”

Henry nodded, eyes never leaving his glass. “Yeah. Long day. This helps.”

Then Jaden spoke, calm, cutting. “So… Henry, right?”

Henry looked up slowly. “Yeah.”

“I feel like we’ve met before,” Jaden said, tone light, but his eyes razor sharp. “You look familiar.”

Henry didn’t flinch. “Maybe in passing.”

Jaden tilted his head, studying him. “Hm. Maybe.”

Caleb frowned a little, glancing between them. “You two don’t actually know each other?”

Jaden smiled. “Not really. Do we?”

Henry’s jaw tightened. “No. Not really.”

Caleb let out a confused laugh. “You guys are weird.”

Will, already a few drinks deep and with the swagger of a man who’d forgotten his own limits, hoisted his glass and cleared his throat.

“Alright, listen up guys,” he slurred, voice loud enough to cut through the background music. “I appreciate you all for coming.”

Caleb smirked, but Henry’s gaze flickered toward Jaden.

“Heartily, I appreciate Mr. Henry for his generosity. I feel honored—thank you so much.”

Henry’s lips curled into a half-smile, the kind that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “You’re welcome, man.”

“I promised I’d announce who my best man is tonight,” Will said, his voice rising above the buzz of conversation. “And you all know I love every single one of you."

“Say it already,” Derek groaned, rolling his eyes dramatically, making everyone laugh harder.

Will raised a hand, commanding playful silence. “At my wedding tomorrow…” He paused, letting the moment stretch just long enough for suspense. “My best man will be—Caleb.”

Cheers erupted. Caleb blinked, stunned, then broke into a wide grin. He stepped forward, heart full, wrapping Will in a warm embrace. Without hesitation, he pressed a quick peck to Will’s cheek. His friends whooped louder.

“Careful,” Derek called out, chuckling. “He’s taken, you know.”

Caleb pulled back just enough to flash Derek a smug look. “Get lost. Told you I’d be the best man.”

Will laughed, resting a hand on Caleb’s shoulder. “To be honest… it wasn’t even my call.”

Caleb blinked. “Wait—what?”

Will’s smile deepened. “Mia chose you.”

Caleb froze mid-laugh, mouth falling open. “Wait, what?”

“We swapped,” Will said with a smirk. “I chose her maid of honor, and she picked you.”

Derek groaned dramatically. “Oh, I am absolutely crucifying Mia for that.”

Caleb turned, grinning at him. “Jealousy… is that you?”

“I plan surprises for her. I shop with her. I listen to baby name ideas even though she’s not even pregnant yet,” Derek said, gesturing wildly. “And she still picked you.”

Caleb raised his brows. “Well, clearly, she’s got great taste. She made me best man… and she’s making you a godfather soon. No cheating roles.”

Derek scoffed, playfully scowling. “Ugly.”

Caleb burst out laughing, nudging Derek with his elbow.

Derek narrowed his eyes, “Love you bro.”

“Love you too,” Caleb shot back, raising his drink.

Derek broke the tension with a laugh. “Come on, guys—cheers to the groom!” Raising his glass, Caleb clinked it with Henry’s, and they all cheered.

As the party slowed, Caleb leaned close to Henry, voice low and steady. “Take me home?”

"Jaden shifted, the ghost of a smirk tugging at his lips as he caught Henry’s eye across the room—an exchange so fleeting, no one else noticed."

Henry didn’t hesitate. His hand found the small of Caleb’s back, firm and sure. “Let’s go.”

---

Henry drove with one hand, the other resting on Caleb’s knee.

Caleb, barefoot in the passenger seat, watched him with fond mischief. “You keep doing all this, people are going to think I don’t own a car.”

Henry glanced over, smirking. “Let them. I want to be the reason you never wait alone again.”

Caleb’s heart stuttered.

“You’re something else.”

“I’m yours,” Henry replied, turning down the volume of the soft jazz playing.

They fell into silence for a while, enjoying the warmth, the hum of the car, and the intimacy of just… being.

Then Caleb turned, teasing. “So when do I meet the man who made you this intense?”

Henry lifted a brow. “My father?”

“Yup.”

“You sure?”

“I’ve been kissed in a ballroom and fed strawberries in bed. I’m ready for anything.”

Henry laughed. “Okay, but I should warn you. He’s charming and terrifying. Think Gordon Ramsay with a throne.”

“I’ll charm him,” Caleb said confidently.

“You sure?” Henry asked.

Caleb glanced out the window, smiling. “Positive.”

Caleb smirked. “As long as he doesn’t throw me out for stealing his son’s heart, I’m game.”

Henry grinned, eyes sparkling. “Trust me, after meeting you, he’ll probably ask if he can date you too.”

Caleb laughed, shaking his head. “You’re such a jerk.”

Henry’s smile softened. “Well, then Monday it is.”

Caleb nodded, a quiet smile playing on his lips as he looked at Henry.