Noah

The kids had already eaten, according to their folks, so they remained on the couch to watch a movie while the rest of us devoured our meals at the dining room table. Sophie knew me well, plenty of vegetarian options, and I shot Julian a smug look every time he opted for those instead of meat.

"Will you give it a rest?" he bitched quietly, though he sucked at containing his mirth. "I never said vegetarian food was gross."

I was just fucking with him. I'd stuffed my face with shrimp minutes ago, and I was hardly one to convert people.

"You're such a shit stirrer, Noah," Sophie told me.

I frowned with a mouth full of food. "That’s nothing new, babe. You can do better."

Sophie pointed a fork at me while addressing Julian. "How do you put up with that? I adore the man—he's one of my best friends—but to live with him? Sweet Jesus."

I blew her a kiss as Tennyson and Julian had fun at my expense.

It was a safe choice, though, playfully picking on someone in the group to relax the newcomer. I sent Sophie a brief glance of gratitude, and she winked.

"So, Julian." It was Tennyson's turn, I guessed. "Do you write your own music, too?"

"Sometimes, yes." Julian nodded. "Noah's been trying to get me to use his new baby grand."

"Well, since this morning, you're actually obligated," I drawled.

He rolled his eyes, but fuck that. Learning that he wrote original stuff made me wanna hear him play again even more. The memorial service didn't count.

"You bought a piano?" Sophie cocked her head, her gaze flicking between me and Julian. "You don't play…do you? No, I would have known."

"He plays." I emptied half a container of rice on my plate. "He's worked better for me than Xanax or whatever else a head-fucker would've prescribed me, so it was the least I could do."

Sophie appeared torn between giggles and amusement. "That’s…one of the sweetest and weirdest things I've ever heard from you."

"That’s me. Sweet and weird." I grinned and sat back, draping an arm along the back of Julian's chair. "So enough about us. How was vacation?"

*

It'd been great catching up with my friends, and I was glad Julian seemed to fit in well, but the day caught up with me fairly early. When we'd returned to the loft, my mood had crashed, and I'd retired for the night. But now I was staring at nothing, unable to sleep.

I wasn't restless, though. I was tired as fuck, my mind all but groggy and slow, yet something was up. My gut twisted with unease, and I hoped I wouldn’t have a night of bad dreams to look forward to.

The sound of soft piano music made me sit straight up in the darkness. It was faint, but I heard it. I collapsed down against the mattress again and reached for my phone to check the time.

Almost midnight.

I had a text from Sophie, too.

I'm so happy for you, Noah. We're always here, don't forget that, but I think this is amazing. You've both come far since the memorial, and it was super great to see how close you've become. Love you bunches.

I smiled faintly and brushed my thumb over the screen. Were Julian and I that close? Maybe. I hadn't really thought about it. She could be right, though. I didn't even wanna imagine what my life would look like if Julian hadn't come here. Jesus fucking Christ, I'd most likely still be living at the bottom of a bottle.

I appreciate it, you mush cake. Thanks for tonight, good to have you home. What do you mean by me and Julian being close?

He and I hadn't interacted that much, hence my question. It'd mainly been Sophie who had quizzed him.

Putting aside my phone again, I closed my eyes and concentrated on whatever Julian was playing in the living room. It was somber, tinged with something I could only describe as pain. Akin to hopelessness or a sense of being dragged down. But every now and then, he went off on a lighter tangent.

He was good.

My phone vibrated on the nightstand, so I guessed Sophie was still awake. Having traveled all day, she should've fallen asleep at dinner.

I can't put my finger on it. You're just very aware of each other, and I can tell you're protective of him. It's sweet. I'm off to bed, but we'll have to catch up more soon! Mwah!

Protective, huh? All right, then.

As I got comfortable on my back again, Julian's music was lulling me closer to sleep. I scratched my chest absently.

Maybe we'd take a day off from running tomorrow. A lazy Saturday morning in bed didn't sound half bad. I could get bagels from the coffee shop down the street. I'd force the kid to play more of his music while I continued studying the script.