Page 62 of Septembers

“It won’t fit in the new apartment,” Theo said, outright lying. “I’m devastated.”

Jason steamrolled past his sarcasm and tucked it under his arm. “Anyone mind if I⁠—”

“Take it,” Liana barked. “Get it the hell out of this house.”

Jason disappeared with the offensive death trap while Caleb heaved the last box and followed him, leaving Theo alone with the two women who’d raised him.

The living room didn’t seem all that different without his stuff—it wasn’t like he had a lot—but it felt different. Like something was missing.

“Looks like that’s everything.” His mom’s voice was thick.

Liana rubbed her back. “Think of all the fun we can have now that we don’t have this freeloader weighing us down.”

“I’m right here.” Theo pulled them both into a hug, which was always adorable because their heads didn’t make it past his shoulders. “You know you can visit my cool new apartment anytime.” He paused, wiping a stray tear. “Okay not any time, but you can come at appropriate times. If you call first.”

“That’s cute.” His mom patted his arm with one hand and wiped her nose with the other. It was very gross. “I’m coming any time I want.”

“Love you.” He kissed her on the forehead, then hugged his aunt again and whispered, “Take care of her.”

“If by that you mean get her drunk, I’m already on it.”

Taking the first step beyond the threshold was hard, like the air had turned viscous just to stop him, but the second step was easier, and then all he had to do was take another, and another, until he was at Jason’s car—a cute relic that needed a pep-talk before it would start.

“What’s with the frozen dinners?” Theo moved them from the back seat, so he could sit down amidst his boxes, duffle bags, and the one suitcase he owned.

“Your mom wanted to thank us for helping,” Jason said, turning the key in the ignition, then shushing them as he counted to five, let go, then pumped the brakes, holding his breath to see if the car would continue to run.

It did. It was all very exciting.

“You guys are helping me move. I’m treating you to a real dinner tonight, no microwave required.”

“So…” Caleb turned in the front seat, the seatbelt almost strangling him. “Pizza?”

“Yes, but from the fancy place with the smelly cheese.”

Jason hummed. “I love smelly cheese.”

Theo rested his elbow on the open window and breathed in the city. The autumn breeze carried exhaust, spicy meat, and turning leaves.

And new beginnings. For all of them.

He watched Jason’s profile as he merged into traffic, a skill Theo had yet to master. His tight curls were the kind of messy that had definitely been shaped that way, and his voice as he sang along to the radio could melt rock into magma.

“The internship is good for you.”

Jason’s lip hiked up on one side. “It’s minimum wage.”

Caleb shook his head. “No, Theo’s right. I’ve never seen you this confident before.”

His smile was dazzling as he stole a glance at them. “They hinted they want to keep me on when my contract is over.”

“They’d be stupid not to.” Theo’s phone buzzed and he pulled it out so fast that it escaped his fingers and wedged itself between the seats. He swore and started digging.

Jason was unsuccessful in holding back his snicker. “Finally. You’ve been checking your phone all day with a sad-sack pout. Is it him?”

Dae hadn’t texted him back since his drunken escapade. Theo had been sending hangover tips and pictures of every bizarre knick-knack he found during the moving process, all with no response. They’d never gone this long without at least texting before, and it was making him itchy.

He finally fished his phone out of the dark, evil crevasse to find a picture of his mom and aunt drinking wine straight from the bottle. Whatever his face and body did must’ve been depressing as hell because Caleb hissed through his teeth and twisted back in his seat to face the right way.