Page 80 of The Star in Room 7

He leans across the console and kisses me. “Do you know what that means?”

“What?”

“You’re well and truly a boy.”

“I’m not a boy, Daddy. I’m your boy.”

“So you are.” He retrieves his phone and types out a text. “I’m letting him know we’re on our way to collect your things, because you’ll be moving in with me.”

I nod in agreement.

Nate hits send. “Let’s go.”

The orange-streaked sky is getting dark as we arrive at Halo House. Phoenix opens the door before we even have a chance to get out of the car. He looks as graceful as ever and is smiling broadly.

“Moving in together? That’s wonderful news,” he says.

Nate holds my hand. “I think so.”

“So do I. Phoenix… Thanks for giving me a place to stay, even though I wasn’t ready to admit I needed a room here. I did, and it’s changed my life for the better. If I hadn’t come here and met Nate, I’d probably have given up on my dreams and flown back to the UK. So, thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I’m glad Halo House was able to help you.”

I make a silent promise to myself to give some of my salary to help Halo House keep running. When I get paid! I need to give back, so that other people like Puck and me have somewhere to turn to when they need it most.

“I’ll go and get my things.” I kiss Nate’s cheek. “I won’t be long.”

I jog inside, taking the steps to the second floor two at a time. I’m happy to be moving in with Nate, but at the same time I feel oddly sad. Halo House was a sanctuary when I needed it the most. It’ll be strange to leave it behind.

I go to my room and leave the door open as I toss my things into a bag. I leave all the borrowed clothes behind. A couple of the others wander past, notice what I’m doing, and stop by to say goodbye. We exchange hugs and wish each other well. By the time I’m done packing, I have a lump in my throat the size of the Arctic.

The only person I haven’t seen is Puck. I check the lounge first, but they’re not in there, so I go to their room and knock on the door.

They open it a moment later, holding one of their teddy bears under one arm. They grin when they see me. Their gaze drops to the bag over my shoulder, and their smile falters for half a second before they reassert it. “You’re leaving?”

“Yes. Nate asked me to move in with him.”

“That’s amazing! You must be so excited.”

I am.

Puck grabs a lollipop from the pot on their bedside table and taps it against the air. “I knew Nate would be the right Daddy for you.” They give me their now familiar half-moon smile. “I’m really happy for you.”

Fuck. Why are my eyes stinging with tears? “I wanted to say thanks.”

Puck tilts their head, their large blue eyes questioning.

“You were there for me when I needed a friend. I know you’ve got shit of your own going on, but you never turned me away. You listened and gave me some great advice.”

“And I loaned you a phone charger.”

I laugh. “That, too.”

They unwrap the lollipop and shrug. “You’re welcome.” They pop the lollipop into their mouth.

“Can I give you my number? In case you need a friend.”

“Sure.” They grab their phone, unlock it, and hold it out to me.