Page 62 of Key of Kink

“You do,” Finnley retorted cheerfully. “You texted me theories at 1 a.m. Not that I minded, but I was working at the time. Bit hard to read a text when you’re on a bike or knocking on someone’s door.”

Oliver’s mouth twitched. He exhaled. “Fine. I’ll sit in the living room like a person.”

Finnley grinned triumphantly. “Victory.” He turned his attention to Liam. “And I know you share a house with a bunch of other nurses, but they’re all in the same boat as you. Are you working tonight?”

“Not tonight, no. Tomorrow morning.”

“Then come home with us. Have a night off from talking blood and guts.”

Liam shifted his weight. “I’ll be fine.”

I met his eyes. “But the point is, you don’t have to be fine here.”

He held my gaze for a second.

Theo cleared his throat. “Coffee,” he said. “After this. All of us.”

Julian groaned. “I have an… appointment.”

Theo arched his eyebrows. “Can you miss it?”

He smirked. “Not really. It’ll pay my rent for this month.” Then he sighed. “But he did say I could choose between tonight and tomorrow, so I’ll text him.” Julian grinned. “I’m sure I can think of ways to make it up to him.”

Elliott raised his hand. “I vote food. Something unhealthy.”

“Agreed,” Finnley said immediately.

Zane pointed at Liam. “And I repeat, you’re not going home alone.”

Liam looked for a moment as if he might argue the point, but then a sigh rolled out of him. “Okay.”

Theo picked up his clipboard again. “Right. From the bridge.”

We started again, and this time the harmony felt fuller. Not perfect, but connected. I felt it in the blend: Oliver leaning into Milo’s breath, Liam finding steadiness between Elliott and Julian.

This was what we do. We hold each other.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, but I didn’t reach for it.

“Max, if you’re going to be distracted, at least do it in tune.” Theo’s tone was mild. Laughter rippled through the room.

“I am not distracted.”

Another buzz.

Julian stopped mid-phrase. “Oh, you definitely are.”

“Whoever he is, it looks like he’s worked his way out of the ropes,” Elliott said with a grin.

Theo tapped his clipboard against his thigh. “Break. Five minutes.”

My phone buzzed again, and this time I couldn’t ignore it. I pulled it from my jeans pocket and unlocked the screen.

Quinn: I alphabetised half the returns trolley wrong today. This is on you.

A photo followed of a crooked stack of books, and on it was a Post-it note with one word printed on it.

DISTRACTED