If you wanted to [TordTom]

XVIII

Tom pressed the phone against his ear. "Hello?"

"Hello, Tom," Tord answered groggily over the line. He could hear the bedsheets rustling and Tord's light chuckles. "What do you need?"

"Where do you live? I need to give something back..." Tom could hear Tord shuffling to get his car keys and feet against the carpet.

"I'll pick you up. Where are you?"

"No, I really want to go there on my own, unless you don't want me to see your house," Tom quickly cut Tord off before he could propose anything else.

"You can. I just don't want you to get tired. It's three blocks down straight ahead from the left side of your house. I'll be outside waiting."

"Thank you. I'll be driving, so don't worry about me getting tired," Tom smiled before ending the call. He didn't know why he was smiling, but he felt happy hearing how much Tord was concerned for him. Maybe Tamara was right, and he should just accept these as genuine interactions instead of something with an ulterior motive. Tord has changed for the better; he's going to be fine.

Tom looked at his watch. "5:15."

Looks like he still has plenty of time to find Tord a housewarming gift, just to show that they are on good terms. He looked around before grabbing a small pot and filling it with soil. He looked around his mother's garden before choosing to plant a small pink peony, also making a mental note to tell Tord to move it somewhere if it grows older. He smiled at how dainty the potted peony looks before placing it on the passenger seat and putting on its seatbelt. Hopefully, Tord doesn't throw it away.

Before deciding to drive, Tom gave himself a bit of a pep talk and tried to run down things he needed: car keys, wallet, housewarming gift, himself. Tom paused and thought for a minute. It feels like he was forgetting something.

Tord's coat—the thing he was trying to return in the first place. Tom undid his seatbelt and ran back to the house where he was greeted by Tamara holding Tord's trench coat with her eyebrows raised.

"Okay. No more distractions."

Tom placed the trench coat beside the peony and wrapped the seatbelt around them. He inserted his car keys and began driving. He was there for one thing, and it was better to do it now.

The houses straight ahead began to look taller and stylish. It was strange seeing how the houses became more modern and expensive as he moved forward. There were expensive cars lining up garages, vast yards, tall fences, large pools, and a road that is paved. It looked expensive. And to think that Tord was living somewhere like this was enough to make him embarrassed. There were people watching him drive past them.

How could Tord afford to live in something like this? Not that he was doubting Tord's ability to sustain himself (he's not shallow), but he always assumed that the golden rule of "the-people-who-bully-you-will-end-up-sad-and-poor" would come true. But it seemed like Tord handled himself pretty well outside of the frustrations he had with him.

Tom could feel himself sinking into his seat. His car was a hand-me-down from Tamara, which was their parents' car before Tamara was born. It's a metallic blue color and has been repaired multiple times, making it last a bit longer. But the wheels are sometimes creaky, and the window tints have visible scratches. Maybe he should have asked Tord to pick him up instead.

Tom exhaled slowly while counting to ten; their opinion wouldn't matter because these are people he would never see again. He just needs to drive with confidence. He smiled and sat up; he needs to be confident; he is seeing Tord again, and this should not ruin his mood at all. His overthinking is not going to ruin his mood.