Mess Is Mine • The Pack

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen

Preston stayed at the psychiatric hospital for two weeks. Lachlan visited everyday but still, those two weeks felt like months for him. Every day he'd find himself waiting for a snarky text from Preston or pushing through his day only to come home and remember he isn't there. He'd sleep alone, one side of his bed painfully empty and cold.

Ruby took full advantage of the empty space. Almost every night she slept with Lachlan. One night she said, "If I lay here it's like Daddy Preston is here with us." She missed Preston too.

When Preston did come home, he spent the first two days in bed. He seemed exhausted. Lachlan didn't stress. It will pass, it always does.

Monday morning rolled around faster than Lachlan wanted. All he's done is will for time to go by, but now that he has Preston back home and time is passing them by.

He doesn't want to leave him. Not because he thinks Preston is depressed or that he needs the supervision but because he is selfish and wants to spend time with him. Even if it's just laying here, Lachlan's content.

It's been too long. Too damn long.

Preston watched Lachlan as he rubbed his thumb along his cheek.

His eyes take in Preston. The dark circles under his eyes, his pale, chapped lips, his bed-head. Memorizing him in this moment. This quiet moment, the house still and the birds not making a single peep. The whole universe frozen for them, giving a peace they both needed.

"Don't you have work?"

"I do, but who needs work anyways," Lachlan mumbled, ceasing his movements on his cheek.

Preston shifted closer.

"I think everyone in this house agrees we do."

"That is true."

"Don't be lazy." Preston challenged.

"Me, lazy?" He raised his eyebrows. "Really, we're gonna play that game now are we?"

"Your alarm went off, what, twenty minutes ago? You should be nearly ready by now."

"Monday's suck ass."

Preston smiled, nodding in agreement. He squeezed their intertwined hands, "You know I'm okay, right? You don't have to worry."

Lachlan shifted a little closer. "I know, this about me and my selfishness. I want to see you."

"You can see me when you get home from work. I'll have dinner ready and afterwards we'll inevitably have to play some form of board game with Ruby and Jess and Alfie will join because I will make them. We can put Ruby to bed early and do whatever you'd like."

"That sounds nice."

"All after a hard day of work," Preston coerced.

Lachlan looked unsure for a moment before pressing his lips to Preston's. He kissed back, lips spreading into a smile.

Lachlan pulled back, grinning at the sight of a happy Preston. Then he wiped a hand through his hair, sighing. He rolled away from Preston and climbed out of bed.

"I'm doing this for you," Lachlan says, feeling Preston's gaze on his back.

"Get me that money, sugar daddy," Preston says in a way too serious tone.