Chapter 43

In the kitchen he washes the few dishes in the sink as he watches Doug from the window. His boyfriend looks exhausted—Ritchie can tell he’s had a long day from the slump of his shoulders. Working a ten hour shift then jetting off to class is really doing him in, but it’s only one night a week and he’ll be able to get a better job once he has his journeyman’s. Tonight he won’t be in the mood for much action, Ritchie suspects. Doug’s slow gait and hung head tell him that.

Ah well, Ritchie thinks, rinsing off the last dish and tucking it into the drainer beside the sink. I love him anyway.An evening spent cuddling together isn’t so bad, even if Ritchie ishard as a board for his boy.

The key scrapes into the lock, turns, and the door opens. Ritchie wipes his hands on a nearby towel to dry them as he turns, a smile already sliding into place. “Hey, babe,” he starts.