The quints of loud knocks didn't have an effect so the next best thing was the spattering of doorbell rings.
That got a reaction, open door and a typical scowl.
Edge gawked at first, removed his sunglasses, rubbed his eyes, commenced slack jawed staring.
'Man you have a cat on your head.'
Wade grumbled and relocated Carrot to a shoulder. 'Thanks for the news update.'
'Hey don't grouch at me because I'm surprised. I never thought of you as a cat person.'
'And you shouldn't still since I'm not. Step inside, we've plenty to discuss.'
A lounge on the sofa and a big glass of water plus a cat purring around his sneakers made it comfortable to talk.
'you'd like me to play petsitter? Because I don't mind. Jay-Jay would LOVE to and besides-'
'You live in North Carolina.'
'Yep..' Adam bent down enough to pet Carrot.
'You LIVE in North Carolina.'
'Er...yeah...I moved there to see snow again, but I'm sure I told you that already.'
'In the mountains.' wade shifted in his seat, glanced at Edge, confused Canadian and pleading Brit.
'Oh NO I am not talking to him! Your love life is yours to fix.'
'You HAVE to! He won't speak to me.'
'then you make him speak. And listen. And understand.'
'I've done everything plus extra. Nothing works.'
'then MAKE it work.' Edge paused and grimaced. 'Sorry I sound like a fashion designer.'
'Traitor. What's the latest gossip, that I'm solo now?'
'Nothing to concern over, nobody believes it anymore than they think Magnus has been sniffing around.'
Edge shrugged and his host's eyes bulged.
'He HAS?!'
'Calm down, he hasn't. And if he HAS he's invisible cause nobody's seen him around.'
wade relaxed but not completely. 'He'd best stay away, hands off, him and all the rest. I've enough stress without fending off suitors.'
'It's okay. Everything's cool.'
'For you and your perfect romance, yes. Mine's a mess.'
'In shambles can be resolved. I almost lost my Creek for good and look where we are now.'
'Do me a favor at least and keep watch. You're closer than I am in location.'
edge nodded.
'Sure.'
'I'm going home for...awhile. I need to feel close to George again, go back and visit the places we met and twit Andrew and my favorite spots.'
'I suspect there are females lined up ready to hit Drew's 'spots'.' Edge quipped. He didn't know who George was therefore didn't comment about him.
'Lined out the door and prepared.' wade smiled, tired yet beginning to feel slightly happy. 'Men too.'
'Of course. So i should take Carrot or?'
'i'd rather have Carrot with me. No offense.'
'None taken.'
'I am grateful, no lie.'
''Yeah I know.'
'And I gladly give my health to make yours better.'
'No need, i played and now I suffer for my mistakes. That's life, huh?'
'Miserable mostly with some sunshine now and then.'
'You won't stay cloud covered forever, I swear you won't.'
'Great because I feel like buying another umbrella at night.'
Carrot rubbed around his neck, balanced on grand cat perch of large wide shoulder, tanned with brown freckled patches.
sheckles, Heath had called them, shoulder freckles.
wade felt dampness in his eyes. no tears he told himself, probably just a cat allergy.
So much for not lying.
Zipped closed the final suitcase, gave smooches to all the framed photos of his men, past, present and future.
Carrot on his shoulder, small jungle companion purring in his ear, both ready for travel.
Leaving home and returning, all in one trip.
