“Uh, is that a rhetorical question?”
John laughed. “My stepfather was cooking up something that smelled pretty good when I left the house. You’re welcome to join us.”
“I probably stink from running.”
“There’re like six showers in the house, and I can loan you some clothes.”
Niall gave him a side-eyed look. “Are you sure they won’t mind?”
In his past life, it never would’ve occurred to John to invite a friend home for any reason. In this life, he had no doubt his friend would be welcome. “I’m positive.”
“Then I’d love to. Thanks for asking.”
“Let’s go.”
They got up, stretched out the kinks from sitting and took off at an easy pace back toward the palatial house his mother now called home. Unlike the home he’d grown up in, this house was full of love and acceptance and peace. Perhaps in that home, he could finally and safely come out to his mother and the rest of the family.
He’d give that some thought, too. He had a lot to think about, but as he ran along with Niall, he pushed all his other worries aside to enjoy the sunset and the start of a new friendship.