Love Means No Boundaries - Andrew Grey

know what to say to you,” Robbie confessed as he nestled in the crook of Joey’s arm.
“Nothing to say, not now.” He heard Joey’s voice break, and he was hugged tighter.
Robbie let his hands wander over Joey’s chest.
“What are you doing?”
“Sending a message to your heart not to forget me.” His fingers beat a gentle staccato rhythm on Joey’s skin.
“Is that Morse code?”
“Yeah, I learned it as a kid. Used to drive my mother and the maids crazy, sending messages to friends that they couldn’t understand.” “I don’t know what you’re saying?”
    “I know, but your heart does.” Robbie kept up the soft tapping, repeating the message again and again. He kept up the soft tapping as Rex found them, jumping on the bed. He kept sending the message as the kittens joined them. He didn’t stop until he fell asleep with Joey’s arms holding him close.
Robbie woke to the sound of rain. Howappropriate. Even the weather understood how he was feeling. He felt Joey stir as a soft buzzing sounded in the room. He didn’t know what to say, and obviously Joey didn’t either, because he held him tight even as others began moving in the house.
“Joey, Robbie.” There was a soft knock on the door, “You need to get ready. You have to leave in less than an hour.” Even Eli’s voice reflected what they were feeling.
    “Do you need help packing?” Joey got out of bed and Robbie felt his eyes on him.
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“No, I’ll be okay.” He needed a few minutes to get himself together.
“I’ll bring your clothes over to you in a few minutes.” Joey took his arms and pulled him into a kiss that had his head swimming. When Joey pulled back, he made his way to the door and across the quiet hallway to his room.
    After dressing, he slowly and carefully put his things in his suitcase: his music sliding into the outside pocket, his clothes packed in a neat order. “You knew this was going to happen, but you fell in love anyway.” He spoke to himself, trying to vocalize what he was feeling. But he knew he wouldn’t change it, not now, not for anything.
Robbie heard the door open. “I’ve got your tux, and someone else came to say goodbye.”
     
Rex jumped on the bed and Robbie patted him affectionately, getting licks and kisses in return. “You take care of those kittens.” Damn it. The knot was forming in his throat again.
     
Taking the clothes from Joey, he continued packing as he heard Joey’s footsteps retreat and return. “Robbie.” Joey sounded as choked up as Robbie.
    “Come with me.”
“Stay with me.”
They said together, each knowing that what they were asking wasn’t possible, but they said it anyway.
“I know,” they said in unison. Robbie had to go home. It was where his family was. His mother might be a pain and a little smothering, but it was home. And he’d never really ask Joey to give up the farm and his family here.
    “What will you do when you get home?” Joey asked as Robbie finished packing. They’d never talked about anything that would 122 Love Means … NO Boundaries
happen after Robbie left. Neither of them had wanted to think about it.
“Hopefully, I can audition for a permanent place with a symphony.” Think about you. Wish you were with me. Robbie closed his suitcase and zipped it closed. “Is there anything I forgot?” He heard Joey move around the room. “No” Joey picked up the suitcase and carried it downstairs. Robbie followed after listening to the sounds of the house for a final time before making the trip through the now-familiar house to the kitchen. “I know you have to go, but we’ll miss you, and you’re welcome here any time.” He felt Eli give him a hug and step back before he was engulfed in another hug from Geoff.
    “Take care and call us.” Damn, had he heard Geoff getting emotional?
“I will.”
They stepped back, and Joey led him to the car, placing his luggage in the trunk.
The car started, and Robbie felt it move, pulling out of the gravel drive and onto the smooth road, retracing the route they’d taken as strangers just two weeks earlier.
     
“Joey, I really wish I could stay.”
     
“I know. It’s okay. I wish I could go with you, but what would I do? I’m a farmer and this is what I know. And I know that you’d have no opportunities here. You need to be where you can make your music, and it isn’t like you could do that here. I know all that.
    I’m just not happy about it.” Robbie heard the hurt and