Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 100301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Around the same time, Granny had taken a fall. Jordan was beside himself, feeling guilty for leaving her alone. He’d even tried to move back in with her, not because he wanted to leave us, but because he loved her, but Granny wouldn’t have it. That was when I knew she’d truly accepted my relationship with her grandson.
Peyton had also been looking into a CNA program at one of the local nursing homes. The local school sponsored a promising student every year, and Ian, knowing Peyton had a caretaker streak in them, had talked them into applying.
And that’s when Ian had come up with an idea that would help both Granny and Peyton. One meeting with Granny was all it took, and Peyton rented a room with her, at low cost. They were in a safe place, learning a trade, and both Peyton and Granny had someone close. Win-win.
“No worries. Thank you for coming,” I told Peyton. They smiled at me, before their eyes darted around, looking for Ian. He was still a source of comfort for them. “He’s over there.” I pointed to the table where he sat with Mom.
“Thank you,” they replied.
Peyton helped Granny over to Jordan, where he and Finley fretted over the table of food, trying to make everything perfect, and then they joined Ian and Mom.
I made my way over to where Tony and Aidan stood, talking about Tony’s recovery. It hadn’t been easy, but he was nearly one hundred percent now, and he’d taken a position at a local hospital.
Things had been a little awkward when he first began spending time with me and my boys, but like things had a habit of doing, they worked themselves out. He didn’t get it, but he didn’t have to. Our lives weren’t his. The world would be a much happier place if people just let others live their own lives. Tony did that. I was happy, and he saw it. That was enough for him.
“I can’t believe you agreed to a birthday party,” Aidan said. It wasn’t something he would like at all.
“Jordan was excited. Don’t pretend if Finley asked, you wouldn’t give in as well.” I cocked a brow at him.
He shrugged because we both knew it was true.
“Or, you know, you can admit you really like being the center of attention,” Tony teased, and the three of us laughed.
“Well, there is that too.”
We talked a bit about work, then returned to the food table.
“The food looks good,” Tony told Jordan.
“Thanks! I tried to make more desserts, but David was all, sugar blah, blah, blah,” Jordan said playfully.
“He’s no fun,” Tony joked back, and I enjoyed seeing my oldest friend interact with Jordan.
We chatted for a few more minutes, before walking over to where everyone else was sitting.
“Are you busy tomorrow?” Mom asked Ian. He looked at me, and I shrugged. We didn’t have anything planned.
“Mom needs my help installing a new ceiling fan,” Ian said with a smile. It warmed my heart every time I heard him call her that. She’d told both of them they could if they wanted to, and Ian always did. The two of them were close, went out to lunches and movies. While I knew she cared about both Ian and Jordan, she had a soft spot for Ian, and for him, he felt like for the first time in his life he had a mom.
“I’ll make us lunch too,” she added.
“Oh, I see how it is. I don’t get a lunch invite?”
“Eh, I guess you can come along.” Mom winked. “Jordan and Zoey mentioned wanting to go out to do something.”
“I’m beginning to think the women in my life like the men in my life more than me,” I joked, and Mom reached for my hand.
“I love you, sweet boy.”
“I love you too, Ma.”
Tony said, “I wanted to talk to you later too, Ian. There’s some work I’d like to get done on my new house, and I wanted to see if you could help.”
“Yeah, of course. If we don’t catch up today, I’ll call you,” Ian replied.
“Perfect. Thanks, man.”
It wasn’t long before Jordan turned on some music and pulled me toward him to dance. Finley got Aidan out too. Tony danced with Mom, Ian with Peyton. Eventually, Jordan and Zoey were trying to teach dance moves to Granny that had me slightly worried we might have another fall, but luckily, we didn’t. She smiled, showing them up and proud of it.
We all ate and talked. Jordan sat on my lap, fingering my hair, and said, “Wow. Look at all that gray.”
“Hey, be nice, kitten.” I gave him a playful eye that said he would be in trouble for that later. I knew he’d enjoy the hell out of it.
“Don’t worry, David. Ian and I already had a talk. We decided silver foxes are hot.”