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)
Zoey rolled her eyes. “He’s always had a thing about taking care of people he cares about. I tend to think of it as him being a bit of a control freak.”
“No…not David! He doesn’t like to be in control at all,” Jordan said, making everyone around the table laugh.
“Be good, kitten,” I scolded.
“I give you exhibit A,” Ian replied, making the laughter grow, and I could see his surprise at his response. It meant he was comfortable around them, which was what I wanted.
After dinner, Ian and Jordan offered to do the dishes. Mom tried to say no, but I told them to go on. She and I ended up in the backyard, Zoey hanging out to help them.
“How’s Tony?” Mom asked.
“He’s doing well. I haven’t spoken to him in a few weeks.” That was normal for us. We were best friends but lived busy lives. How much you talked to someone wasn’t directly related to how close you were to them.
“The two of you… I love Tony like a son, and I know you love him. I would accept him in a heartbeat if he were who you wanted, but…I always thought you were better as friends.”
I looked at her, surprise creasing my brow. “Really?”
Mom nodded. “I like them. You’re happy.”
“I am.” She knew me well enough to wait me out, and I added, “I love them both. I want to make it work. I want to make them happy. I want to take care of them.” I hesitated a moment, then asked, “Does it bother you?” I knew the answer to that. I wouldn’t have brought them home if I didn’t, but she was still my mom and I was her son, so I needed to hear it.
Maybe some parents would bristle at that, but my mom didn’t. She just said, “You’re incredible, do you know that? To accomplish what you have. We came from nothing, and we struggled, but you never let anything hold you down. You helped me raise your sister when you shouldn’t have had to. You worked and brought home good grades, excelling even more in college. You always stood proud in who you are, even in a neighborhood where it wasn’t okay, and you always stood up for others too. Now you’re a surgeon. You have more money than we ever thought we’d see, but you haven’t forgotten who you are or where you come from. You still do everything to protect those you love, or hell, anyone in need. There’s nothing you can’t accomplish, son, so no, I don’t care. All that matters to me is you’re a good person and you’re happy. You are very much both of those things, and if anyone can make a relationship like this work, it’s you.” She grinned. “Like them young, though, don’t you?”
I chuckled, pulling her into a hug. “Thanks, Mama.”
“Thank you for being you and for trusting us with this. They’re very sweet, very distinct, each of them, but special in their own ways.”
I looked through the sliding glass door. Jordan had his arms crossed and was pouting. Ian had his head dropped back, he and Zoey laughing. “Yeah, yeah they are.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Ian
I never had a more perfect day in my whole life.
After the dishes, we had dessert, and then ended up looking at baby pictures of Zoey and David with David’s mom. She and I had a chance to chat more and get to know each other. I really liked her and hoped to see more of her. Something about Cheryl made me feel…loved.
When it was time to leave, she hugged me tightly. “Thank you for coming, and thank you for making David happy.”
My words were lost on my tongue.
“You make them both happy,” she added. “I hope you see that.”
I pulled away from her and nodded, unsure what to say. She hugged Jordan next, saying something to him as well, while I said goodbye to Zoey.
The ride back home was quiet. I was soaking it all in, how much my life had changed…
“I’m happy,” I said when we stepped into the house. “It’s stupid to just realize the extent of it, but between working on the house and the center and Peyton, the two of you, and tonight… I know she’s not mine, but it felt like it, like I had family, a mom, and I’m…happy. I didn’t think I would ever be.”
“It’s not stupid,” Jordan replied. “You do have family. You’ll always have family, and you’ll always have me. I’m in love with you. That’s how it works.”
I gasped, my eyes darting to Jordan and holding on. The words he’d said consumed me, wrapped around me, held me. He loved me? How could he love me?
No one was ever supposed to love me. How could they, when my own mom couldn’t?