Series: Fever Falls Series by Riley Hart
Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 81426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Dad raised his glass in a toast. “To family. It’s a parent’s dream to see their kids happy and with good people. Cam…Sawyer…how’d you guys score them?”
We all laughed, and it was obvious Jude and Ray hadn’t expected that. It was so my dad, though.
We ate, and afterward I was in the kitchen with Mom to clean up. “I’ve been wondering for years when my boys would bring someone home. Why am I not surprised you both fell in love the same year?”
I shrugged because it wasn’t a surprise, I guess. It was just Sawyer and me.
“He’s a good man. You did good, Cam. Sawyer did too. It’s nice having two more sons.”
Grabbing her, I pulled her close. Hugged her. Knew how damn lucky I was to have the parents I did, and now Jude would have them along with Ray and Rush’s mom too. “I love you.”
“Aw, I love you too, sweet boy. That’s always been you. You try to come off tough and like you don’t feel anything, but you are fiercely loyal, and I’m not sure there’s anyone in the world who loves like you do. Whether it’s your brother, friends, or us. Hold on to that, and I’m so damn happy to see someone else giving you some love too.”
“Thanks, Ma.” I pulled away, then went to the other room to find my man.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Jude
Awkward Boy takes a page out of Friendly Man’s book. ~ Theo’s comic
“So it was fine? Like absolutely okay? It wasn’t weird or anything and your dad didn’t care like, in any way?” Theo was doing his thing where he rambled and I could hardly keep up with him.
We’d gotten home from Florida the day before. One of the first things I’d wanted to do was let Theo know I’d told my dad about Cam and me. I knew he would want to know, and it was important to me that he saw it was okay. No, I couldn’t guarantee he would have the same response, but I figured he needed to see it was possible.
“I mean, I was nervous, yeah, but I was also angry and hurt. I just sort of said it, but I’m glad I did. I feel like it’s brought my dad and me closer, and I feel better myself, ya know? I hadn’t realized I’d needed to say it to him until I did.”
“Wow…that’s so awesome. I can’t even imagine doing that,” Theo replied, his sketchbook sitting on the table in front of him, long forgotten.
“You will when you’re ready. And if you’re not, that’s okay.”
He nodded. “So then you and your dad just went to Florida?”
Jesus, I still couldn’t believe we’d done that. Luckily, Sawyer had been a lot of help. He’d spoken to his parents and assured us it was okay. It had been one of the best days of my life—being with Cam and his family. Being accepted, and feeling a part of something, and being able to share it with my dad too.
He was still in Fever Falls, surprisingly. I’d half expected him to head right back home, but he’d said he was trying, and I saw he was. We’d had lunch together earlier today as well. I still wished he was staying at the condo with me, but we were making steps in the right direction.
“Yeah. When Cam woke up in the morning, we were already there.” I found myself smiling, thinking about it, about him. “It was a great holiday, but I want to hear about you. How was your Christmas?”
Theo shrugged. “It was all right, I guess. Mom stayed home, which was like, amazing. I mean, I guess she can’t really work on Christmas. I had to spend a couple of days with my dad, and that’s always awkward. I’ve been talking to Trey a lot, though. He’s like, so freaking awesome. And he’s so totally confident in who he is. Like with makeup and stuff. It’s crazy! I don’t know if I’ll ever be that confident.”
I reached over and squeezed his hand. “You will. Cut yourself some slack. Hell, look at me. I was nervous too. It’s not always easy telling people intimate parts of who we are.”
Theo nodded, and then chatted a bit more about Trey and the holidays. I told him about Camden’s gift to me, and he teased me and made kissy faces. The kid was a riot.
We drew for a bit before he had to head home. I was expecting Cam soon, as well. He was coming over after work and staying the night.
A grin automatically split my lips when there was a knock at the door. I pulled it open, and Cam was standing there with wet hair from a shower and Japanese food for dinner.
“Hey, Boyfriend.” Cam wagged his eyebrows at me as he came inside.