Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Annie’s eyes got glossy and a smile pulled at her lips. “You’re a good man, just like my Shane.”
“Aww, look at what you’re doing. You’re gonna make me blush.”
“Thank you, Van. I’m glad you’re here.”
“I’m glad I’m here too.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Shane’s body was so exhausted, his bones could hardly hold him up. He’d stayed at work an hour late, which wasn’t a big deal. He stayed late often, so he wasn’t sure why it made him so goddamn tired today, but all he wanted to do was climb in bed and pass out.
Well, maybe have sex first. He was never too tired to have sex with Van. He smiled at the thought of having Van in his home. In such a short amount of time, he’d become a fixture in Shane’s life. One he knew would devastate him to lose—not because it was another loss like his father or Caleb but because it was Van.
And damn, he was getting really fucking emotional.
He pulled up beside Van’s car and killed the engine. He liked pulling up next to another vehicle.
He stepped down out of his truck and glanced at his mom’s house. He’d go inside, tell Van he was home, run next door, and then the two of them could get to the fucking and sleeping.
As he climbed the stairs to his porch, he heard music coming from inside. Shane smiled, wondering if Van listened while he painted or if he was doing something else.
He pushed the door open saying, “Honey I’m—” His joke was cut off by laughter. Laughter he knew and that didn’t belong to Van.
His mom’s head was dropped back, the loud, happy sound falling from her lips as Van had his arms around her, dancing. His mom was dancing in his living room with Van.
“Honey, you’re home?” Van winked at him, continuing what had originally been Shane being playful, but he didn’t reply. He couldn’t move. His feet had become too heavy to lift, like they’d been dipped in cement and were stuck to the ground.
His mom stood up straight again. Van dropped one of his arms but kept the other around her.
“Van was reminding me how much I used to love to dance. He’s very good,” his mom said.
“I can see that.” Shane nodded once.
Van and his mom watched him. Van dropped his other hand away and his mom smoothed down her shirt. They were looking at him as though they didn’t know how he was going to respond. It wasn’t every day he walked into his house and his mom was there. It sure as shit wasn’t every day she was laughing with a man Shane was sleeping with.
There was a part of him that wanted to keep Van private. His mom spending time with Van made it more real. She would push him about Van and yes, he knew it was all because she wanted him happy but the truth was, he and Van couldn’t be anything more than what they were right then.
He could never leave, and Van would never want to stay.
But Christ, his mom was there. In his house and she was laughing and dancing and…happy. Her eyes glowed from it. It was like air to his lungs. Like for a little while, he could breathe easily. “Did you save me a dance, Ma?” he asked and her smile grew.
“Always.” She walked over and gave Shane a hug. He squeezed her tight, wondering how in the fuck it even happened in the first place. “I like him,” she whispered softly in Shane’s ear.
Yeah, he liked Van too.
“What about me? Do you want a dance with me too?” Van teased when Shane and his mom separated.
“Nah, I’m good.” Shane winked and Van rolled his eyes, but then caught his stare as though he was trying to tell Shane something. I’m sorry, maybe. Or I didn’t know what to do.
“Van and I are making you dinner—pot roast and potatoes. I’m going to check on it.” She squeezed his hand once and then headed toward the kitchen. Van passed her on his way to Shane.
Shane leaned against the back of the couch. She couldn’t see them from where she must be at the stove.
“I wasn’t sure if I should call you,” Van whispered softly. “I was ready if I needed to. She—”
“Shh.” Shane shook his head. “Don’t apologize for this. Don’t ever feel like you have to apologize for this.”
Van grinned and Christ, Shane wanted to kiss him. Wanted to thank Van with his mouth on every inch of Van’s body. He wanted to hold onto him and not let go.
“I—”
“Dinner is done,” his mom shouted, cutting off whatever Shane had been going to say. He wasn’t even sure what words were going to come out of his mouth.
“Time to eat,” Van told him. He squeezed Shane’s side and then walked over and turned the music off.