Total pages in book: 14
Estimated words: 12932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 65(@200wpm)___ 52(@250wpm)___ 43(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 12932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 65(@200wpm)___ 52(@250wpm)___ 43(@300wpm)
“Well, it’s nice to see you two getting along again,” Aria went on mindlessly. She took another bite as I stole a glance at Clay. His eyes were already on me as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on top of his thighs and folding his fingers together.
“Yeah, about that. Mom, listen…”
My heart slammed as I shook my head. “Clay,” I warned.
But he ignored me, and Aria looked between us, mildly confused as she slowly chewed. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” I answered rapidly.
“No, it’s everything,” Clay countered, eyeing me. “You said we would do this, Frank. It’s time to do it.”
“Do what?” asked Aria. Worry was sinking into her eyes now as she continued looking between us.
My leg bounced as I lowered my gaze. I knew I said I was ready, but this was scary as hell. I didn’t even know why. Aria was so nice. It wasn’t like she was going to slap me across the face…I didn’t think.
“So, there’s something Frank and I want to tell you. It might not be easy to hear, and I totally get it if this changes things, but Mom…you should know that I’m in love with Frankie. I—I love her a lot. And for years I’ve been fighting how I felt about her because she was supposed to be like my sister, you know? But she’s never felt like a sister to me, really. And she has never seen me as a brother either.”
Aria’s jaw dropped as she stared at her son. Shock was written all over her face and I smashed my lips together as she lowered her fork and pie to her lap and slowly turned her eyes to me.
“Frankie…is this true?” she asked in a near whisper.
I nodded, and it was then I realized a tear had escaped my eye. “I’m sorry, Aria. I know this is the last thing you want to hear, but…I do love Clay. Just not in the way you want us to love each other. I’ve wanted to be with him since we were younger, but I was so scared because I knew it would change things and that you’d probably kick me out of the house or something and I didn’t want to lose the only family I had so I—”
“Hey, hey, hey,” Aria crooned. “No, Frankie. Stop.”
I was full-on sobbing now. The emotions made my throat thick and my heart race. “I just thought you would hate me,” I whispered. “That’s why I never wanted to tell you.”
“Aw, Frankie. No, sweetie,” Aria cried. “I could never hate you! You’ve brought so much joy into my life, are you kidding me? Oh, honey, come here!”
I picked my head up and climbed onto the bed to lay next to her. She lifted her IV-free hand and pressed it to the side of my head so my ear was on the center of her chest, and I was comforted instantly. This was something she used to do when I was younger too—back when I was only six or seven and I’d have panic attacks, wondering where my mom was, then remembering I’d never see her again. Aria would soothe me by holding me and rubbing my back, just like she was doing now.
I shuddered a breath and swiped some of the tears away with my hand.
“I can’t believe you’ve spent all these years afraid to tell me because you thought I’d abandon you,” she murmured.
I nod, just as Clay locked eyes on me and said, “I told you,” with a laugh. “This won’t change anything, right, Mom?” he asked.
“Nothing at all. You’re both adults now, and if this is how you feel, who am I to stop it? Even if I didn’t like the idea of it—and I’m not saying I don’t—it’s not up to me to decide who you belong with. If your heart belongs to her, let it belong. Oh, I always hoped it would work out between you two?”
“Told you.” Clay smiled, his cheeks turning a bit rosy as Aria lifted a hand to caress his cheek.
“You’ll always be my babies, though. No matter what,” she said. And I found comfort in those words. I felt like I’d unleashed a huge load from my shoulders. I lay in Aria’s arms as Clay took my hand and stroked my knuckles and I’d never felt so at peace. So safe. Being with them was exactly where I belonged and no matter if Clay and I stuck together or not, they would always be my people.
epilogue
ONE MONTH LATER
I took the internship in California, despite how much I hated the idea of being away from Clay now. What? It was a great opportunity and even Clay couldn’t deny it. And it wasn’t like I was going to be in California forever. If I were to get a full-time job, we’d make it work, I was sure of it, and if I didn’t, then I’d fly back to Atlanta and get a job using my degree.