Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
“Really?” His little face lights up with hope. “Can I have them now?”
“You can,” I confirm. “I’ll go pull them out of my secret hiding place, and you can play video games if you want.”
“I so want. Thanks, Mom.”
I wink at him, then fist bump Max as I pass by him on my way to the master. Alex isn’t allowed in my bedroom when I’m not with him, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t hide the things I take away, just in case.
I have a chest in my closet that I bury under folded sweaters. I move the clothes and open the chest, then pull out Alex’s gaming system, games, and his iPad, and replace the sweaters before walking back out to the living room.
Max is on the couch with Alex now, under the blanket, watching the end of Harry Potter. I hook up the system and pass the iPad to Alex, but rather than starting it up, he sets it aside to finish his movie.
Maybe taking the extra electronics away for a few days wasn’t a bad thing. We may do unplugged days once a week for a while. I want my kid to enjoy playing outside and working with his hands.
I sit in the loveseat across from my men and watch as Max wraps his arm around Alex’s shoulders, pulling him into his side. He kisses Alex’s head, and Alex rests his arm over Max’s middle, settling into him.
I blink at tears that threaten and look over at the TV, but my mind is still on the two people across from me. I love them both more than anything in the world. I love that Alex has taken to Max so well. He trusts him, admires him, and there’s no one more deserving of that trust and praise than Max.
I wish that Alex had had the opportunity to have this same relationship with Cary, but that wasn’t to be. We’re here now, with a man who loves us both and wants to protect and care for us.
I wasn’t sure that I’d ever see that day. Certainly not with Max because of our past and because I’d moved on from him.
It’s new to depend on someone as a partner, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t resistant to it at first. Like I told Max the other day, I have to protect myself.
I just had no idea how good it would feel to have someone here with me, to help me, to say “I’ve got this for now, go take care of you.”
It’s the best feeling I’ve ever had. Better than falling in love. Better than sex.
It’s security I’ve never had before, and I don’t want to ever let it go.
“That was a good movie,” Max says when the credits roll. “I can’t believe I hadn’t seen it before.”
“You hadn’t?” Alex asks with wide eyes. “How is that possible?”
“I don’t know. Are the others this good?”
“Oh my gosh, they’re the best. Let’s have a marathon. We have them all, right, Mom?”
“We do, but I thought you wanted to play your games?”
Alex shrugs. “I can play tomorrow, I guess, after the movies are over.”
I share a surprised look with Max. “That’s true.”
“So, can we?”
“I don’t see why not. But first, we need to have a talk.”
I turn the TV off and sit again, my elbows on my knees.
“Oh, man,” Alex says. “Nothing good ever comes from that.”
Max laughs. “That’s exactly what your mom would say.”
Alex grins. “I know.”
“What do you want to talk about, Wills?” Max asks, his eyes smiling at me.
“Skiing.”
“Well, that’s my cue to go,” Max says as he stands, but I put my hand out, stopping him.
“No, I really want you to stay. We’re in this together, remember?”
“I’ve been in trouble for that already.”
“You’re not in trouble now,” I reply with a laugh. “No one is in trouble.”
“Okay, then,” Max says as he takes his place on the couch again. “Go on.”
“I want to talk about the lessons you’ve been asking for,” I say, addressing Alex directly, and see the hope fill his brown eyes.
“Really?” he asks.
“We’re just talking about it right now,” I clarify. “I need you to be patient with me, Bubba, because this is something that truly scares the hell out of me.”
“It’s just that it’s so fun,” Alex says as he walks over to me and sits next to me. “And I’ll always be really careful.”
“I know.” I kiss his cheek and then his forehead. “Did you have fun with Max?”
“It was the best day of my whole life,” he says so earnestly that it tugs at my heart.
I look over to find Max watching us, his face solemn.
“What do you think?” I ask him.
He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “I understand why it scares you. It can be a dangerous sport, but if he’s taught by the right people, and always follows the rules and wears his gear, he’ll be safe.”