For once, it isn’t true. Frank is more important to me than my work, and I want him to feel that every single day.
“It’s not that far. I could’ve walked. It’s not rainy or anything.” No, but it’s cold out there, and dressing to drive somewhere and dressing for a long walk are two completely different things.
“Can you look at me, please?” It takes several seconds before he pulls away from my chest and tilts his head up. When his eyes meet mine, I lean in and kiss him softly. “You, my Firecracker, are the most important thing. Not work. Not social outings. If you need me, Iwillbe there. But for this relationship to work, I need to be your first call. If something’s wrong, no matter how big or how small, I’m your first call. The only exception is if you need to call nine-one-one. Then you call themfirst and me second. That’s a rule.”
“Okay.” A long silence hangs between us, his shoulders still tense. “Am I in trouble?”
“No, Firecracker. I’m sad you didn’t call me, but now we have an agreement. If you don’t call me next time, then I’ll have to come up with a suitable punishment.” Frank’s eyes get comically large at the mention of punishment.
“Hopefully, there won’t be a next time.”
“There’s always a next time.” Though I hope he’ll remember and call me. “These things happen. It’s an unfortunate part of life. Cars have issues. Plans get messed up.” Deep down, he believes that if he works hard enough, there won’t be issues like this. Sure, he can work to not leave the light on in his car, but eventually, it’ll be something else.
“I have to drop out of school.” The statement comes out as a sob. Before I can say anything, he’s crying against me, his whole body shaking.
“Firecracker, what happened?” This night has taken several strange turns. I let him cry for a few minutes, rubbing small circles against his lower back. When his breathing evens out, I ask, “Did you not do well on your exams?”
“No. I mean, I don’t know yet.” He turns toward me, not meeting my eyes. “I—I’m moving out of my parents’ house, but that means spending a lot more money on rent. I can’t do that and make tuition payments this next term.”
I bit my tongue before I start problem-solving. I’m tempted to fix the whole thing, tell him to move in with me, and I’ll pay his tuition. Then he can focus on work and school and not worry about any of this.
I know Frank, though. He’ll never agree to all that. Plus, as much as I want him here every night, it’s probably too early to move him in. Even though he’s here most of the time.
“Firecracker, what if you let me handle your tuition?” It’s a compromise. I can take one thing off his plate and let him work on the rest.
“I can’t do that.” He sniffles. “What if we break up? Or I fail a class? Or—” I put a finger up to his lips.
“It’s a gift. I have the money, and it’s something I want to do for you. I’d pay for this spring semester all at once. Even if something happens between us, your school would be covered until the fall.” I’m not answering the question about if he fails on purpose. I think the likelihood is very small. Even if he did, I wouldn’t care. I’ve seen up close how hard he works.
“I—” Frank stutters.
“Don’t say no. At least not right away. Think about it, but know that I’m serious. I wouldn’t offer otherwise. This is one of the things I can do to take care of you. As your Daddy.” I kiss him gently, not wanting to push anything at this moment. “Let’s get to bed.” He hesitates for a second. “Both of us.” There’s no way I’m letting him out of my sight tonight. Not solely for his sake. Right now, I need to have him close to me, knowing he’s safe and warm. Aaron’s first text message tore my heart apart, thinking that my boy might be hurt or in danger. Cardinal Falls is relatively small, but that doesn’t mean bad things don’t happen.
It only takes us a few minutes to get ready and in bed. We’re both too exhausted for anything else. Tucked in, I pull him up close to me, making sure I’m touching as much of his skin as possible. It takes a few seconds before Frank relaxes, but when he does, I can feel all the anxiety and tension leave his body. That’s what I want to give him every day, the ability to relax and know he’ll be taken care of. That I’ll take care of him.
“I think Aaron knows you’re my Daddy,” Frank mumbles as my eyes close.
“Shhhh…” I say. “Sleep now.” He does, but I’m wide awake after hearing the wordsmy Daddycome out of my boy’s mouth.
Chapter Twenty-One
FRANK
It’s Christmas.Typically, that means sleeping in, spending the whole day in my pajamas, and maybe drinking a few beers.
Or more than a few beers. That part depends on how the rest of the day goes.
Nothing about that is bad. In fact, a morning of sleeping in sounds perfect. Especially when Matthias’s alarm goes off at the ass crack of dawn.
Fine, it’s seven. Basically the same thing.
I slept here last night to make today easier. Today… the day I meet his parents. So much for picking a low-key occasion with no pressure for me to finally meet them.
“Frank, you with me?” Matthias asks.
“Mostly.” It’s not worth lying.
“Tell me what you’re worried about.” Matthias puts his mug down on the coffee table and pulls me into his lap. It feels so good being here, my head nuzzled into his chest. I breathe in his scent. We haven’t showered yet, so thefaintest hint of his cologne from yesterday lingers. The rest of the intoxicating scent is all Matthias.
