“I wish you didn’t have to see those kinds of things.” Orsen kissed Santino. “I’m here if you want to talk about it.”
“You’ve lived through some dark times, Orsen. Why would I want to add to that?”
“Because I’m yours.” Orsen stood and got out of the bath. “And so is my stomach.” He pointed to it. “My empty stomach.”
Chuckling, Santino stood, and Orsen stared as the water slid down Santino’s amazing body. All golden skin and hard linesand firm muscles, and he licked his lips. “See something you like?”
“Yes.” Orsen nodded. “Later though. Food first.” Picking up a towel, he handed it to Santino, then picked up one for himself. “I had a math test in class this week.”
“Why didn’t you tell me when I called?”
“I didn’t want to tell you in case I failed. You’ve been helping me so much and I wanted to do this. I’m eighteen now and I need to do more for myself.” Orsen shrugged and stared at the wall, trying to figure out how to say what he wanted to. “I know some people think I’m young and, in a way, I am. You know I don’t know much about the world, and when you talk about work, it makes me glad I don’t. When I hear you and TJ discuss cases, I know what you do isn’t for me. I want to do more for myself. I can hunt and prepare animals. I can fix things up when they’re broken. I can treat wounds.” Orsen rubbed his hair with his towel and looked over at Santino. “Other things I need to rely on people for and I want to do more of that on my own. I wanted to pass the test so I could show you that I can do more.” Shaking his head, Orsen murmured, “I’m not saying it right.”
“I understand what you’re trying to tell me. You want more responsibility in areas of your life where you’ve had to rely on others for. For example, schooling and finances. You know far too much about areas of life you shouldn’t and not enough about areas you should.”
“Yes.” Orsen put his used towel in the hamper and waited for Santino to finish drying. “I got a B on my test.”
“You did? That’s great!”
“It wasn’t the same test as everyone else, but the teacher told me I was catching up, so I don’t mind. It is what it is. I’ll get there. I know I’ll probably have to do another year in high school, but I’m okay with that.”
“At least you’re getting an education, making friends, and catching up.” Santino kissed him. “I’m proud of you. You’re not letting the past stop you from achieving what you want, and you’re capable of far more than you know.”
Orsen returned Santino’s kiss, then dressed and waited for Santino. When they left the bedroom, Orsen went to the front door and picked up his bag. “I have food.”
“You do?” Santino’s eyebrows shot up. “In that bag? What?”
Orsen walked past Santino and into the kitchen, placing the bag on the table. He grabbed the boxes and smiled. “Pasta Bolognese. I made it in school today and kept it warm for tonight. I knew you’d have nothing here because you clear the fridge before you go, so I made sure to cook plenty for us.” Orsen grinned. “Even Crompton liked it.”
“Well, if he liked it, I know I’m going to love it.” Kissing Orsen’s head, Santino murmured, “You didn’t have to do this.”
“I know, but if we’re together, then we look after each other, and I want to take care of you.” Orsen peered back into the bag and grabbed another box. “Salad. I was going to make garlic bread too, but I wasn’t sure if it would last.”
“I have some in the freezer. I’ll pop it in the oven with the pasta and we can have them together.”
“That sounds good.”
Santino grinned and wriggled his eyebrows. “I may have a beer with it.”
Glaring, Orsen muttered, “You enjoy your beer. I’m never drinking again, even when I’m legal.”
Laughing, Santino pulled Orsen close and Orsen pouted. “You will when you hit twenty-one.”
“Nope! I’ll have a party with all our friends and eat cake instead. I wanted to try it, and I did and that’s it. I’ve seen what booze can do to someone. Lived through it. I wasn’t even goingto try any, but I’ve never been on a sleepover before, so I thought I’d do it. Never again. I don’t need to drink to have a good time.”
“Wise words,” Santino murmured, then kissed him. “If you don’t want to drink, then don’t. I don’t have to have a beer—”
“Yes, you can. Not drinking is my decision, not yours. If you want one, then have one.” Orsen wasn’t going to have his decisions influence Santino. He knew Santino liked a beer, and after the long, stressful week he’d had, and the drive home, he deserved one. “Have your beer while the food heats up and you can tell me all about your week in the city.”
“Not much to tell.” Santino grabbed a beer. “I was in court for two days but wasn’t called to testify. The defendant made a plea deal, then I visited my mamma, who scolded me for not going enough. She doesn’t like the fact I live here now.”
“When will she forgive you?”
“When I give her enough kids. She gave me leaflets for adoption agencies. Again.”
Orsen bit his lip and smiled. “Wow. She really wants some grandkids.”
“She has three already. She can wait a few more years before I need to give her any.”
