Page 185 of Contentious

Carson sat on the closed toilet and held out his arms to Ty, who stepped into his embrace like he’d been doing it all his life. “You know what the good news is?”

“There’s good news?”

“Oh yeah. There’s always good news if you look for it.”

“What is it?”

The tears on his little face wrecked Carson as he brushed them away. “You have me now, and I have you, and any time you need anything, you can come to me forever and ever.”

“Does that mean you’re my dad now?”

“Only if you want me to be, and if you do, I’d be so honored to be your dad.”

“Could I think about that?”

“As long as you want, but no matter what you decide, we’ll always be best friends, okay?”

Ty nodded.

“I’m sorry those things happened with your dad⁠—”

“He’s not my dad. He was never my dad.”

“I’m sorry Marlon did those things, but it’s got nothing to do with you. I want you to hear me when I tell you that. It’s not your fault. Do you hear me?”

“Y-yes.”

“Give me a hug, but not too tight,” Carson said.

Ty offered a wan smile before he hugged Carson.

“I love you. Your mom loves you. Everyone who knows you loves you. This has been a tough couple of weeks, but we’ll get through it and have lots of fun and learn to surf and play hockey and lots of other things. Everything will be all right. I promise, and I never make promises I can’t keep.”

“I want to go home.”

“We’ll do that tomorrow.”

“Really?”

“Really. Do you feel better?”

He was leaning against Carson as if all the fight had gone out of him. “I’m really tired.”

“Let’s get you tucked in, then.”

“Can I sleep with you guys again?”

“You bet, buddy.”

“Thank you for being my friend.”

“Aw, Ty, thank you for being mine.”

Cresley moved quickly to help Ty change into pajamas and carried him upstairs while Carson cursed the healing wounds that made it impossible for him to do that for her.

“I’m sorry if I was mean, Mommy.”

“You weren’t. You were upset, and that’s totally fine. I’m glad you told us what was hurting you.”