AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Across the US, over 700,000 youth between the ages of thirteen and eighteen are homeless, and unaccompanied by a parent. Most are living alone on the streets because of addiction, mental illness, or abuse. That’s the unacceptable reality.”
I can feel everyone in the room riveted now to Mick. To the deep baritone of his voice and his passion for the topic. He speaks at length about Cayo, the man he reveres; about the positive influence he had in his life. About being taught the importance of gratitude and paying it forward. Although Mick doesn’t share the more intimate reasons for why he picked a cause that supports many abused children, it’s because he believes that but for the grace of Mama and Papa T, he might have been a statistic.
I couldn’t be prouder of the way he carries himself and honors the man that was a father to us both.
“Do you see yourself returning to the public eye?” Bianca asks in closing. “I know there’s plenty of interest.”
“That’s all behind me.” Mick’s hand flexes in mine. “I’m happy with where I’m at. Expanding Papa’s Kids and focusing on my future with Dee.”
After Bianca winds down the interview, we’re met with a round of applause and praise. Bianca thanks us for letting her have the exclusive on our marriage. We pose for a few photos. Lexie tells me I was stellar and Asher is ecstatic.
“You both killed it!”
“Don’t get any ideas about making this a regular thing,” Mick comments wryly.
“Am I that transparent?” Asher laughs.
“Like tracing paper.”
Although said with a tinge of good humor, I wonder how Mick is feeling. I’m all too aware that I’ve pushed him beyond his comfort zone. I’d been the one to urge him to confess his painful story of abuse and blackmail to his family, to confront Malcolm, to go public. I’d done it all out of love but had I pushed him too far, too fast?
That’s still weighing on my mind when the crew has packed up and everyone is gone, except Asher. I say good-bye to him, and leave Mick and his PR manager to talk press and social media strategy.
I change into one of Mick’s T-shirts. It’s barely noon. But getting up at the crack of dawn to prepare for filming, had made for a long, exhausting morning. I pull my hair up into a top knot to wash the makeup off my face.
I’m in the bathroom when Mick joins me. He pauses on the doorjamb. His eyes study my sudsy reflection but his gaze gives little clue as to his thoughts.
“Everything good with Asher?” I ask.
“He couldn’t be happier that our marriage will soon go viral.”
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?” Mick frowns.
“The purpose of the interview was your award and Papa’s Kids. I didn’t want that to be overshadowed.”
“I don’t see it that way.” His gaze sharpens, narrowing to laser focus. “Are you having second thoughts?”
“No.” I look over to him. “Some nerves, yes. But no doubts. It’s odd for me to feel this okay when I have no idea what the reaction will be.”
“Fuck what anyone else thinks. I’m really proud of you. That took guts.”
I shoot him a look of surprise. “I wasn’t sure how you felt about it.”
“What you feel is more important.”
“It felt right for me,” I say, returning to the mirror to rinse my face with a soft, damp cloth. “But I realize we didn’t discuss me sharing all that.”
He leans against the door. “I admit that I initially wanted to jump in and save you from answering.”
“You didn’t.”
“No. But it took me a minute to realize this wasn’t Malcolm, O’Malley, or anyone else trying to exploit you for their gain or as some vendetta against me. In this context, I recognized you were in charge. It was your story to tell and I needed to let you tell it.”
My lips curve in appreciation. “That’s a big step.”
“I’ve been slow on the uptake.”
