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Declan was agreeable to everything. Damn, I was lucky to have him in my life. I was lucky to have them all in my life.
Especially Marcus.
* * *
“Fuck Archer,” Mom said, which didn’t surprise me in the least. “He doesn’t know what he’s missing, passing up on my son. I never liked him.”
Yeah, well, apparently, he didn’t like me much either. “I guess it wasn’t meant to be. I just hate that it wasn’t on my terms.” I waved my hand. “I don’t want to talk about that, though. After I told Marcus last night, I was going to make us something to eat, and he mentioned culinary school. You know how much I love to feed people, and it just… I can’t explain it. Everything clicked into place, and I realized this was it. This is what I’m supposed to do.” The thought of making a career out of cooking for people fit into my life the same way Marcus had, like there had always been a place cut out just for him, only I didn’t know it until he filled it.
“I think that’s a damn good idea. You’ve always loved feeding people. It’s perfect, actually.”
“Yeah, I think so too. I don’t know how much it’ll be, but I’m hoping I can make it work. Marcus said I can stay with him. He even offered to help, but I don’t want him to have to do that.”
She looked at me in that way moms did that told me she thought I was being an idiot.
“What?” I asked.
“Don’t be stubborn, Kai. I’m not saying don’t work hard and handle your business. I respect the hell out of you for wanting to be your own man. But don’t bite off your nose to spite your face either. Don’t be so full of pride that all you do is end up hurting yourself and those you love.”
“I’m not doing that.”
“Part of lovin’ folks is being there when they need you. Part of that is also being willing to let them in and to lean on each other when you need it. Do you think there haven’t been times in our lives when I gave more than Dad in some ways or he gave more than me? There are things he can do for me that I could never do for him, but he comes to me for certain things too. That’s what a relationship is. You and Marcus just need to find your balance.”
“I’m in love with him,” I admitted.
“I knew that the second I saw you with him. That man loves you too.”
He’d never told me, but I wanted that, so fucking much. “Declan said he was considering moving to Atlanta with me. I had no idea.”
“Sounds like the two of you need to talk.”
“Yeah, well, that’s too easy,” I joked, but then, “Do you really think someone like him could love someone like me?”
Mama reached over and grabbed my hand. “What do you mean, someone like you? Someone kind, smart, funny, handsome, and who likes to protect and take care of those he loves? Yeah, I think he could love someone like that. Being an adult means getting your hands messy sometimes, and that’s what you need to do. Talk to him. Tell him how you feel. Make decisions together. If you’re old enough to love someone, you’re old enough to act like it. If that man was willing to leave everything behind for you, what are you willing to do for him? At least be willing to tell him how you feel. And the rest, you sit down and figure out together.”
She was right. Moms usually were. I damn sure knew I wanted Marcus, and I would do whatever I could to have him.
“We should look into some schools,” Mom said, and I agreed. Marcus was supposed to have dinner with his folks later, so I had hours to kill before he got home. “In the Santa Monica area. I love you and you’re always welcome home, but you belong with Marcus.”
I wanted to belong with him. I wanted to be with him.
We sat at the computer together and looked things up. I made a few appointments with admissions offices to get more information, made a list of costs, wrote down pros and cons of each place.
“I should probably head out.” I stood and stretched. Dad was home now. He hadn’t hidden his excitement over this new turn of events. He joked about Marcus and me inviting them over to our place for some food. I liked the sound of that—our place. I wanted to share everything I could with Marcus.
I smiled when my cell rang, assuming it was him. If his parents fucked up tonight and bailed on him, I would lose my shit. Marcus deserved so much better. He deserved to be wanted. He knew how much I needed him, right?
