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“Yeah, I went through the same thing. Difference being I thought you might have killed my uncle. You had a lot more going against you.” I laugh, happy we are at the point in our relationship when we don’t hold anything back.
“Now.” He grabs my shirt, yanking me to him. “The only thing I want against me is you.” His mouth presses to mine for a lengthy toe-curling kiss.
His lips pull away, slow and hesitant. “You.” His tone softens. He palms my face, stroking my cheek with his thumb. “Thank you for being here for me today.”
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else,” I say, gazing up into his affectionate blue eyes.
He pushes a hand through his hair with a long sigh. “I can’t fuck up today.” He stalks over to the fridge and grabs a bottled water.
“You won’t.” I follow him into the kitchen.
He’s anxious about today. I’m glad I’m here for him. I hope it all works out. Last night, I sorted Rudy’s words out in my head. His hero’s journey theory.
The departure was when Lix was taken from his family. Initiation was when he was in the system and on the streets. And the return was when Lix was reunited with his brothers. But perhaps, he doesn’t feel completely returned. Maybe that’s why he created Raga to replace what he was missing.
Could that be why he was upset about the baby? He’s not at peace. He’s missing one thing for his return to be complete.
His mother.
He rests against the counter. “Here you are, helping me get through all this shit, and I know nothing about your mom. You never talk about her.”
“What do you want to know?” I grab the water from him and take a sip. He’s diverting. Sarcasm and diversion. It’s his recipe when things feel out of his control.
“Do you have a good relationship with her?”
“Sure.” I shrug, handing him the water back. “She worked a lot, but she took care of me.”
“Do you need her?”
“Need her?” I tilt my head. Pain pierces my heart. He needed his mom, and she wasn’t there for him. She couldn’t be. “My mom and I are not very close. Ya know, like some people are with their parents. I needed my uncle, and he was taken from me. But my mother, I wouldn’t know what life would be like without her. Shortly after losing my uncle, I went to college, and she met a guy. He was from Tennessee. They got married and moved there. I carried on with my life, finished college, and started my career. “
“Do you see her?”
“Sure. I visit her a couple of times a year. In fact, I’m going to see her next month.”
He leans against the counter and crosses his arms over his chest. “You never mentioned that.”
“It’s no big deal.” I shrug.
“I’d like to go with you.”
“You would?” I’m surprised. I guess if we’re going to keep doing this, he’ll have to meet her. I never thought about it.
“Yeah. You know my family, and, hey, you get to meet my mom today. I know it’s not under the greatest circumstances, but I want to meet your family.”
“Well, you can forget about my dad. I definitely don’t need him.”
“That’s understandable. Besides, he doesn’t deserve you.”
“No. He doesn’t. But you.” I move over to him and rest my arms on his shoulders. My fingers caress his hair. “I need you.”
“I like that, considering I’ll be leaning on you to get through today. I need you as well.”
“Great.” My voice cracks. “Now that we have that settled.” I lean back. “Let’s get this tie settled.” I pick up the ends and start to loop them.
“Chosen,” he says, again in that low and raspy tone. “For the record—”
“Oh-ho!” I drop the tie and lift both hands. “Hold up!” I take a step back. “Let me get a pen and paper.” I glance around the room, coming back to his awaiting eyes. “Felix Daxon is about to go on record.”
