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“You like football?”
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I?” I ask, but I understand the stereotype. I’m both artsy and gay. It comes out as a tease, and Liam flips me off. He understands I’m a shit stirrer. “I didn’t know you were better than your brother, baby,” I whisper loudly as I stare at Liam.
“Oh, he has your number, William,” his Dad returns. “And I love that you don’t put up with his shit, Ash. Liam is our resident smartass.”
Carl is so personable, just like both his kids.
After two beers, I excuse myself to go to the bathroom. When I exit the restroom, Evelyn is waiting for me in the hallway. And I can’t lie, it’s a hella creepy.
“Could I have five minutes of your time?” She points to the door. It’s a warm night, in the middle of June in Seattle.
“Sure,” but I’d rather be anywhere else.
There’s a bench next to the entrance to the restaurant. She sits down, and I follow suit.
“You make my Noah happy.” Her tone has changed. She’s matter of fact and almost cold.
“He makes me very happy, too.”
She lets out a small sigh. “I see that. But, you’ve only dated what? Three months?”
“Hmm, it’s almost four months,” I reply.
“I like you, Ash. You seem like a fine man, but I know Noah, and being with another artist isn’t healthy for either of you. I’ve always imagined him with a man who is more structured, keeping him balanced. And by what I hear, you and Noah have the same weird hours. He’s established. You’re not, and now you two are talking of moving in together. I know what my son makes, and what he’s worth.”
“He’s worth everything, Mrs. James, and it has nothing to do with money.” I won’t call her Evelyn, not when she’s trying to come between us.
“My parents left him a lot of money, and Carl’s parents are older, and they’ll leave him even more. So, it’s a little convenient, your moving in so quick with my son, when he can give you the world and you can’t return it.”
“Is this purely about money? Because I’ve not taken a dime from him. And he’s the one that has asked me to move in. I won’t sponge off of him. If you think I’m a good guy, then believe that I’m not out to take anything but his love. And if you don’t know your son well enough to trust him, then shame on you.”
I step away from Mrs. James, taking my phone, telling Noah I’m not feeling well, and I’ll meet him by the car. He won’t believe me, after the length of time we’ve been gone. But I can’t go back into the restaurant and act as if Mrs. James isn’t a horrible person and hell bent on breaking her son’s heart.
27
Noah
He’s quiet.His hand hasn’t left mine. Something happened between him and my mom, earlier.
“Wanna talk about it?” I ask, bringing his hand to my lips, feathering each knuckle with kisses as he does to me often.
“What do you mean?”
We’re not far from my loft, and stay quiet until we’re in the garage.
Placing the car in park, I twist my body to his. “Ashton, you’re a talented artist but a lousy actor, baby. My mom said something to you. It has you rattled. So, tell me, what was it?”
“She doesn’t like me. It’s that simple. I’d guessed it, the day I met her, but now, it’s obvious. I’m not good enough for you, and maybe I’m not, but I’m also not going anywhere.”
He’s hurt. His voice is heavy with pain. My arm moves to the back of his neck, pulling his line of sight to me. “You listen and listen good, Ashton Brooks. You’re more than good enough for me. My life has meaning with you in it. I don’t care what my mother thinks. I love you. It’s me. I’ll never be good enough for you. But that’s love. We see the best in each other, though we can’t see it in ourselves.”
Something changes in him, with what I’ve just shared. His posture shifts, and he sits tall, confident.
“By the way, I have an answer for you, about the question you’ve asked me for a while.”
“You do?” I ask.
“I want nothing more than to move in with you. I realized tonight that I belong with you all the time. I have to work out logistics with Greg and Dave first. And I’m not freeloading. Do you understand me?”
