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Billy sniffled and then shook his head slightly. “I should have known he would come here eventually. It shouldn’t surprise me that he wanted money.”
“He’s a piece of shit who doesn’t deserve you. I wish he was a better man, but I don’t want you to let anything he said get to you. You know he’s the one with the problems, right? Not you.”
Billy was quiet for a moment before he sighed. “I know it. I mean, intellectually I do. But it still hurts to hear.”
“I know it does, baby.” I squeezed him even tighter and kissed the back of his neck. But you have me and Jason and Jesse. Even Tony and Harris would do anything for you. We can be your family now.”
Billy let go of Kona and wrapped both of his hands around my forearm, pulling it tightly against his chest. “You have no idea how much I want that.”
You have no idea how much I want you. That’s what I wanted to say. But it wasn’t the right time. Not after what he had just experienced. “Me too, sweetheart. Let’s have lunch, and I’ll get things finished up for the day upstairs so we can head back to my place.”
“Okay.” Billy pulled my closed palm up to his mouth and kissed it.
It was one of the first times he had initiated any kind of affection, and a mountain of hope blossomed inside of me. We were going to make this work.
* * *
“So, this is it.” I gestured for Billy to walk inside my front door, and then I closed it behind us. “It’s not fancy, but I’ve been slowly fixing it up.”
He kicked off his shoes and then ran his hand over the top of the leather sofa in my family room as he looked around. “It’s really nice, Axel. Very…you.”
I chuckled. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
Billy smiled and tucked his chin bashfully. “A good thing. Like, it’s warm. And cozy. Like a real home.” He looked over at me, and if I’d ever seen a loving gaze, that was it. “It’s just like you.”
With his backpack over my shoulder, I toed off my boots before pulling him into a hug and holding him tightly. “I’m glad you feel that way, baby. Let me give you the tour.”
I showed him the kitchen and the hall bathroom that was next to the spare room. I had a daybed in there with a desk and my video game console, but I rarely used that space for anything. “This is my spare room, if you’d like to stay in here. Or, you can sleep with me. I mean, in my bed.”
Billy’s eyes were wide, and he swallowed hard without breaking his gaze. “Um, I’d like to stay with you.”
“Great. Then we’ll put your stuff in there.” I showed him to my room and placed his bag at the foot of the bed.
It was only five in the afternoon, but we’d both had quite a week. “I was thinking we could have something delivered for dinner and maybe just watch movies tonight.”
“Yeah, that sounds good. I kinda miss having a TV around.”
“Shit, I’m sorry. I should’ve thought to install one in your room.” I felt like an ass for not remembering a basic convenience. We had TV outlets planned for the bedroom and the living space up in the apartment, but I completely forgot about his interim room. “We can pick one up tomorrow and get you hooked up so at least you can stream.”
“It’s fine. I have my laptop for most of the stuff I watch.” He smiled and didn’t look away when his cheeks turned pink. “And since I’ve mostly been watching stuff that isn’t on TV, the laptop is fine.”
“Is that so?” I was curious to know what made his face glow so beautifully. “What have you been watching?”
Billy bit his lip. “Well, I guess it’s mostly research about…ya know.”
“No, I don’t know.” I led him to the side of the bed and we both sat down. “What kind of research?”
“About having a Daddy. I mean, just in case you still want to…you know.”
I was going to have to work with him about speaking all the words he had on his mind, but in this case, I did know. “Of course I still want to. That’s why you’re here. That’s why I spend every spare moment with you. I love being around you, and I’m excited to take things to the next level…when you’re ready.”
“The next level?” Billy looked at me then spread his hand over the comforter. “Like…in here?”
“In here.” I cupped the side of his face and brushed my thumb over his cheek. “When you’re ready.”
Billy’s eyes rolled up, and he threw his head back, facing the ceiling. “But I am ready!”
Whining was new… I was surprised at how adorable it sounded from him. “Are you sure? You’ve had a rough day today.”
