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“Well, at leastIremembered his birthday.”
“Like I’ve been telling you,” Elliot says desperately, “life has been hectic lately. We’ve had a lot on our minds. That doesn’t change the fact that Rhett, Oliver, and Wren have been here for me through it all. They love me, Mom, and I love them. All three of them. And I’m tired of feeling like I have to prove it to you.”
“You can let me support you too, you know.” She lays a hand on Elliot’s shoulder, not removing it when he tries to shrug her off. “You know you can talk to me whenever you need to. I’m here for you.”
Elliot laughs, although it’s void of humor. “You really aren’t getting it, are you?I love them.You can’t change that.”
“Darling—”
“Get out.”
Kathleen balks. “Get out?”
Elliot shoves her hand off his shoulder. “You thought you could come into my home—ourhome—and disrespect the three people who mean the most to me? You thought I wouldn’t care? Not to mention, you have the fucking nerve to do iton my birthday.That’s what’s ruining today, Mom. Not the fact that they forgot. We’ve been under a lot of pressure lately. So much that evenIforgot about my own birthday.”
“Elliot,” Joe says, “don’t do this. You’ll regret it later. Everyone’s just a touch too angry, but I think if we can all calm down, we can talk this through like mature adults.”
“There’s nothing left to say.” Elliot’s gaze drifts to me, Oliver, and Rhett. “I love them. You know I do—you’ve known for years. My life hasn’t lived up to your expectations, and I get that you’re disappointed. But it’smy life.How old do I have to be before you get that through your heads?”
“Elliot, darling—”
“Just go,” he says, and his voice is so detached that it takes me a second to realize the words came from him.
With a sigh, Joe tugs on Kathleen’s arm, but she doesn’t budge. Tears fill her eyes as she stares at Elliot, waiting for him to look at her.
He doesn’t. He looks at me instead, somehow smiling, before brushing some hair back from my face. As one of his arms loops around my waist, he whispers, “May I kiss you?”
I barely finish nodding before Elliot seals his lips to mine. His free hand cups my jaw tenderly, and it’s not until I hear Kathleen’s annoyed huff that I realize exactly what this kiss means.
It’s a demonstration—a show of where Elliot’s loyalties lie since his parents won’t take his word for it. So when Elliot deepens the kiss, I match his enthusiasm, and my arms come around his neck.
Rhett has barely moved during this whole conversation, but now he places himself between Elliot and his parents. “Either get out, or I’ll take great pleasure in making you leave by whatever means necessary.”
“Elliot,” Kathleen practically whines.
“Enough, Kathleen,” Joe sighs as he pulls her toward the door. “I’m sorry it came to this. And Elliot . . . happy birthday, son.”
Elliot doesn’t even respond. We aren’t kissing anymore, but he hasn’t looked away from me, and I’m trapped in his gaze. I expect to find some level of sadness or regret in his eyes, but all that’s there is unreserved devotion for us. Forme.
Only once Rhett has slammed and locked the door does Elliot break eye contact. Even then, it’s only to close his eyes and rest his forehead against mine. No one speaks. The only sound is Elliot taking deep, controlled breaths until we hear two car doors shut and the engine turn over.
With a wince, Elliot opens his eyes and pulls back. He strokes his thumb over my cheek, and the regret I was expecting finally appears on his face. “I’m sorry I yelled.”
“I think it was pretty well warranted,” Oliver says with a shrug.
“I scared Wren.” His voice is apologetic, and he holds me gently as he kisses my forehead. “Love, I’m sorry. I should’ve kept it together.”
“I’m okay. I get it.”
He shakes his head, but I press a finger to his lips to keep him from apologizing again. If my mom and Thomas had marched in and done something similar, I’m pretty sure I would’ve yelled a whole lot more.
“I’m sorry I never asked when your birthday is,” I whisper.
“I never asked when yours is,” Elliot counters.
“Um, just a reminder,” Oliver says, his voice light with amusement, “we’ve been a little busykeeping each other alive.Birthdays kinda take the back burner in a situation like ours.”
“True,” Elliot mutters while he rubs his face tiredly.
