He was a lot more patient than his boy. Our boy.
“We’re done thinkin’,” he murmured. “You belong with us, Anthony. I’m not sure there was ever an alternative. And we flew out because we’re hoping we can figure things out—together. Not apart. Not with us in Nashville and you here.”
My throat closed up, and he must’ve noticed I’d become too overwhelmed, because then he was right there, hugging me to him, and I screwed my eyes shut.
Deep breaths. Deep, unsteady breaths. There was something I had to get out.
“I’ve spent every waking hour since I left Nashville trying to make my work more flexible.” I had to clear my throat. “I can’t leave New York altogether, but I’m gonna free up some time.”
“We wouldn’t ask you to leave, sweetheart.” He inched away and palmed my cheek, and he brushed his thumb under my eye. “Flexible is nice—but we happen to like New York too. I hope we can find a way to split our time in both places.”
That would be the dream. “I’ve worked things out with Nicky a little already. He told me to cut my summer classes—leave them for other instructors. And just a few hours ago, Gideon… Actually—” I exhaled a breathy laugh, getting ahead of myself. “We’ll work it out. We can talk about this whenever.”
“We have time,” August agreed with a warm smile. “It’s so good to see you.”
“You too.” I kissed him chastely, then peered down at Camden, who was sort of trapped between us. He wore a happy but sleepy smile, and it made me think of my wandering thoughts from earlier. Now it might actually become my reality. We could turn the second bedroom into another Star Wars and Marvel haven for him.
We were done counting down till Monday.
Like August said, we had time.
Epilogue
A few hours later
I was gonna be dead on my feet tomorrow. I just couldn’t find it in me to care.
At four AM, Camden was asleep in my bed, wearing a pair of Deadpool pajama bottoms and one of my T-shirts, and I was showing August my rooftop terrace.
“We could make cooking tutorials up here in the summer.” He eyed the plants I’d killed.
I didn’t have much space up here. In fact, it was tiny. There was just enough room for a small seating area and a grill. I’d tried but failed miserably at keeping avocado, tomatoes, herbs, and lemon alive. I thought I’d been smart; I’d made my own concrete flower beds, solid and heavy, thinking they could stand on the brick edge where they’d get more sunlight, but maybe it was too windy there.
“This would make a beautiful little garden,” August murmured to himself.
“Consider it yours,” I replied. “I always wanted a bunch of plants up here, but I might be better at cooking than gardening.” I continued, telling him about the concrete pots and installing the heater above the creaking wicker sofa I’d found at a yard sale. I guessed my vision was bigger than my abilities.
“You’re a handyman,” he noted. “Nicky told me you’re always runnin’ around fixing things. If something breaks at the Initiative, you try to repair it yourself first. Apparently, you’re often fixin’ your father’s radiator and the sink at your grandmother’s place.”
I chuckled. “Exactly how much did my brother tell you about me?”
He grinned faintly and pulled me close. “He’s been keepin’ tabs for me. He told me you had a damn Twizzler for lunch.”
For fuck’s sake.
“That’s not what we agreed upon, darlin’,” he whispered, his lips ghosting so close to mine.
I wet my bottom lip and waited for him to kiss me. “I guess it’s good you’re here. You can keep me in line.”
“You can count on it.”
I shuddered with want and finally felt his lips claim mine in a slow, deep, hungry kiss. I locked my arms around his neck and pressed myself closer, and I angled my head to go deeper. To taste him properly.
“I don’t wanna be apart from you,” I admitted. “It hurt.”
“We’ll find a way. I promise.” He rested his forehead against mine and just held me. “I foresee an everyday life right here, with weekend getaways and holiday breaks at the ranch.”
“I want more time than that in Nashville.” I brushed my fingers across his silver scruff, then back into his hair. “We’re gonna make changes to our schedule. Here and there, I’ll have a couple months away from the school to produce online material for an expansion.”
He smiled and tilted his head, curious. “I’m lookin’ forward to learning everything about your work. And hopefully, there will be more concerts.”
Fucking hell, he made me happy.
A few weeks later
“You really don’t like Manhattan, do you?” August was thoroughly amused.
I was mildly annoyed by all the people. Fucking Times Square, of all places. Or rather, the M&M Store right next to the square. But most of all, I was ready to cut a fucker if they crowded Camden again.
“I wasn’t kidding when I said I avoid coming into the city.” I eyed the man nearby who was here with his son and daughter. Camden was there too, looking through the coloring books, and the man had already acted like his kids deserved more access than anyone else.
It was possible I was being slightly overprotective, but it was rare for Camden to even wanna leave the house when he was in a regressive period, and I didn’t want him to regret it. There was no role-playing or costumes today. It was just us.
After another moment, Camden looked up and waved me over.
I was there in a second, and I wove my fingers through his hair. “Did you find something fun, ragazzo?”
“This one.” He stayed close to me, self-conscious about who might overhear, and extended a coloring book to me.
“I can hold it for you. Did you wanna go upstairs and look at the stuffies?”
He nodded hesitantly and grasped my hand. “I saw M&M stuffies holding candy tubes.”
“You
