“I just hope something good comes out of this,” Mr.Wilder finishes before standing abruptly.“I’m going to bed.”Without another word, he walks out of the dining room, leaving the three of us in silence.
Lila sighs but keeps eating, her calm demeanor unshaken.“Go on, keep eating,” she says, smiling at me.“Don’t let anyone ruin your appetite.”
I nod and pick at my food, trying to push the lingering tension aside.Fox does the same, though his movements are stiff and deliberate.
After dinner, Fox and I handle the dishes while Lila heads upstairs for the night.I wash, and Fox dries, his usual playfulness muted.
“I’m sorry about my father,” he says quietly, breaking the silence.
“It’s fine,” I reply, focusing on scrubbing a plate.“At least he acted better than mine.My father kicked me out, remember?”
“His loss,” Fox mutters.I scoff, a small smile tugging at my lips despite myself.
“I really want to kiss you right now,” he whispers, leaning closer.
“Please don’t,” I warn him, glancing toward the doorway.“Your father might walk in.”
“So?”Fox smirks, his defiance bubbling back to the surface.
“So, it would be nice if you respected him,” I say firmly.
“Fuck.”He groans like a petulant child and dries the last dish.I chuckle quietly, shaking my head.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, breaking the moment.I pull it out and freeze when I see the caller ID.
“Who’s that?”Fox asks, leaning over to peek at the screen.His eyes widen.“Your mom?”
“I wonder why she’s calling,” I murmur, staring at the screen as if it might explode.Before I can decide whether to answer, Fox snatches the phone from my hand and presses the answer button, putting it on speakerphone.
“Cameron?”My mom’s voice filters through the line, hesitant and uncertain.
I glance at Fox, who nods encouragingly.“Hey, Mom.”
“How are you doing?”she asks, her tone tentative.
“I’m fine,” I reply, trying to keep my voice steady.
She sighs audibly.“I’m sorry about what happened with your father.”Her voice wavers and I realize she’s on the verge of tears.
Fox rolls his eyes at her words, and I glare at him.He shrugs innocently, handing the phone back to me.
“Why are you calling, Mom?”I ask, ignoring his antics.
There’s a pause on the other end of the line before she speaks again, her voice cracking.“I’m sorry for what I did to you, Cameron.I shouldn’t have… I tried talking to your father, but he won’t listen.He doesn’t want you back…” She breaks into quiet sobs, and my chest tightens.“I want you back, Cameron.I’m so sorry I can’t help you.”
Tears sting my eyes, but I bite my lip, determined to hold them back.I refuse to cry in front of Fox—not now.
“I’m sorry you won’t be able to come home anymore,” she continues, her words choked with emotion.“But I promise I’ll visit you.I’ll call you.And I’ll try to help you through college, just like I always have.”
“It’s fine.I’m fine,” I manage to say, though my voice cracks slightly.
“You’ve always been a strong young man,” she says, her voice softening.“And I’m so glad you have Fox.He loves you so much, Cam.”
I glance at Fox, who’s watching me intently.He smiles shyly, his expression full of quiet reassurance.I take the phone off speaker and hold it to my ear.
“I know,” I say softly.
“I’ll call to check on you, Cameron,” Mom promises.“You’re still my son, and I’m so sorry for what I did.I should’ve stood by you.”
