Luc started to shake his head, but he knew he wouldn't be able to make Ken see any differently; not whilst everything was so fresh and raw, at least.
"I'm going to go and grab some of Adam's things," he said. "Just enough to tide him over for a few days. Let us know when you and Mum want to talk." He hesitated before leaving. "I don't believe for a second that either of you really want to cut ties with us both. I don't believe you'd cut us out of your lives, especially not Adam. He gave up everything to help you and Mum keep the dance school going.Everything. Don't ask him to give me up, too."
The words hurt as he spat them out, because deep down, he wasn't one hundred percent certain that, if Adam were forced to choose between him and their parents, Adam would choose him.
***
By the time Luc had packed some of Adam's things up and found his brother, it was too late for them to catch a train. He eventually found Adam in the park, sitting on a bench with his hands stuffed inside his jacket pockets, staring across the green playing field to the trees beyond.
"They're really chucking me out then?" Adam asked gruffly, as Luc sat down beside him.
Luc fingered the small suitcase handle. "Not for good."
"Really?"
"They'll come around."
Adam hunched his shoulders. "You don't know that."
Adam was right, but he had to do something to make his stepbrother feel better about the situation. The pain Adam was going through was all his fault. He’d opened his big mouth and told Adam how he felt. He’d been the one who had wanted to talk to their parents, effectively pushing Adam towards that same realisation. He’d been the one who had sworn it would be okay. But it wasn’t. It was far from okay. Adam’s worst nightmare was coming true and it was all his fault. Somehow, he had to give his stepbrother the strength to get through it, even if that strength was built on false hope.
He turned, his knees knocking against Adam's. "I do," he said confidently. "They love you, Adam. They will come around and they will ask you to go back home."
Adam slumped down on the seat. "I'm not so sure."
"Come on," Luc said. "Let's go find somewhere to stay tonight. We can get a train back to my place tomorrow. You can stay as long as you want."
Adam nodded, but didn't move. "What am I meant to do?" He asked. "Move on, or live in limbo, waiting for them to change their mind and invite me home and back to the dance school?"
Luc had no idea what to say. He wanted to encourage Adam to live his life for himself, rather than their parents, but he doubted that sentiment would go down well. As difficult as it was for Luc to hold back, he knew it was something his stepbrother had to learn in his own way and his own time.
"Let's go get a hotel room," he reiterated. "Then we can talk properly. Okay?"
Adam nodded again and this time, stood and followed Luc out of the park.
It didn't take them long to get to the city centre and find a hotel with a spare room. Luc almost asked for a twin room, but decided against it, going for the double that would allow him to share a bed with Adam. If they let their parents’ shock and anger rip them apart, what would have been the point?
"Want to go and get some food?" he asked once they'd made their way up to the room. "Or we could order room service."
"I'm not hungry," Adam mumbled as he sat down on the edge of the bed, clasping his hands between his knees.
He looked more lost and fragile than Luc had ever seen him. Anger flashed through him. He could handle his parents being pissed at him, but the way they were treating Adam was beyond unfair. After all the years he'd given them and their fucking dance school, sending him away was the cruellest thing they could have done. All Adam had done—all either of them had done—was followed his heart for once in his fucking life.
He knelt down, pressing his chest against Adam's knees, which were pressed tightly together. Not that he knew what to say or do.
"I'm sorry." The words sounded weak and meaningless.
Adam stared into his eyes. "It's not your fault. I figured this would happen."
"But you still wanted to tell them?"
"We had to, didn't we? The longer we left it, the worse it would have been for all of us."
Luc nodded in agreement. He knew Adam was right, but it didn't make things any easier.
Adam unclasped his hands and placed them on either side of Luc's face. He dipped his lips to Luc's, kissing him softly and tenderly. It was a far cry from the kisses they normally shared, which were urgent, desperate and rough.
"I love you," Adam whispered. "That's not changed. I'm just not sure what we do next."
