Adam nodded. "I... I've applied for a position at Ballet Torsion," he managed to say, even though his voice sounded cracked and frail. He lifted his head and met first his dad's gaze, then his mum's. "I need to start living my life for me. I hope you can both understand that."
They nodded, although Deborah sobbed.
"Of course," she whispered. "We're so grateful for everything you did for us and the dance school." She slipped off the sofa and knelt on the floor in front of them, placing her hand over Adam's cheek. "Youshouldfollow your dreams. I don't doubt the company will accept you. You're an exceptionally talented dancer and you shouldn't let your passion go to waste."
"I wasn't," Adam said, hating how close he was to tears. "I was helping other dancers find their potential. And I'll do that again, in a few years." He was certain of that, either as a teacher or running his own company.
Deborah wrapped one arm around him and the other around Luc, drawing them both to her in a firm embrace. "I love you both so much," she whispered, sobbing openly. "I'm so sorry I hurt you."
"We both are," their dad said, joining the hug pile.
That simple action of being hugged by both their parents ruined Adam completely. He sniffed once in a feeble attempt at holding back his tears and then let them flow freely, his chest heaving with the exertion of crying. Within seconds, all four of them were crying and hugging and then laughing, too. It was the weirdest combination of sounds he'd ever heard. But it was also amazing: the sound of a family reuniting.
"Do you forgive us?" their dad asked as they all finally parted.
"Yes," Adam and Luc said in unison, not even needing to glance at each other for mutual confirmation.
"Let us take you out for lunch," Deborah said, running her hands over her face in an attempt to wipe away the tears that made her cheeks glisten. "We've got some catching up to do."
"Sure," Luc said. "That would be great. But... could I borrow Adam for a moment?"
When their parents nodded, Luc grabbed Adam's hand again and tugged him to his feet. They headed to the bathroom, which was the only private space in the apartment.
Once there, Luc closed and locked the door and then pushed Adam against the sink, kissing him and holding him so tightly, Adam was sure his ribs and mouth would break under the pressure.
"Thank fuck," Luc whispered, resting his forehead against Adam's.
"You told me everything would be okay," Adam said, not able to temper the stupid grin that had spread across his face.
Luc nodded. "I did, didn't I?"
Adam caught hold of Luc's face and forced him to look up until their gazes locked. "You said it, but you didn't believe it, did you?"
Luc sighed and then shook his head. "But I'm so glad I was wrong." He kissed him again, the desperate heat of his mouth scorching Adam's. "So. Fucking. Glad," he said between kisses.
"Me too," Adam agreed. "So, what now?"
"We go out for lunch and let them grovel some more?" Luc said in a none too serious tone, prompting them both to laugh.
"No, I mean... where do we go from here?"
"Well, we already agreed you'd move in," Luc said. "Don't think I forgot that conversation, just because we both fell asleep straight after."
"I'm glad you didn't forget," Adam said, circling his thumbs over Luc's cheeks.
"And you're going to get into Ballet Torsion," Luc told him confidently. "So I'd say our future is pretty much set. We live here for now and eventually find a bigger place that doesn't involve climbing up a ladder whenever we want to fuck."
"That sounds great," Adam said.
"Great?" Luc asked with mock shock. "It sounds perfect!"
Chapter Thirty-One
Luc
Luc watched Adam through the restaurant window. His brother was standing outside on the street, his mobile phone pressed to one ear, his hand covering the other.
"Looks important," Adrianna said, following his gaze.
