“It was hard growing up in that shadow sometimes, Mom. So, when I got the chance to have something that was just mine, it just made sense.”
I ran a hand over my face and looked over to where Beckett was working on weights. He caught my reflection in the mirror and gave me a weary smile.
“Has anything else possibly made you want to reveal yourself, as you would say?”
I pulled out my phone, glancing down at a photo of myself and Odette sitting on her swing on her front lawn. It was from last week, and the look on her face as she stared at me made it seem like we’d known each other for ages. Been in love for decades.
“We had a threat of exposure last week that we handled,” I took a deep breath before explaining to my mom. “Odette’s ex came into the picture and caused a scene. However, I need you to know that I’m doing this just for her and us, to make sure we are kept safe. I finally feel that it’s time to be me in life. With the café sold and being with Odette, I finally feel that I can have things in life for myself that no one else can take away from me.”
“I had no idea you felt this way, Ry. You’ve always seemed like you were happy with being around the café, helping, and when you started gaming, it seemed like that was the best thing you could have ever done for yourself. I know you and your father have had your differences about your career, but you always seemed so happy with the success you’d made. Is this something you have to do, or is it?—”
“I want to do this.” I cut my mom off. “I want this not just for Odette, but for us. For me.”
For the world we were building, the life we wanted to live, in peace from others, even if it meant being public with the world. No one would be able to hold anything over us; we’d be able to be just Odette and Ryker.
“This is big, Ry.”
“I know, Mom, but she’s the one I want to spend the rest of my life with, and I’m done hiding it. I’m done hiding behind theRyker name, behind a screen, hiding how I feel and who I am to the world.”
“You seem like you’ve really made up your mind.”
I sat up on the gym bench, smiling to myself.
“I have.”
“I only have one question then.”
“Yeah?” I asked wearily, having no idea what was about to come out of my mom’s mouth.
“When do I get to meet her, not as my favorite author, but as your girlfriend?”
“I hope soon.” I was smiling ear to ear now. She wanted to meet her. Our lives were going to merge.
“I’m proud of you.”
“Thank you, Mom. I love you.”
“I love you, too, but don’t ever let me catch wind of something this important from someone else again.” Her voice turned stern again as she warned me. I laughed, not trying to hide it this time. Beckett was walking over to me with timid steps, clearly trying to gauge how upset with him I still was.
“Yes, ma’am.” I finally responded.
“You have a good day, son.”
The line went dead, and I pulled out my earbud. I looked up to Beckett, who was standing in front of me now.
“I’m going to do this.”
“You are.” He was smiling back at me, knowing exactly what I was talking about.
“Now.”
“Now?” Beckett’s eyes went wide as I quickly got up and left him running behind me to catch up. We were going to head back to my house and set up a game plan. There was no more if this was going to happen, but when it would happen.
And it was going to happen now.
“Don’t be mad at me.” Jemma’s voice was behind me as I stirred the simmer pot on the stove.
I hadn’t heard her come through the back door and into the kitchen. Music was blasting while I set my intentions. I stirred a few more times, mixing the orange peels, apple slices, rosemary, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. The house was already starting to smell heavenly.
