“We’re not gonna see him formonthsnow.”
The petulance in Kai’s voice brought a bubble of laughter to the surface as Wilder watched the two men who’d given him a home and a family when he’d desperately needed one. They’d given him love, devotion, and direction, even when he hadn’t chosen to take any of it. He was eternally grateful for it now.
His feelings for Emmett were starting to settle inside him, making him feel all the lighter for it. He needed to tell him. To give Emmett that honesty he’d always afforded him. To ask him for more, even if Emmett’s answer terrified him.
He pushed his chair back. “I should?”
“Hell, no. You’re staying the night,” Kai snapped at him.
“But?”
“Love doesn’t disappear overnight. Just spend some time with your family and get your shit together before you go professing your undying love to this man whose name you haven’t even told us,” Kai snarked.
He took a deep breath, and then the words came rushing out. “Emmett. I’m in love with Emmett.”
The smiles on his fathers’ faces had warmth spreading through him.
“I’m in love with Emmett,” he repeated, something settling inside him. Something he’d been looking for. Something he’d thought he’d never find. Right until Emmett walked into his life and changed everything. Changed the way he saw everything. The way he lived and loved.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Emmett
HE TOOK a step back to look up at the mural on the brick wall. A smile spread on his lips, and pride flooded his chest with warmth. He’d done it. He’d finished both murals, and he loved what he’d done. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d thoroughly loved his art. Or enjoyed the process so much.
Granted, he might’ve felt better if he’d had Wilder next to him as he finished it, but he didn’t know where he stood with Wilder or with them. Was there even a them? He hoped so. He really fucking hoped so.
“It’s looking good.”
He turned to smile up at Talon, the man having been his relentless shadow all day.
“Thank you. I hope it’s what Kaz wanted.”
Talon’s bushy brows rose. “He’ll love it. Everyone’s already raving about the one you did inside.”
He felt heat rise in his cheeks, but it wasn’t embarrassment. He looked up at the mural, a smile finding his lips. “I can’t wait to show…”
“Wilder?”
He met Talon’s gaze, glad to find only a soft understanding in his eyes. No judgment. No pity.
He breathed out. “Yeah.”
“Don’t worry,” Talon said, lips pulling into a wry smile. “He’ll be back soon.”
Shouting drew his attention to the front entrance of the gym, where one of the twins was leaning out the door, motioning Talon inside.
“It’s fine. I’ll just clean up,” he said when Talon sighed, looking indecisive.
Talon narrowed his eyes before saying, “I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”
He nodded and watched as Talon headed inside, then turned to gather his things. He dropped his paintbrushes into a plastic bag and stacked the paint cans. He’d foregone spray paint to feel the brush against the brick as he painted, needing it to keep from thinking too much about Wilder and all the anxiety that had set up shop in his body.
His phone buzzed, and he pulled it out of his pocket to stare at the text from Wilder, unsure what he was supposed to feel about it.I’ll be home soon.His home?Theirhome?
He needed answers. His heart couldn’t take this whole not-knowing thing. He was in love with Wilder, and he needed to know if there was a chance for them to have a real relationship.
He shoved his phone back into his pocket and turned to head inside. He was ready to go home.
