“No.” Elliot’s shoulders hunched, and Win hated how the mere mention of his sister hurt him. The damage from his parents’ behavior toward him as a child ran deep, and Win assumed that was why he gave himself so fully in previous relationships—to try and find the love he didn’t get from the people who should’ve given it to him unconditionally.
As much as Win wanted to rush to Elliot’s side to offer him comfort, he held back, acting the coward because he couldn’t show affection in front of his parents. Fear was the ugly companion to the loneliness in his soul.
“Well, it’s nice that you and Win became friends. He’s an only child too.”
Elliot remained silent, and his mother’s smooth brow furrowed, as if she were trying to figure out what was wrong.
She turned to Win. “Let’s have some of those muffins I brought, and I just made a pot of coffee. I’m sure Elliot would love a snack.”
“I really didn’t mean to interrupt. I should go.” He half rose, but his mother put a hand on his arm.
“Don’t be silly. Jack, you can help Win with the coffee and muffins.”
Resistance was futile.
With a sigh, Win rose, and with his father on his heels, entered the kitchen.
He put the kettle on. “I’ll make Elliot some tea, and then we’ll take it and the muffins to the living room. You get the coffee, okay?”
As they waited for the water to boil, his father asked, “That’s the man you told us about, right? The one you met when his house was broken into?”
“Yeah.”
“How serious is it with you two?”
Taken aback by his father’s question, Win couldn’t answer. Not right away. Not when he’d almost forgotten Kevin’s birthday. He’d promised to love Kevin forever. What kind of a person did that make him?
“We’re dating, but it’s nothing serious.” Internally, he winced at the lie.
“Are you sure about that? Look, son. We may be older, but we’re not dead. I can see how he looks at you. Plus, we heard some of your earlier conversation. You’re in a relationship with him—the first since Kevin passed away. That alone makes him special. I hope you know what you’re doing.”
Damn. He might be in his midthirties, but that didn’t mean he felt comfortable talking about sex with his parents. Did anyone ever?
“We’re taking it slow, building a solid friendship. He’s a very sweet guy.”
“I’m not questioning that. I’m sure whoever you got involved with would be. But something about Elliot made him the man able to pull you out of hiding, and for that I owe him. I want my son back,” his father said roughly, and Win’s throat closed. The only other time he’d seen his father cry was when Kevin died.
“I’m sorry, Dad. I think I’m better than I was six months ago.”
The tea was ready, so his father picked up the coffeepot and the three mugs from the table. “I know you are. You’re partway home. I’m waiting for all of you to return. Now we’d better get back, because Elliot might never recover if we leave him with your mother any longer.”
Laughing together, they carried everything into the living room. “Here we are. Elliot, you haven’t tasted anything like my mother’s muffins. There are raspberry and blueberry.”
“They sound delicious. And I didn’t have dinner yet, so I wouldn’t mind.” He took a huge bite and chewed.
Win checked his watch. “It’s pretty late. You must be hungry.”
“I have leftovers at home, or I can order in.”
His mother sipped the coffee his father had poured. “We’ll be leaving after we finish our coffee, so why don’t you give Elliot some of the sandwiches we brought, Win?”
“Oh no, I don’t want to cut your visit short. I couldn’t take the food you brought.” But Elliot’s protests were ignored.
“Of course you can, and we’re not cutting our visit short. It’s a long drive home, and I don’t like Jack driving too late at night.”
Win smothered a smile at the dark glare his father shot his mother. Damn, she was playing with fire. His father hated any reminder that he was getting older, chafing even at wearing the glasses the doctor prescribed for night driving. But a few minutes later, he rose with a sigh and shook his head.
“It was nice meeting you, Elliot. Apparently, I have a curfew now.”
