I took his hand. “Don’t. If you do that, there’s no coming back. You and your father will never reconcile.”
Weston said nothing for the rest of the ride to his apartment.
A long, low whistle escaped Bill when we walked inside. “Park Avenue. Fancy stuff.”
Now that he was home, Weston was more relaxed and kicked off his sneakers. “It’s the same four walls to make a room as anywhere else. The people are what makes it special.”
Bill’s eyes dimmed. “My wife useta say something like that.”
I squeezed his shoulder. “Are you hungry? I can order whatever you’d like. Tomorrow we’ll go out for a real diner breakfast like we used to.”
“Nothin’ like it. And you don’t gotta entertain me.” He walked through the rooms, admiring the apartment. “You got a nice place here, but shouldn’t I check into my hotel before they give my room away?”
“No way,” Weston called out from the kitchen, returning with three bottles of beer. “I have a second bedroom. You’ll stay here.” He handed them out.
“I-I couldn’t. That wouldn’t be right.”
“Says who?” With a wink, Weston tipped his bottle to us.
“Besides,” I added in. “I didn’t reserve a room. I wanted you to stay here with us.”
Weston nodded vigorously. “We can order a pizza, and I’m sure Bill will want an early night, but tomorrow I’ve got tickets to the Mets game. Right behind home plate.”
“Wow, uh, that’s nice of you. I never been in one of them.”
I handed Bill the remote. “Make yourself comfortable.” And left him happily reuniting with all his old stations. “West, can you help me in the kitchen for a sec?” West trailed after me, and I faced him once we were alone and out of earshot. “What’re you doing?”
His eyes narrowed. “I’m being nice. Why is that a problem?”
I put a hand on his arm. “No, of course not. But you don’t have to throw all these expensive things at him. Just be you.”
He slipped his arms around my waist. “That thing you said in the car? About never being able to reconcile with my father? That ship has sailed.”
I kissed his cheek. “Are you sure?”
“I tried so hard to be the son he wanted when I was young. I wanted to be just like him. Until I saw who he really was, and then I wished I’d never met him.” His cheek rested against mine. “I don’t have a father anymore.”
“What about your sister?” The little girl was the real reason Weston had tried at all.
“Paige texted me that she’ll let me talk to Emily and see her.” He smirked. “Seems Emily hasn’t stopped talking about our visit.”
“So maybe it’s me, not you.”
“Well, you are pretty cute,” Weston teased. “And sweet.” He kissed me. “And don’t forget sexy.” He kissed me again. “So, so sexy.”
I let him nuzzle my neck and rubbed my cheek to his, reveling in the raspy skin. “Just be yourself with Bill. I fell for the Weston you are right now, not that guy who once thought he needed to show off who he is. Your star already shines bright.”
“But I told him about the game.”
“I know, and he’ll love it. Are you sure you want to go out in such a public arena? The press might be up in our faces.”
His smile was grim. “I refuse to live life hiding in shadows. I’m not ashamed of being with you.”
Damn, I was a lucky guy.
“But let’s have hot dogs and junk food at Citifield, not some fancy dinner in a stuffy restaurant.”
He kissed me hard, leaving me breathless. “Anything you want.”
