“Yeah, I am. I worried I’d have trust issues if I dated again, for sure. But this is Mike we’re talking about. He’s the most reliable person I know. If anyone sticks it out with my ass, it’ll be him.”
“And what about… after your professor… Jesus, I’m still pissed about it.”
My brows shoot up to my hairline. Mom never swears. “It’s okay, Mom, really. It was more the betrayal than the touching, which freaked me out.”
She relaxes and picks up her coffee cup again, taking another sip. “Okay. You’d tell me otherwise, right?”
“Yeah, I will.”
“You and Mike are communicating all this?”
“Yeah, we are.”
I stand and push my seat under the table. “Thanks, Mom. I’m off for a run. I’m a bit behind on it.”
She waves me off, picking up her book. “Have fun, and please tell Mike to use the front door next time.”
My face burns for Mike—big, adorable dork.
Chapter 23
Mike
“Mom?Youknowwherewe put the camping gear?” I promised to pick up Dennis in an hour, but I still haven’t showered and am looking everywhere for that damn tent and sleeping bag.
“In the attic, hon.” She looks over her shoulder from where she’s stirring a pot on the stove. “Great day for camping. The sunset should be beautiful tonight. Your dad loved camping out.” There’s a hint of wistfulness in her voice, and a memory of the three of us on a weekend trip to Fort Stevens State Park flashes through my mind. Happy memories, and now I get to make new ones with Dennis. “You going with Dennis?”
“Yeah.”
“Such a nice young man he’s turned into. So happy you’ve got a friend like that, Mike.”
Friend.I guess I could leave it at that, but something inside me wants to tell Mom that Dennis and I aren’t just friends anymore. She’s already hinted at knowing anyway, I don’t think Mom would mind that I now have a boyfriend. Shit, it still blows my mind that I do. I catch myself grinning stupidly, then feel my dick stirring.Do not get a boner in frontof your mom!I suck in a deep breath, trying very hard not to focus on anything that involves a naked Dennis, although it’s become my favorite pastime lately.
“Yes, he is,” I say, before just jumping right in. “He’s… he’s not just my friend, actually.”
Mom stops stirring, dropping the spoon into the pot, before she turns around to face me, giving me her full attention. Her eyes are curious, a frown between her brows, a warm smile playing along her lips. Okay, here goes nothing.
“We’re dating, actually. Den’s my… he’s my boyfriend.” My legs feel like they’re about to give out as blood rushes to my head. My heart is thumping so hard it hurts. It’s so easy being with Dennis. But telling my mom, the most important person in my life, about this part of me is harder than I thought. Even though I think she guessed it a while back, it’s something entirely different finally putting it into words. It makes it more real somehow.
Mom tilts her head as she takes me in, her smile widening, her eyes growing moist. “Your boyfriend?”
I nod, swallowing. She shakes her head, her entire face becoming alight. I can’t recall seeing her this happy since before Dad died. My chest overflows with happiness and gratitude. My truth has made her happy.
“Oh, honey. Oh, Michael, sweetie.” She moves toward me in quick strides, engulfing me in a tight embrace. She squeezes me like both our lives depend on it, sniffling against my shoulder, and I hug her back, relief coursing through me. “I’m so happy for you. For both of you.”
I sniff, too, my voice raspy with emotion. “Yeah?”
She eases me away from her, her hands remaining on my shoulders. “Of course.” Then, like she’s reading my mind, she adds, “Your dad would’ve been, too. He loved those Holbrook boys.”
“And you’re okay that he’s a… that Den’s a guy?”
She continues to smile. “Of course.” She hesitates, then says, “I think I always knew that there was something… I don’t know how to put it.”
“Wrong?”
“No, not wrong! Never wrong. You’re not wrong, Michael. You were just… never really happy, I guess. I always thought it was over losing your father at such a young age, but it wasn’t only that, was it?”
“No,” I croak. “It wasn’t.”
