“They can’t seem to leave the game room.”
Pushing open the door, I jumped up and down. “I found you.”
Freedom sat in front of a multiple-screen room displaying the rooms of his mansion, his gaze zeroing in on my chest. “Show me that jump again.”
“Ha ha.” I moved to stand beside him. “This is crazy. You’re really rich, aren’t you?”
“We’re really rich. Whatever I have is yours.”
“This is Jamie’s future.” I corrected.
He looked annoyed as he pulled me onto his lap, pointing to the rooms. “The bedrooms and bathrooms are the only rooms without cameras, and they automatically erase everything in 24 hours.” Freedom nuzzled my neck.
“Stop, Freedom. I’m still married, and Jamie is here.”
“He’s in the game room, right there. He won’t catch us.” He pointed to the screen where Jamie and Peace wore headpieces and sat in special recliners. “At least I know one thing he likes.”
I tilted away from him to see his face. “You’re nervous?”
Freedom nodded. “I don’t think I’ve ever been this scared. He’s a teenager, may only want me for my money, or be angry at me because he thinks I didn’t want him.”
Hopping off his lap, I grabbed his hand, pulling him up. “Or love you. Come on, I’m sure he’s just as scared, which is why he’s in the game room. It’s his comfort zone.”
Freedom wisely dropped my hand before we made it to the game room. We stood at the door quietly. Peace noticed us first and nudged Jamie. He glanced at Peace and then slowly at Freedom.
Jamie pushed off his headphones, and Freedom walked into the room and exclaimed, “This is awkward as hell. The good thing is that we won’t ever have to meet for the first time again. This is one and done, so we can be nervous with each other for now. I promise the nervousness won’t last because I want to be in your life however you want me to be. I’ve been smiling since yesterday, knowing that I was about to meet you. So much I wantto share with you. And I promise not to take you away from your mom and Kody.”
I stood behind Freedom, studying my son’s solemn expression. He was hard to read. I added, “Jamie, he’s going to love you no matter what.” I caught Peace’s concerned expression, and he gave a subtle nod. “Peace told me about your group at school, told me that you enjoyed it.”
Jamie’s eyes grew round with apprehension, and he looked back at Peace. “You told her?”
“I told you I would, if you didn’t,” Peace firmly replied. His tone left no room for further questioning.
“Told her what?” Freedom asked and walked closer to his son. “What kind of group?”
Jamie's chest heaved up and down.
“You can tell me. I already love you.” His voice broke. “You look…look…like my mother. It’s like I get to see her again.”
I blinked back tears.
Peace said quietly, “Tell him, Jamie. My brother accepted me before I knew I needed to be accepted.”
Freedom’s brows furrowed deeper and then relaxed. “Oh, wait. Is this group about sexual orientation or gender or something?”
Jamie nodded. “I’m trying to figure it out.”
Freedom looked at me and Peace. “Can younotact like it’s the end of the world? I thought the boy had cancer or something.” He then looked at Jamie. “You’re my son. If you consider yourself a girl, then I guess you’re my daughter. Tell me who you are, and it’s all good with me.”
“I’m a boy. I don’t have a question about that.”
“Then, is it okay if I kick both of your asses in another round while you figure out the other stuff?”
Peace moved down so that Freedom could sit in the recliner next to Jamie. While Freedom added himself to the game, Jamie jumped up, rushed to me, and hugged me tightly.
I tugged on his twists. “You’re good?”
He nodded and spoke quietly, “I like him already. You think he meant it when he said he loved me?”
