I look at Ryder, waiting for him to explain that it’s more thanthat. When he doesn’t, I sigh. “Mom. Zane and Les used to be together. They’re trying again.”
Mom’s mouth drops open, and Rocco’s eyes narrow further. “You have a fucking cop in your house?” Rocco growls.For fuck’s sake, they’re just alike.
“He isn’t a cop anymore,” Ryder says.
“He saved her,” Mom says to Rocco. He turns to her, and all the tension leaves his shoulders. Seeing my mom have such an effect on him makes me start feeling happy for them. It doesn’t mean I’m going to call Rocco dad, though. “What he does or doesn’t do for a living shouldn’t matter.”
“Katie dear,” Rocco says, rubbing a thumb down Mom’s chin. “Did you forget who they are?”
Katie?I’ve never heard anyone call Mom Katie. She usually hates it.
Mom shakes her head. “It still shouldn’t matter.” Mom turns to Ryder. “If they need each other, that’s what they should get. You guys have no clue what they went through. I remember when you first brought her home.” Mom swallows, remembering what we all are. Les was malnourished, scared of every sound, and cried at the drop of a hat. “That girl out there isn’t the same. Something has changed. All your love and probably this Zane guy.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Rocco prepares himself. “What else did you need to tell me?”
Ryder looks at me for a second, then back at his dad. That one glance shows me how scared he is about what he has to say next. I have a feeling about what it is, and I know this part isn’t easy. Nudging his knee with mine, I show him the support he needs.
“I’m not only dating Les.” Ryder squares his shoulders, sitting taller on the couch. “I’m with Holden too.”
Time freezes. I watch Mom’s eyes widen before she looks at Rocco. So many emotions are rolling across his face that I can’t keep up; shock stands out the most.
“You aren’t gay, son,” Rocco says dismissively.
That muscle in Ryder’s jaw starts ticking. “No. I’m bisexual, Dad.”
“Since when?” Rocco scoffs. “It will pass.”
“That doesn’t just pass,” I speak up on Ryder’s behalf. “He’s trying to tell you something important, and you dismiss him? After we just accepted this?” I gesture between him and Mom.
Rocco turns dark eyes on me; I refuse to react. “I didn’t dismiss him, boy.”
I stand up. “I’m not yourboy,” I grit out. Walking around the back of the couch, I level a look at my mom. “I think this is a conversation they need to have alone.” She stands up, giving Rocco a look before walking to Ryder and taking one of his hands.
“Holden’s a lovely boy. You’re very lucky,” she says, squeezing his hand before letting it go to walk to me.
“Thank you,” Ryder says softly before squaring his shoulders again at his dad.
I squeeze his shoulder in support before leading Mom out of the office. Mom hooks her arm with mine and leads me through the backdoor onto a patio beside the pool. We get settled side by side.
“He’s just in shock,” Mom says finally, defending Rocco. “I know how that feels.”
“I hope he knows how much it took for Ryder to tell him that.”
Mom turns with a smile. “You and Ryder are still good?”
“Yeah. All that other shit doesn’t matter anymore,” I answer.
“How do you feel about this Zane guy?”
I sigh. “I didn’t like it. But I’m trying for Les. Even a blind person can see the difference he makes in her.”
“I’m not going to pretend I understand this relationship dynamic; I still have a lot to learn. But this won’t work if all of you guys don’t agree.”
“I know. Ryder has a lot of stuff to get over regarding Zane. He’ll get there. He did with me.” I turn to Mom. “Are you really happy, Mom?”
“I am. Rocco is,” she smiles, “everything I ever wanted but didn’t know I needed.”
