Jake chuckled to himself as he picked up the phone, tapped on the notification, and skimmed the text—or multiple texts, actually. The first teased him about the fact that she hadn’t heard from him in a few days. The second started with a little winking-face emoji, followed by the wordsAnd I bet I know why that is. Then the third... got serious.
Kris (6:54 a.m.):I know you’re thinking, “Why’s Kris messaging me so damn early in the morning?” So I’ll tell you. I’ve been sitting here in my office for the better part of the last half hour, staring at this picture of you that I have on my desk. You know that one where you’d just gotten out of the hospital, and you were still in your wheelchair, holding Phil in your lap while you read him a book? And I just had to text you and tell you this: I love you, and I’m so proud of you and the life you’ve built for yourself after all that shit that happened. I don’t know if I tell you that enough. And now I’m crying too, because I’m also so happy you’re not alone anymore. I know you always said you were fine with everything just how it was. But I know what it’s like to be alone, and I just love that you’ve finally found your person. I know it hasn’t been easy for you two, but hold onto what you’ve built together, and continue to be patient with him (and yourself!) because it’s worth it (told you so, didn’t I?)
Kris (6:57 a.m.):P.S. Phil says hi and that he’s mad at both of you for not being online the last few days so he can kick your ass at Mario Kart. What’ve you guys been doing in the evenings? Huh???? ;)
Kris (6:59 a.m.):I love you, little brother
Jake blinked back tears as he read through the messages a second time, trying not to laugh or cry or do anything that would wake Rye. It was as though his sister hadknownhow much he’d neededthis reminder right now—the reminder of just how precious everything in his life was and how patient he’d been for so long, waiting and waiting, until he’d finally, finallyfound...this.
And it was another reminder that if he just continued to be patient, he might get the things he now knew he really wanted.
Like this. Here. Every morning.
He set the phone back on the nightstand, turned toward his boyfriend, and gathered Rye up in his arms. Then he brushed a light kiss against Rye’s forehead. “Good morning,” he murmured, letting his lips linger against Rye’s skin.
“Mmm, this is the best way to wake up,” Rye mumbled, the warmth from his breath seeping through Jake’s shirt.
“It is,” Jake agreed. He kissed Rye again in the same spot. “We’ve got a few hours until your mom gets home. And you wanted to be there, right? Make lunch for her and Tanya and Jon?”
Rye nodded against him, but didn’t immediately move. “Mm-hmm, I was thinking chicken salad. That’s Mom’s favorite. She likes this old recipe she has with grapes in it. Maybe we can stop by home first so I can grab the recipe, then we can head to the store?”
“Yeah, we can do that.”
“’Kay.” Rye still didn’t move for another moment or two. When he finally pushed himself up onto one elbow, he leaned in and pressed a kiss to Jake’s lips. “Okay, moving now. Do you mind if I take the bathroom first?”
Jake shook his head, and Rye smiled in response, kissed his lips again, and then climbed out of bed and disappeared into the bathroom.
Closing his eyes for a second, Jake allowed himself a deep breath. Then, he reached over and picked his phone back up, and, awkwardly swiping the keyboard with just his thumb, he managed to type out a short message to his sister.
Jake (7:03 a.m.):You did tell me, and it *is* worth it. And I owe so much to you. I love you too, big sister. Call you tonight <3
Chapter Seventy
Rye
Ryecarefullyplacedthelast of the dishes into the dishwasher and closed it, drying his hands on a dish towel as he turned around. The house was quiet and still now. Jon and Tanya had left maybe an hour ago, and his mom had gone to her room to unpack her bag while he’d finished doing the dishes.
He let his gaze wander out over the open room and blinked. He’d been feeling an odd sense of detachment from it—the house and his home—all afternoon, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on why.
Seeing his mom again, when she, Jon, and Tanya had arrived home after a long morning of driving, had been wonderful. She’d cried, which Rye had expected, and she’d held him for a good three or four minutes before releasing him to give Jake a hug that was nearly as long.
Rye grinned at the memory—seeing his mom, who was even shorter than he was, hugging Rye’s giant of a boyfriend had been almost comical. Jake had stayed just through lunch and then excused himself to go home, telling Rye he’d text later, and Rye had spent most of the rest of the afternoon and evening with his family, listening to them tell him all about their trip as they showed him the dozens and dozens of pictures they’d taken.
But when Jake had left...thathad been when this sense of detachment had started. He frowned as he glanced toward the front door.
Yeah. When Jake had left.Thatwas when it had started.
“Oh, sweetie, that was so nice of you to do the dishes, and after you took care of all the cooking too.”
Rye tore his gaze away from the front door to see his mom padding over from the hallway. She was smiling softly at him, but her eyes were tired. He gave her a small smile in return, set the dish towel down on the counter, and straightened up as she approached.
“I tell you, I’m just exhausted. I need a vacation from my vacation.” She laughed, though it was subdued, and then she opened up her arms in invitation. Rye’s heart did something a little funny as he pushed away from the counter and stepped toward her. “I think I’m going to be heading to bed,” she said, and her arms wrapped low around his waist. “Oh, oh, how I missed you.”
“I missed you, too, mama,” he whispered into her hair, and he hugged her right back.
She pulled away after not too long this time, and when she looked up at him again, her eyes shone with some deep emotion he couldn’t quite interpret. She stared at him for a second, as though maybe she were gathering her thoughts to say something, but then she just set her hands on his upper arms and squeezed gently.
“I’ll see you in the morning, then?”
