The tiny part of me that wanted my mother’s approval writhed like a worm in my gut.
“Do you want to be here? Stay here? And wear those clothes? When did you start?” She leaned forward, genuine curiosity lighting up her eyes.
“Yes, to all of it. And I started as soon as I left home.” I shrugged, still anxious. “It had been on my mind for a while.”
She bit her lip. “Is it because you like blokes that you want to dress that way?”
I snorted. “You like men. Do you want to dress up?”
She laughed, and my stomach unclenched. “Goodness no.”
Walking toward her, I smiled.
She held out a hand and took mine.
Licking my lips, I stared out at the ocean, then met her curious gaze. “I just like it. One has nothing to do with the other.” I wished there was a serious, scientific explanation I could hand out to people on a card that went deeper thanI’m gay and I love dresses, but that was really it.
“It’s a bit much, isn’t it? Lots of work.” She wrinkled her nose.
Snickering, I shrugged.
Mom dragged me down into a hug, and I was happy to rest my weight against her. She leaned back and stared at my face, and my gut crumpled because she hadn’t seen me in person since I’d gone through the windshield. She stroked her soft fingers over the biggest scar on my right cheek.
“You’re a pretty man, no matter what you do. Certainly, I was shocked to see you dressed up. But you’re my boy, and if you enjoy it, okay. So, that big one likes it?” she asked.
“You mean Legend?”
She nodded.
“Yeah, he does.” Heat attacked my cheeks. That wasn’t a conversation I wanted to have with her.
“I am worried,” she finally said. And when I opened my mouth to defend Legend and my choices, she shook her head. “Man like that has enemies. Your father died young.”
“That’s true,” I said quietly.
She hugged me tight, and I clung to her. “Be careful, my boy. I want you to stay alive.”
Squeezing her back, I grinned. I hadn’t realized how much I’d needed this. It had been a long time since I’d felt this complete, and a heavy weight lifted off my chest. There wasn’t anyone I was scared would find out about the things I liked now. Who did I care about? My family and the Company, andthey all knew. No one was kicking me to the curb. I held her tighter, rubbing my cheek against hers, and she laughed.
“It’s not fair, though,” Mom said and leaned back again, eyes sparkling with amusement.
“What’s not fair?”
“If you marry this bloke, you’ll look better than I did in a wedding dress.” She tweaked my nose, and I laughed.
“What’s Uncle Naoise doing right now?” I asked, glancing over my shoulder with a frown.
She grimaced and shot to her feet. “Threatening Mr. Sweeney, I expect.”
Groaning, I rushed into the house with her hot on my heels.
17
LEGEND
Naoise was quite a tall bloke,and it was clear immediately that he was used to utilizing that to his advantage. He’d stared down at Mercy the moment he’d entered the office, and Mercy gave the expression straight back at him, mouth twisted in disgust.
“You keep lookin’ at me like that, old man, your nose will meet my knuckles.” Mercy took a step closer, and I sighed, catching their attention.
