He did know. When his dad was falling apart, Kash and Bowen were there to fill in the gaps for Gage, so he never felt alone. And when the others needed help, there was always someone to step in.
He had maybe just forgotten in all the chaos that he was part of this too.
“Is it crazy that I’m just gonna jump in and parent some random kid?”
“I did it. It worked out pretty fucking well,” Adele said.
Gage’s eyes went wide. “Okay,wow.”
“Too soon?”
In spite of the fact that it felt like there was a hurricane still raging in his chest, Gage smiled. “Nah. I deserve it.”
Adele yanked him close again. “You deserve to be happy. And I can take a few hits, but those ones today hurt.”
Gage swallowed heavily. “I’m so sorry. I’m so fucking sorry. I love you, and I mean, this is probably biased, but you are literally the best dad on the planet.”
Adele squeezed him harder. “I expect a mug next Father’s Day.”
“And a banner,” Gage promised. He pulled back, then bit his lip before saying, “I guess I’ll be getting a mug too, right?”
“I—fuck,” Adele breathed out. “I knew this was going to happen, but I didn’t realize it would be this soon.”
Gage didn’t really know what to say about that. He’d spoken to Kash and Adele both about the what-ifs before the paternity test had come back, but he hadn’t let himself think about the reality of it. He couldn’t. He was wrung out and completely spent on just existing and getting by.
This was different.
This was wanted.
This was him in love with not only Fallon, but the concept of their little family. And he knew in this moment, no matter how hurt he was, he would fight to the death to protect it.
“I think Fallon will be ready to talk about it all once it’s over. You know?”
“I can handle that,” Adele said. “And when you need someone, you know where to find me.”
“Dad, I’m so?—”
“No,” Adele said. He set his hands on Gage’s shoulders and looked him in the eye. “No more apologizing. I forgive you. It’s over. It’s finished. You have already beat yourself to a bloody pulp over things you can’t control. We’re not adding that to the list. Not with me. Do you understand?”
Gage nodded. “I didn’t know I was capable of saying those things to you though. I—I don’t want to. Never again.”
“Then talk to someone before it gets to that point.”
That was fair. Gage had been in therapy, but he’d been avoiding all these big things for so long, and this was a nice wake-up call because he wouldn’t be able to live with himself if Fallon ended up his next target.
“I’m going to fix it.”
“You’re going to cope,” Adele corrected.
Gage rolled his eyes. “Potato-potahto.”
“Mhm. Now, please go introduce me to your boyfriend properly.” Adele opened the door and hurried down the hall toward the living room. Gage followed and found Kash and Fallon sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with a bowl of popcorn balanced between their thighs, watching the English baking show Kash loved so much.
“It’s all about the layers,” Kash said. “And not splitting the cream.”
Adele cleared his throat, and Fallon and Kash looked up at him. “I believe I’m owed a second introduction to the man who will probably become my next son?”
Fallon’s cheeks burst into bright red splotches, and Gage slapped a hand over his face.
