“And they don’t care that you’re with me? They don’t care that you’re with a trashy guy from a shitty area of Los Angeles who no longer even has a job? Do they think I’m some young, freeloading deadbeat? Did you tell them all about me to warn them for when they see me?”
It all rattled out of his mouth so quickly. I could visualize his parents and older brother surrounding a boy with the intent to harm his soul. It reminded me how fast his parents’ words could reclaim him.Scratch that.His parents couldtryto reclaim him, but he was mine. I moved my hand over his abdomen again.
“Ryan, stop talking. Close your eyes and listen to my voice and not your parents.”
I paused, hoping a few quiet moments would settle him down enough to relax. I needed him to focus and listen to my voice while I corrected his statements and shoved his parents out of his mind. I wanted them out ofourspace.
“They know you’re from California and that you used to work in marketing at a hotel and casino.” I leaned over and pressed my lips against his ear. “They know you’re an author with a brilliant, creative mind.” I kissed his ear softly. “I told them these things about you not in warning, but so they could understand just how special you are to me.” I pressed my lips against his ear again. “I want them to know how your spirit and existence on this planet is nothing short of a miracle.” I kissed his ear again. “I love talking about you, Ryan. Talking about you fills me with a happiness that I’ve never felt before. No one has ever made me feel the way you do. And I have news for you, Ryan. My family is so excited to meet you because they know you’ve turned my world upside down and captured my heart.”
I knew he believe me by the way his body relaxed. Ryan’s hand covered mine as he took a deep breath. He leaned his head against mine, returning to me and leaving those assholes behind.
“We’re going to have a wonderful trip, Ryan.”
“I know we will.”
With that, I closed my eyes and prayed he would sleep peacefully. I didn’t want him to have a nightmare and be exhausted for the first leg of our trip tomorrow.
