“Especially then,” I say, holding his gaze and making sure he knows how much I mean that. “I’m not tryin’ to take his place, Lukas. I’m just askin’ if you’ll let me stand here with you. Be your safe space. Your home.”
Lukas doesn’t say anything for a moment. I don’t try to fill the silence. I give him the space he needs to digest this.
“So, you’d be my…dad?” he asks, the question tugging on my heartstrings. “A second dad?”
I’m unable to hide my smile. “Kid, I’d be honored. But only if that’s what you want. Like I said, there’s no rush. I don’t expect an answer today or any time soon. It’s a big decision, and you’re allowed to take as much time as you need.”
He nods once, then again, his gaze bouncing between his hands and my face. “Okay,” he finally murmurs. “I do…want that.”
Tears spring to my eyes before I can help it. There’s a lump in my throat, making it impossible to breathe. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” His eyes brighten as he smiles.
“Thank you.” Standing, I round the table, and lean down, wrapping my arms around him. “I love you, bud.”
He clutches at my shirt like he’s afraid I might disappear. “I love you too.”
It’s not lost on me that this is the first time we’ve said that to each other out loud. But I couldn’t think of a more fitting time.
After we both dry our eyes, we finish eating, and I pay the bill. Nothing else is said about it on the way home, which I expected. It’s not until a couple of hours later, when I’m unloading the dishwasher that Lukas pads into the room and slides on one of the bar stools in front of the counter, and says, “Would that mean Gentry will be my stepdad?”
My eyes fly to him, the plate I’m washing slipping from my grip. “Whoa, hey,” I sputter, turning the faucet off. “Uh—” Clearing my throat, I say, “Where, uh… Where’d that come from?”
He shrugs. “I don’t know. Just curious.”
“Why… Why do you think that?”
“So, no?” he asks, clearly oblivious to the internal panic this question is causing me.
I clear my throat again. “Well, that’s not what I’m sayin’. I’m just confused about where it’s comin’ from. Why Gentry?”
Lukas clicks his tongue to his teeth, watching me with an unamused expression. “Come on, Remi,” he deadpans. “I may be young, but I’m not stupid.”
My heart thunders. “I, uh—I don’t think I know what you mean, kid.”
He crosses his arms over his chest and lifts a brow. Silently daring me to lie.
I fold.
Of course, I do.
“How do you know about that?”
“Remember, young, not stupid.” He laughs when my face scrunches up. “And I may have heard you talkin’ to Hollis about it a few weeks ago.”
I huff, knowing exactly which night he’s referring to. “Ain’t nobody ever told you it’s not polite to eavesdrop?”
He laughs again, not looking even the least bit remorseful.Little shit.“I didn’t mean to,” he offers. “Got up to use the bathroom, and I heard y’all.” Shrugging, he adds, “Blame Hollis. His voice carries.”
I rub my hand over my face, suddenly wishing to be anywhere but this kitchen. “Okay, yes, Gentry and I are…datin’, but it’s still kind of new.”
“So what you’re sayin’ is, Ishouldn’tcall him stepdad when I go over there next week?”
He’s having a sleepover at Gentry’s house next week while I’m on duty. I’m taking him over there in the morning before my shift. He’ll get to hang out with the guys all day and help around the ranch, then have a movie night with Tucker after dinner.
“Jesus Christ,” I mutter under my breath. “Yeah, let’snotdo that.”
“Why not?” he asks obtusely. “Might be funny.”
