Ford shifts beside me, giving me a small, reassuring nudge. “Guess the old man didn’t blow a gasket after all,” he mutters under his breath, just loud enough for me to hear.
I snort, shaking my head. “Not yet, anyway.”
Dad glances between us one last time, something unreadable in his expression. “I’m gonna go. I know I just got here, but I was just passing through for work and well, this is a shock. Can I stop by again on the way back home? Stay longer. Maybe do lunch or dinner.”
“I’d like that.” He gives me a smile, then heads toward the door.
“Dad,” I call after him.
He stops, looking back over his shoulder.
“Thanks for coming,” I say, and I mean it.
He nods, a small, almost imperceptible movement. Then he’s gone, leaving the door swinging shut behind him.
The silence that follows feels heavy, but not uncomfortable. Just... full.
Dylan leans into me, her head resting on my shoulder. “You okay?” she murmurs.
I nod, exhaling a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Yeah. I think I am.”
Chapter 37
Jacob
College is the best. I thought when Matthew moved in, there may be some tension with all of us being in the same space, but there hasn’t been. It’s as if we’re finally where we are meant to be.
Not only that, but classes are going amazingly well. Dylan and Ford are on the Dean’s List and I’m just a fraction of a point from being on it myself. I couldn’t be prouder of the two of them. Ford’s parents stopped by two weeks ago on their way to Vegas and brought my mom with them. Ford's dad was taking his mom to see a Cirque du Soleil show before heading out on a two week Alaskan cruise. We thought being affectionate with each other around them would be uncomfortable, but it wasn’t. They raved about how happy they were that Dylan had three amazing men like us.
“Hey, sweetheart.” My mom smiles brightly at me from where she’s standing at the kitchen counter. She stayed behind to fly back when Ford’s parents left for Vegas. “You’re up early.”
“I know. I wanted to make sure you still didn’t want me to take you to the airport.” I make my way across the kitchen, giving her a kiss on the cheek before taking my cup from yesterday out of the strainer.
“Coffee should be done in a minute, and I don’t. I’ve already ordered a ride to come and pick me up in an hour.” She reaches out and runs her fingers down my face before tucking the stray strands of hair behind my ear. I really need to get a haircut, but we’ve all been so busy it’s just slipped my mind. “Sit with me and let's talk.”
“Sure, Mom.” The coffee finishes and I make us each a cup before joining her. I reach into the basket on the table and pull out a pumpkin muffin, taking a large bite.
She picks up her mug, cradling it in her hands, basking in the warmth as she inhales. “Pumpkin spice creamer. My favorite.”
I can’t help but smile. “I know, but you have Dylan to thank for that. It’s her favorite too. She’s in the store almost every day buying some, wanting to make sure she has stock when it’s out of season.” We both laugh as my mom takes a sip before reaching out and placing her hand on mine.
“I’m so proud of you. I don’t know if I tell you enough, but I am. You’ve achieved so much. Dylan’s a good girl. I’m glad that you finally found your way back to each other. The relationship you’re in isn’t one I would’ve planned for you, but I see it works. She makes you happy, and that’s all I care about.”
Hearing my mom’s acceptance of our unconventional lifestyle means everything. Her approval, along with Ford’s parents, is amazing. Gideon knows and well, he doesn’t seem to object to what we have, although he does always bring up that Matthew and Dylan are soon to be step siblings no matter how many times we counter that they’re not blood related.
“Thank you.” I want to tell her more, but I can’t come up with the words.
“What are you doing for Thanksgiving and Christmas? Are you planning to visit home anytime soon?” I love how she hints at me coming home without outright asking.
“I’m not sure. We haven’t talked about it yet. But if we do, we’d probably get a hotel room since Matthew and Dylan wouldn’t have anywhere to stay.” Dylan and Matthew had told Mom how tense things were. I admit I had to fight back tears when Mom offered to be her stand in parent. Her mother whenever she needed one to talk to. Especially to vent about the three men she was dating, minus any sex details. That last part sent us all into hysterics.
It’s been a blessing and heartbreak for Dylan. Holly hasn’t reached out to her, and I know even though she doesn’t say, it’s breaking her heart. A mother is supposed to support her child, be there for her when she needs her. But Holly only thinks of herself, continuing to live in her world of delusion. We thought once Gideon told her about our unique dating relationship she’d be beating down the door. But she hasn’t. So either she doesn’t care or Gideon never told her. Both are pretty viable options.
Mom and I spend the rest of her small amount of time here catching up. Dylan and the guys make it downstairs right before her ride shows up to take her to the airport, with each of us promising to think about spending the holidays with her, since she offered for us all to stay with her. She even said she could have a bigger bed put in my old room to accommodate all of us.
“Happy Halloween!” Dylan and Avery shout as they make their way down the stairs. Dylan is dressed as Harley Quinn and Avery is Catwoman. Both women look amazing and utterly hot, but my eyes are only on my girl.
Henry lets out a gasp from beside me and I almost burst out laughing. I don’t know what’s going on between him and Avery, but the sexual tension is off the charts, almost beating Matthew and Dylan before they finally gave in.
