“Mom,” Riley objected, not wanting to have this conversation right now.
“You almost lost him last weekend. You got lucky, and you should take the warning that Brent won’t wait for you forever. It’s time to come home, Riley. You don’t have to run anymore.”
Riley swallowed. His mother knew him too well, better than anyone. What everyone else saw as him being brave and carefree, she understood as a little boy running away from home.
He’d never grown up past that. Running had become his routine, had becomecomfortable. It was only now that it was wearing on him. His whole family had moved on, settled into their lives, and he felt as though he was out in the cold these days.
Not that hewas. He knew he’d always have them.
But they were all starting their own families. Soon enough, he’d be weird uncle Riley for real, alone and bitter about it.
That was scary, but he wasn’t sure if it was scarier than the thought of losing Brent forever.
Even though all signs pointed to there being a chance between the two of them.
“You’re right,” Riley admitted before he’d fully come to the conclusion himself.
“I’m always right,” Mrs. Jules said. “What do you have to lose?”
Riley wet his lips.
Nothing.
He had nothing to lose. Nothing except the awkward, not entirely fulfilling relationship he had with Brent right now. If he never spoke up, he’d only ever have half of what he wanted. After long enough of that, he’d start to resent Brent for that. He’d start to resent himself.
All of which could be avoided by manning up and talking about his feelings.
“I’ll talk to him,” Riley promised. “But after lunch. I want him to feel safe if we’re gonna talk about something like this.”
Mrs. Jules sighed a soft, fondly exasperated sigh. “You care so much about him. He’d better be good to you.”
“Brent would be good to anyone,” Riley said. “He’s been more than good to me. I’d be lucky to have him.”
“And he’d be lucky to have you,” his mom pointed out. “Don’t forget that. You’re a good boy, Riley. You deserve to be happy.”
Riley nodded slowly, taking that in. He always marveled at the fact that his mom wasn’t mad at him for leaving, or staying away. That she was ready to welcome him back with open arms, that she always made enough food for him to drop in any Sunday.
If Brent would have him, Riley would be happy to come home.
