“So, you don’t…” I flick my eyes between Mom and Dad. “You don’t have anything you want to say, or…?”
“Oh, yes, of course.” Mom sets her fork down and reaches across the table, placing her hand over mine. “Thank you for telling us, Levi.”
I stare back at her, and Dad just claps me on the shoulder.
That’s it? I mean, I really appreciate how supportive they’re being, but I kinda expected some questions or hesitation, or… something.
Jade smirks at me across the table and shrugs one shoulder. “Honestly, I’m not surprised. I always kinda got that vibe from you.”
My gaze narrows on her. “What does that mean?”
She just shrugs again. “I don’t know.”
Keigan leans forward with an eager smile. “So, you said you were taken… by a dude?”
Every head turns towards me, and heat creeps up the back of my neck as I try not to blush.
Silas didn’t want to tell our families yet, so I’m not going to out him. And I would never put that out into the open without him here, and without him choosing it for himself.
But also, after how it all went down with Brock, I don’t even know where we stand now on anything.
“Still the same one,” I say, forcing a smile. “Curvy graphs and all.”
Keigan rolls his eyes and spears a piece of chicken with his fork, while Jade just huffs and lifts her wineglass to her lips.
I glance between my parents, as they just smile softly at me.
“So this doesn’t change anything?” I ask.
Mom’s brow furrows immediately. “Of course not. Why would it?”
Dad eyes me, then crosses his arms on the table. “Is there a reason you’re telling us now?”
I let that question sit for a moment as I try to understand why I chose to blurt that out right now.
And I think it was for a few reasons. And not only to finally get it off my chest and subconsciously ease any doubts that my family may not be ok with it.
But also… to take our power back.
Redwave flashes through my mind, and a swirl of emotions rolls through me.
Life stripped our power away from us. And together, we’ve been fighting to take it back, piece by piece, and end the destruction and pain.
But our hearts were never taken from us. I always had Silas’s, and he always had mine. From the day we met.
And nothing can ever change that. Ever.
Together, we can walk right into the fire and come out stronger.
My love for him has only grown, and now I know, without a doubt, I aminlove with him. And I will do everything I can to prove to him that I will protect him, fight for him, and always, always turn on the light.
I nod and pull in a breath. “Yeah. But...” I shrug. “I need a bit more time with that reason.”
Dad nods slowly as he observes me for a moment. Then he reaches out and squeezes my shoulder. “We’re always here for you, Levi.”
I smile at him and at the rest of my family around the table. I know that once they find out it’s Silas who has my heart, they’ll still be here. They’ll love us just the same.
And I’ll be standing right next to him as we walk through the fire together. Whenever he’s ready.
