Pa hesitated.
I had him.
Finally, he sighed. “I didn’t plan on destroying Luke’s life. I was protecting him.”
“He was a job,” I said with a shrug. “I don’t want to fight with you about this. I love Ren. Oli loves him. We’re together, all of us. You’ve always treated me with respect, and I’d appreciate if you continued to trust my judgment.”
Pa’s lips pursed. “You can find a better boyfriend than Renshaw. You and Oli deserve the best.”
What if the bestwasRen and Oli? What if the three of us completed each other? I wasn’t sure if Pa would believe it if I told him that. “There’s no such thing. We’re human. We all have our issues. But despite looking like an asshole to you and Luke, Ren cares about us. He has our back. After they released me from the hospital, he made me go to work with him so he could keep an eye on me. He’s been trying to help me with my diet. He wants me.... He wants me to see a dietician and a therapist. So do the coaches and Hawthorn.”
Pa paused, and I waited, wondering if he was trying to reconcile the fact that Ren actually loved me. Finally, he nodded. “I know some good therapists who can help.”
“No, Pa?—”
“Kristofer Colt.”
I winced at the full name. Fucking hell. “I’m not sick. It was a mistake. Mi-stake. As in, not something I did on purpose and not something I’ll do again.”
Pa’s shoulders relaxed and he laid a hand on my arm, eyes glittering in sympathy. “Mistakes are lessons. What you did wasn’t healthy. And if it was a mistake, you wouldn’t still be talking about getting bigger. Your thought patterns aren’t heading in the right direction.” He grabbed my hand and squeezed my fingers. “As painful as it is for me to admit this, Renshaw is right. You need a therapist and a dietician. I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that I was hurt by you not telling me about the hospital. You’ve never hidden anything from me.”
“It wasn’t about you. I was embarrassed.” My cheeks heated. “I fucked up.”
“Wasn’t it you who just said humans aren’t flawless? Believe it or not, I didn’t get you off an alien ship. You’re flesh and blood like the rest of us.”
I chuckled and ducked my head when Pa grinned widely. “And here I thought I came from Mars.”
“No chance.” He stroked a thumb over my cheek. “You’re my son. Let me help. All of us, we can be here for you.”
After what felt like twenty minutes, but was a few seconds, I forced a nod while ignoring the lump that formed in my throat. Was there really something wrong with me? I’d fucked up. I’d drunk too many protein smoothies and I’d dehydrated my body and hurt my kidneys. I’d learned from my mistake. I wouldn’t do it again. It shouldn’t be a problem anymore.
My attention darted to the pantry where I knew I had protein powder stashed, the same stuff that had gotten me into this situation in the first place. My fingers itched with an urge I couldn’t begin to explain other than Ineededto pack on more muscle. When I wasn’t with Ren and Oli or at classes or atfootball practice, I was in the gym, pushing myself to the limit. What else could I do to make the bulk happen quicker?
My phone buzzed and I grabbed it out of my pocket.
Pa kissed my forehead. “Think about it. I’ll leave you alone. Go tell Oli I didn’t kill you.”
I snorted at his joke as he left the table and headed up the stairs, probably toward his room. Checking my phone, my lips twitched when I saw Ren’s name, even though I was still pissed at him for not chasing after Oli.
Inked God Ren
I’m coming to take you and kitten to classes tomorrow morning, Kansas. No arguments. I need to talk to you both.
I frowned at the nickname. What the fuck? He’d never called me that.
KC
Kansas?
Inked God Ren
yeah, thought kitten had a nn, so you needed one too. KC, like Kansas City. Kansas. My brain is fucking awesome.
KC
I’m not from Kansas. It makes no sense. You could call me K or something.
Inked God Ren
