Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“I think you’re right.” Damn, Reese was an insightful kid.
“Do you ever miss him? Or us when we were a family?”
Those questions made his gut twist up. He wasn’t sure how to answer them, so this time, it was August who took a moment to sort out his thoughts. “In some ways, of course. I wanted our family to stay together, and we had a lot of good times, but I’m not in love with your pop, and he’s not in love with me. I really do think it’s for the best. Even though it’s hard sometimes, I think it’s healthier for all of us.”
Again, Reese nodded, then looked over at him. “Are you in love with Clint?” he asked, and August was pretty sure his heart had somehow jumped out of his chest and was flip-flopping on the bottom of the boat. Reese chuckled. “I’m not stupid, Dad. I see the way you look at him. I hear it in your voice when you talk about him. And God, the way he watches you is like, way over-the-top.”
Foolishly, August almost asked, He watches me? But he managed to reel it in. “I care about Clint, a lot. Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”
“You guys are different together than you and Pop are—or were. Like, you’re more similar? I don’t know. It’s kinda like no one else is in the room when you’re together.”
“Hey, no. Am I making you feel like you’re not the most important thing to me?” His voice trembled. Christ, he would never forgive himself if he made Reese feel that way.
“I didn’t mean it like that. I just see it. I’d have to be blind not to see it—how you feel about each other.”
“And what do you think about that?” The words nearly stuck in August’s mouth, like if he didn’t say them, that meant Reese was happy he and Clint were together and nothing would go wrong.
“I don’t know… I like Clint, and I know you love me, but it’s like, first Pop and Zachary, and now you and Clint. Everything is changing so much. Sometimes I wish things could go back to the way they used to be, when we all lived together, but then I feel bad because I know y’all weren’t happy. And Pop didn’t spend as much time with me when he got boyfriends, and what if—”
“No. Absolutely not. That would never happen. I care about Clint, and I won’t lie to you, I do want to be with him, but I would never, ever pull away from you or spend less time with you or not want you around because I’m with Clint. And Clint would never expect that either. He loves hanging out with you.” Zachary was different than Clint. He was younger, and while neither of them had kids, Clint was settled. Zachary liked that faster lifestyle. Liked traveling and going out. He wanted to climb the corporate ladder and make a name for himself, same as Lewis.
“Okay.”
“I’m serious, Reese. You don’t have anything to worry about. You’re my whole world. Don’t you know that?” August reached over and ruffled his hair.
“I know. I love you.”
“Our hearts can hold a whole lot of love, an infinite amount, so Clint finding his spot in there will do nothing to change how much space there is for you. And if you ever feel that way, I want you to tell me, and we’ll fix it. But you will always come first. You’re my dream come true.” He pulled Reese into a hug and kissed the top of his head.
“Can’t. Breathe. Dad,” he teased, making August chuckle and loosen his grip.
“I love you, kid. More than you’ll ever know.”
Reese smiled, just as his pole tugged. Eyes wide, he grabbed it from its holder as the line pulled and the pole bent again. “Dad, help. I think it’s a big one!”
“You got it. Pull just a little—not too much. We don’t want the line to snap. Reel it in slowly.”
He talked Reese through it, and before they knew it, he’d pulled a huge fish out of the water. They looked at it, reveled in it for a second before Reese asked, “Can I let it go? I don’t want it to die.”
August put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “Man after my own heart.”
They set the fish free, watching as if they could see it swimming beneath the water.
“I’m glad we’re here,” Reese said.
“I’m glad we are too.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Clint
Clint decided he wanted to take August on a date. Sure, they ate at Adaline’s once a week when Reese was at his art class, but he didn’t consider that a date—not really. He wanted to do that with August, wanted to hold his hand in public and do all those things he’d never really thought mattered all that much, likely because they hadn’t to him. He’d never thought of their importance. It was just something you did when you took someone out, when you were dating them, but he and August hadn’t been a couple in public. They hadn’t been a couple even around people they knew.