Page 36 of Strike A Chord

Where did I begin?

“You guys hardly know me yet you’re so nice. You’ve invited me to live in your home, feed me. I’m just not used to it, and I keep waiting for the inevitable you’re worthless, get the hell out to come.” That was the highlight reel of a long list but I’d shared enough.

“Oh, honey,” Becky squeezed my hand. “My boy is in love with you, and he’s never given his heart before. Reagan trusts you, and so do I. And unless you do something to lose that trust, it will always be there. You’re important to my boy which makes you important to me.”

Never in my life had I met anyone as genuine as Becky and Reagan. Truly selfless humans and up until my path crossed theirs, I’d all but given up on humanity. Hell, I’d nearly given up on life itself then everything changed with what I’d already determined would be my final audition.

Was it possible the gods finally gave this battered and beaten pessimist of a man a break? It sure would be nice to know that bastard that fathered me was wrong and that I could be loved.

“So,” Reagan waited until I lifted my head and our gazes met. “You in? Ready to be a part of the Mills Family?”

“More than you know.”

Reagan cupped my face. “I love you, Josh, and I’m here for you however you need me to be.”

“We both are,” Becky added.

“I love you, too.” Reagan kissed me in front of his mother with zero resilience or fear of how she’d react.

Family.

I finally had one of my own.

“Now, who’s cooking breakfast?” Becky asked and broke the spell with her silliness.

“That’s our cue, Rockstar.”

Seems I had a new nickname and I had to admit, it felt pretty fucking awesome to hear. “Show me what to do. I can learn.”

“And learn you will, my young Padawan.” I loved how Reagan had the ability to pull me out of a funk with something as simple as a reference from one of my favorite movies. Together we managed not to burn the scrambled eggs, thanks to Reagan. I was on toast duty. The bacon was a perfect mix of crispy and soft. Again, no thanks to me, but I did help plate the food. Then as a family, we sat down to breakfast. So many firsts for me this morning so I decided to restart and consider today the first day of the rest of my life. No more meh, just another day for me mentality. I planned to make the most of every day from here on out with Reagan by my side.

After breakfast, Becky went into the office to start her workday while we cleaned up. “Um, when do you want me to start bringing my stuff over?”

Reagan reached into his pocket, pulled out a key and handed it to me. “How’s tonight sound? If you’ve got nothing going on you can do it while I’m working, or we can do it together when I get off?”

I knew Reagan didn’t want me staying at the apartment anymore. While I wasn’t totally bothered with being there, hell, I’d lived in worse places as a kid, I was ready to start our new life. “Together.”

“Together it is then. See you at the bar later?”

“Yup.” With a tender kiss goodbye, we were off to start our days.

I stopped off on the way home and bought boxes and tape. Only a handful of items in the kitchen were mine, then I had my clothes, cords, pedals. A few oddball items and once they were packed and the boxes stacked in the living room, I started the cleaning process. I’d shot off an email to the landlord to let him know I was out at the end of the month. With the music playing and occasional air guitar moments, I lost track of time. It was when my stomach growled, I finally glanced at my phone and saw the time and a text from Reagan.

Reagan: Want me to bring food with me after work?

Me: Nah, I’ll be up in a few.

Reagan: Sweet, see you then.

I loaded up as much in my car as would fit in case the looky-loos that saw me bring the boxes in decided to poke around. Plus, it would be faster to load the rest in Reagan’s car when we got back and got the fuck out of here. A shower could wait. Food first and to see my man. How quickly my life had changed for the better and I’d never been happier.

“Hey, handsome,” Reagan greeted me with a quick kiss. “Bar is hopping for a Monday.”

“No kidding.” Nearly every seat had an ass on it. “Where do you want me?”

He brought a stool around from behind the bar and set it next to the opening he popped in and out of. “Right here.” With another quick press of lips, he got back to work. Seconds later, I had a drink in front of me.

“You spoil me. Better watch it, I might get used to this.” I winked as I took a sip.

---