Page 26 of Just a Little in Love

“Well of course not. You’re barely twenty-one, Rowan; it’s not wrong to not know what you want to do. Why don’t you take some time? Give yourself a break?” Rowan beamed happily. Daddy even took his hand to cross the road and didn’t even let it go when they got to the door and they stepped inside.

“Rowan?”

Rowan turned, still with a smile on his face, because it hadn’t registered that the voice wasn’t Charlie’s, and looked right into the shocked eyes of Mrs. Edwards. He nearly yanked his hand out of Daddy’s grip, but it was too late and he saw her eyes narrow and her lips tighten in disapproval.

She took a step forward and Rowan couldn’t help it, he stepped back right into the warm chest behind him. Mrs. Edwards had never been cruel, she just did exactly what Mother always instructed.

“I received a visit from the police,” she hissed out like it was Rowan’s fault. “I do hope you’ve spoken to them and dismissed all this nonsense.” She glared over his shoulder. “I think you should come home with me. You know it’s what your mother would wish.” She even closed her hand on Rowan’s arm like she was going to drag him away. And then before Rowan even had a chance to blink, Daddy was in front of him and holding his hand out to shake Mrs. Edwards’ and introduce himself, which meant she had to let go of Rowan, and from out of nowhere Charlie appeared and put an arm around Rowan and steered him to their table.

Rowan was in a seat before he knew it, and Charlie was holding his cold, shaking hands, but Rowan couldn’t hear what Charlie was saying because of the noise in his head and the pain in his chest. Maybe he would have a heart attack and just die? He had been about to have a nice lunch with his friends. Daddy had brought him. He’d held his hand, but then Mrs. Edwards had seen, and everything seemed spoiled and dirty now. Just like Mother always said. Mother had said a lot of things about Rowan being dirty. Maybe she was right.

Maybe Daddy would realize Rowan was spoiled and dirty as well. And then he wouldn’t want to hold Rowan’s hand, or have any more first days, or eat chocolate chip pancakes. Rowan curled up as much as his stupid, fat body would allow, closed his eyes, and pretended he wasn’t here. Maybe if he tried really hard, it would come true.

Chapter thirteen

Gabriel was ready to kill someone. He didn’t know how the fuck the poisonous witch still had her claws in his boy, but…

His boy?

Gabriel froze. Charlie had taken Rowan away and the stupid cow of a woman had taken her BS and gone, but Gabriel seemed to be hovering between something that felt terrifying and just right at the same time.

“Gabriel?”

He glanced up at Patrick. “Where’s—”

“Charlie has him.” Gabriel took a step, but Patrick’s hand clamped around his arm. “We can take him back to your place, but I think he needs Charlie and I think you need me.” Patrick added the last few words kindly and Gabriel took a steadying breath. He walked to the back where the booths were and saw a shaking Rowan sitting next to Charlie. Charlie immediately moved opposite, so Gabriel could sit down. He pulled Rowan into him, and Rowan burrowed his head against Gabriel’s jacket and clung. Gabriel took a few easier breaths.

“I’m happy to go home. We can take our lunch with us.”

Rowan didn’t answer for a long time, so long that Gabriel thought he might not, and he shot a worried look at Patrick.

“When you say home,” Rowan whispered. “Where—”

“I mean with me,” Gabriel said definitively and brushed a kiss on Rowan’s head. “I mean with me unless you want to call your dad. That’s always an option.”

Rowan raised his very pale face. “I’m so much trouble.”

Gabriel’s heart ached, so much that he was tempted to rub his chest, but his arms were full, and he wasn’t letting go. “Then I think we’ll go home, and you get back into your pj’s and eat lunch, and you can show Charlie how good your coloring is and see if he wants to play. Maybe meet Bear and Frog.”

Gabriel glanced at Patrick, but he was already standing up. “We’ll grab the lunch and see you soon.”

Gabriel carefully steered Rowan outside and to the car, keeping an eye out in case that awful woman was still around, but he got Rowan buckled in and it didn’t take long until they were home.

“I’m sorry,” Rowan said as they went inside, so quietly Gabriel barely heard him. Rowan carefully slipped off his sneakers, and Gabriel put them next to his.

“The way other people behave isn’t your fault, Rowan. Who is she? A friend of your mother’s?”

“She was our neighbor and she often watched me when Mother had to go out some evenings.”

Gabriel didn't comment as Rowan sounded almost ashamed, simply led him to the bedroom and reached for his sweater.

“No,” Rowan almost wailed and stepped back. Gabriel froze. He’d helped Rowan earlier, but he understood. Rowan had the right to change his mind at any point.

“Of course,” Gabriel said and took a step back to make sure Rowan didn’t feel threatened. “Would you like some chocolate milk or some juice?”

Rowan stared at him, his lower lip wobbled once, then he burst into tears. Gabriel’s immediate reaction was to reach for him, but he managed to stop himself. He carefully opened his arms. “Can I?” Rowan couldn’t get any words out, but he launched himself so hard at Gabriel that Gabriel had to put a foot out to steady himself. He held Rowan while Rowan cried and shook, then gently steered him to sit down on the bed.

“It’s okay,” Gabriel murmured. “You don’t have to do any of this on your own. I’m here. Charlie is.” He paused. “Charlie will be here soon if you prefer he help you to get changed.”

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