Page 84 of Finding You

Dallas snorted and knocked their foreheads together. “If it gets bad, we will. But let’s give them a chance. I’m not going anywhere.”

Kylen couldn’t say he felt strength from those words, but he did feel something like courage. He brushed off the weight of everyone’s stare, and together, they went into their cabin…where he stopped dead. Kylen’s place had always had one full-size bed and one twin. Now, there were two twins and a cot.

He knew this was his mother’s doing.

“I’m going to kill her.”

Dallas slid up behind him and pressed his chest to Kylen’s back. “What? Why?”

“My usual bed is gone. She put small beds here on purpose.”

Dallas snorted and then spun Kylen with both hands so he could look into his eyes. “Fun fact—two twins together actually make a king, so she did us a favor. We can move that nightstand and make a nice cozy nest for us.”

“You were a Boy Scout, weren’t you?” Kylen asked.

Dallas just grinned, kissed him swiftly, then got to work. They used an oversized wool blanket to tuck around the edges to keep the beds from separating, then laid down two flat sheets before arranging the comforter.

It wasn’t ideal, but it was the best they could do.

And it was worth it when Kylen glanced over at the half-open door to see his mother standing there, her face even more drawn than before. Kylen straightened and dragged a hand over Dallas’s back before addressing her.

“Mother.”

“You know how they feel about rearranging furniture,” she said, her voice tense.

Kylen grimaced, failing in his attempt at a smile. “Yeah? How do they feel about people calling in and requesting a bed change?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

Kylen fought back a laugh. “Right, sure. Anyway, Mom, this is Dallas Reed. My boyfriend.” He took no small pleasure in watching her try to hold back a flinch. “Dallas, this is my mom.”

“Mrs. Harrell,” Dallas said, extending her hand.

She didn’t take it. She gave him a slow up and down, and Dallas pulled away from her with a grace that turned Kylen on. Wildly. He flowed with each moment like he was water and the world was nothing more than the smoothest riverbed.

“You can call me Sharon.”

“Sharon,” Dallas said, his smile bright. “It’s really nice to meet you. Thank you for inviting me.”

“Oh. That was all down to my son,” she said tightly.

Dallas winked at Kylen. “Well, don’t worry. I’ve already thanked him plenty.”

Kylen almost choked on his own tongue. He felt his cheeks heat as he stepped closer to Dallas, and his body went lax with a wave of relief when his lover took his hand gently and squeezed it. “Is there something you wanted?” he asked his mom after he’d regained his composure.

“Flora.”

“That’s my daughter, yes,” Kylen answered with a touch of sarcasm.

His mom rolled her eyes. “She’s asking to stay with us. I thought it might be better since you two are clearly sharing a bed?—”

“Like you and Dad do?” Kylen snapped. “Or are you trying to imply something?”

She paled a little. “Of course not. Don’t make a scene.”

“There’s no one here,” Kylen began, but he stopped when Dallas squeezed his fingers. His breath trembled in his chest, but he managed a long, slow inhale and exhale. “Flora’s been waiting to see you for a while. She’s more than welcome to stay wherever she wants.”

His mom gave them another hard look, then turned on her heel and left. Kylen’s chest felt tight, and he cleared his throat, letting out something between a laugh and a sob when Dallas pulled him close and wrapped both arms around him.

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