Page 74 of Loving You

“I made a little floor nest for us,” Monty said. “We don’t have to use it, but I thought…well, if maybe you didn’t want to be alone right now, we could camp out. I don’t know that I’m going to get much sleep, and…I mean, I know it’s a silly idea, but?—”

“Describe it,” Lucas demanded.

Bronx did. “There’s several blankets on the floor and a ton of pillows. It’s up against the couch, so you can sit up if you want. It’s in front of the TV, and we can put on a movie if you want some background noise. It’s big enough for at least six people, so you can have your space.”

Lucas swallowed heavily, then nodded. “Is it obvious?”

“That you needed this?” Monty asked. He stood up and touched Lucas’s hand, offering his arm to lead him over. “No. That’s why I second-guessed myself. ButIwould have needed it. I do need it.”

Lucas let out a trembling breath as his foot touched the edge of the blanket. He dropped down and felt around him before settling on the right side. He tucked a pillow close to him, then turned his face to his dad. “My blanket?”

“Let me grab it,” Bronx said quietly. He turned and walked back to the car to get the supplies as Monty hovered awkwardly to the side.

“Will you sit with me?” Lucas asked.

Monty quickly dropped down, keeping space between them. “I’m sorry you went through that.”

“Did you mean what you said?” Lucas asked. “The…adoption thing. I’ll probably be eighteen by the time you and Dad figure out your whole future or whatever.”

“I meant it,” Monty said. “I want to get to know you better. I want you to feel comfortable with me, but I like you, Lucas. If I could have ever raised a son of my own, I would want him to be exactly like you.”

“No eyes and everything?” Monty could tell Lucas was only half-teasing.

“I don’t think that would matter to me. As long as my kid was happy. I didn’t mean to overstep though. This is all very soon.”

“Yeah, but Gage said something to me the other day. When you know, you know. It sounded like bullshit, but when I was in trouble and I wanted my dad, I wanted you too. I think that means something. I like having you around. Maybe I’m just a traumatized kid with abandonment issues though.”

Monty chuckled. “Yeah. Maybe. But that doesn’t change the fact that I want you around. If your dad and I move forward, my home is your home, okay? And even if we have split places for a while, there’s room for you here. I have a room for you. We can shop—you can decorate it. You can help me put bump dots all over the kitchen and organize it the way you know so you’re never lost.”

“Can you stop?” Lucas’s voice was tight. “I mean, thank you. But I’m…that’s…I need a minute.”

Bronx came in right then with two big duffle bags and a blanket slung over his arm. He was holding a giant koala as well, and he laid that on top of Luca’s chest before draping the blanket over him.

“They’re both weighted,” Bronx explained.

“I’ve slept with this since I was a baby,” Lucas added. He snuggled in deep. “I think I’m probably going to stress sleep for a long time. I’m totally fine if you two want a bed though. I know how the floor is on old man back.”

“You’re pushing it,” Bronx said, but he was grinning. He dropped down between Lucas and Monty and leaned over, kissing his son’s temple. “I think I need to stay close right now. If you’re not too old for cuddles with your dad.”

Lucas hummed softly and rolled close to his dad. “I don’t think I’m too old yet. Maybe in ten years. Check back then.”

Bronx reached behind him and pulled Monty up against his back. Monty curled up tight and yanked the top blanket over them both. The night had been a lot—too much, if he was being honest. And it was so damn soon, but somehow, against all odds, this felt like family.

And that was something he would give life and limb to protect. No questions asked.

Chapter Nineteen

BRONX

“I remember this feeling,”Dallas said, cornering Bronx in the kitchen. “Just breathe. Everyone already loves him.”

Bronx let out a long breath and hunched his shoulders. “I know. It’s not that.”

Dallas frowned, leaning back against the counter with his arms crossed. “So what is it?”

Bronx didn’t know how to tell his brother that up until the night Jules broke into the house, he hadn’t been a hundred percent convinced that everyone liked him. That he wasn’t just Dallas’s weird older brother with pity invites to single dad meet-ups. He’d turned down more than half the invites because he couldn’t handle the thought that they were inviting him to be inclusive.

Not because they actually liked him.

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