Page 63 of Love Without Demands

“Nope. Just ran home at lunch to change shoes. Tony’s got me running around this afternoon, and I needed some flats. Dinner tonight?”

“I’ll make burgers.”

“Goody. I love your burgers,” she said, unfolding herself from the couch and rising onto her tiptoes to press a kiss to my cheek. “See you tonight.”

And she was gone, leaving behind the scent of summer and the sweetness of her kiss against my face. I loved how affectionate Lehra had gotten with me. It’s the only thing that kept me going.

We ate dinner together several nights a week, and then we’d watch a movie with her snuggled into my side. We’d grown so close, almost like a real couple, minus the sex.

God, how I wanted us to go there. I craved her kisses like I craved my next breath. And not for the first time, I wondered if she would be into the same sexual things I was. She had been pretty adventurous that night in the hot tub, riding my lap in public where anyone could walk in and catch us.

Soooo… maybe?

Pushing those thoughts away, I dialed Paul and was relieved when he answered after the first ring.

“Cruz, hey.”

I heard the smile in his voice, even through those two short syllables.

“Hey, Paul. I heard about your… about Chloe, and I just wanted to check on you.”

“That was nice of you, but I’m doing okay. Just trying to sort through my feelings. I’ve despised her for so long, but I can’t bring myself to be happy she’s dead.” A sigh ran down the phone line, and his struggle was evident.

“I understand, but I think it’s okay to feel a little relieved that the person who’s been blackmailing you is no longer able to do so.”

“I think you summed up exactly what I’m feeling. I no longer have all this shit hanging over my head, and I feel… I don’t know… free or something.”

“That’s valid.”

There was a short pause. “After the funeral, I’m going to tell your brothers about the things their mother did. I think they have a right to know.”

It no longer struck me as weird when he called Auburn and Monty my brothers. The word sounded almost natural to my ears now.

“How deep are you going to go?”

“I actually wanted to talk to you about that. Would you like for me to tell them about you?”

Massaging my forehead with my fingertips, I closed my eyes and contemplated the question. “I’m not sure, Paul. Monty is coming home for the first time in over a decade, and you’re already hitting him with a lot.”

“A whole fucking lot,” he said with a humorless chuckle.

“I mean, you’ve got blackmail, threats, and the fact that their mother was trying to steal the company from Auburn. To also throw in, ‘And hey, guess what? You also have an illegitimate brother. Welcome home, Monty.’ That might be too much right now.”

“Cruz,” he sighed, “you know I don’t think of you like that. You’re just as much my son as Auburn and Monty. Maybe you’re right about waiting to tell them that part though. It’s going to be overwhelming enough.”

“I agree.”

“Are you worried they won’t accept you?”

I chewed on my bottom lip and nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “A little bit.”

“Son, I don’t think you have to worry about that. You’re a good man, and I believe they’ll be happy once the shock has worn off.”

“Thanks, Paul,” I told him my chest tightening at his words.

“I’ve gotta run. I need to get down to the funeral home.”

My brow scrunched, knowing Auburn was out of town and Monty wasn’t home yet. “Do you need me to go with you?”

---