Page 79 of It's Complicated

“He actually thought I’d try to seduce her. Like I could ever be attracted to a woman who fucked my dad.” He shuddered. “Whatever,” he repeated. “I don’t need them. I only need you.”

“You’ve got me, Z.”

He drew in a deep breath and pulled his face from my neck. “Today started out great, but goddamn, I feel like someone pulled the rug out from under me. I always knew my dad didn’t give a shit about me, but it still hurts that he’s so willing to cut me off for a woman he’s known for less than a year. It shouldn’t. I know what kind of person he is, but it does.” He let out a bitter laugh. “My parents suck. I’ve known that since I was a kid, but they’re still my parents. They’re the only family I have, even ifthey never acted like it. What does it say about me that they don’t just not love me, but they don’t even like me?”

“It doesn’t say anything about you,” I said firmly. “They’rethe problem. They’vealwaysbeen the problem. You’re the most amazing person I’ve ever known, and they don’t deserve to call themselves your parents after everything they’ve done to you. They don’t deserve to have you in their lives.”

He sighed heavily. “I always figured I’d go no contact with them one day, but I wasn’t ready for it to be now. I wasn’t prepared for today to be the last time I ever talked to my dad.”

“I know.” I pressed my lips against his temple. “I hate that I wasn’t there.”

“It’s okay. The drive gave me a chance to think about a lot of stuff from the past. Things I either repressed or pretended weren’t a big deal when they were. I made so many excuses for them because I didn’t have anyone else. I let so much shit slide because it was easier than pushing back. But all I did was give them permission to keep treating me like crap.”

“It’s a lot to process. A lot to deal with when you weren’t ready for it.”

“I definitely wasn’t ready for any of it.”

“Do you want to sit down?” We were still standing in front of the door. I didn’t mind. I’d hold him as long as he needed me to.

“I think I need to take a shower. I feel gross after that conversation.” He nuzzled my neck.

“Do you want some company?” I asked before I could think about how that sounded.

“Yeah.” He gave me a tight squeeze, then let go and stepped back. “That would be nice.”

“Come on.” I took his hand and led him into the bathroom. “I’ve got you.”

Once the door was closed behind us, I flipped on the overhead fan. Isaac let me move him so he stood in the middle of the space, his eyes shining with trust.

Leaning forward, I kissed him. Not a long kiss, just a soft one to help him feel less alone.

He kissed me back, a smile on his lips when I pulled back.

Silently, I turned the water on. While we waited for it to warm up, I turned back to Isaac.

He’d undone the top two buttons on his shirt but was otherwise still dressed.

“Can I help you with that?” I asked softly, coming to stand in front of him again.

He nodded and dropped his hands.

As gently as possible, I slipped the next button free.

Isaac watched me, his expression a heartbreaking mix of defeated and lost, as I moved down the line of buttons on his shirt, undoing them until the last one fell free.

I pushed the shirt over his shoulders, then tugged it over his hands, letting it flutter to the floor.

Slowly, I knelt in front of him so I could undo his shoes and help him pull them and his socks off.

“Jamie,” he whispered.

“I’ve got you, Z,” I assured him, looking up as I tossed his socks aside. “Just let me take care of you.”

He nodded, his expression softening.

Standing, I undid his pants and pushed them and his underwear over his hips so they puddled on the floor around his ankles.

Isaac stepped out of them, and I took a moment to yank off my tee and shuck off my sweats.

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