Page 97 of His Stepdad Wears Leather

They stood embracing for a full minute before she slid back some. Tears shone in her eyes. “I don’t like this idea of a relationship with Brody. But I love you enough that… if this is what you want… I accept it.” She wiped at her eyes and then his. “Good or bad, it’s your choice. And his.”

“What about Parker?”

“Brody is a good dad, better than I ever anticipated he could be. For me to imagine otherwise was wrong of me.” She let out a sob. “And I will tell him that when I get the courage to say so.”

Noah held her stare. “I want us to be okay.”

“We will,” his mother whispered. “It’ll take some time to grow accustomed to each other and this situation. But then… it’s all new, right? You’re back home… maybe not exactly in the way I imagined, but then—when does life happen according to plan?”

Geena came down the stairs and eyed them. “You two okay?”

His mother ran a hand through his hair. “I think so… I told him that it’s his choice… and I would accept that choice either way.”

Noah eyed Geena. “What about you, Mimi?”

Geena’s eyes widened. “You finally remembered my name, hmm?”

He smirked. “Hearing Parker call you that triggered a memory.”

Geena grabbed him from his mother’s arms and hugged him tight. She pressed a kiss to the side of his forehead before letting him go. “Mimi agrees with mom. It’s your call. I only hope it doesn’t cause a rift in the family if this explodes down the road.”

“I suppose you want to call Brody to come get you,” his mother said before handing him a cell phone.

“Thanks… but maybe I should stay here tonight. I can call him tomorrow.”

He handed the cell back.

His mom shook her head and waved a hand. “It’s yours. I added it to our plan so we can have a way to get in touch with you.”

“Thanks,” he murmured. “I can get a job… pay you back.”

“We owe you fourteen years of Christmas and birthday presents,” Geena said.

“No you don’t.” Noah shook his head. “I realize there was a cost. You fighting for me. I don’t want to make things any rougher than they already are.”

“No,sweetheart,” his mother said, drawing him to her side. “You don’t worry about that. None of that is your fault. Not one bit of it.” She forced his stare. “We’re okay. I promise.”

“Either way… I want to do things on my own. Dad and Abbie Lee wouldn’t let me go to college. Get a job. Do for myself. I want to do that.” He chuckled inwardly. He wanted to be independent—except in one place.

In Brody’s bed. There, he’d surrender himself.

“College sounds like a great idea,” Geena said.

“Maybe,” Noah replied. “It’s probably too late for financial aid for this coming fall, though. So maybe next spring.”

“Iama full-time employee of a university,” his mother said. “My children get free tuition.”

“Seriously?” Noah asked, stunned.

“Yep,” she replied. “Youdohave to pay for your books, fees, and labs—and board, if you ever want to live on campus. But the tuition is waived. Geena and I could help with some of that if you wanted to start in the fall.”

“But that’s in the next town over,” he said, considering his options. “I’d need a job… a car… insurance.”

“Or you could ride with mom,” Geena said. “At least in the beginning, if you needed time to get the rest together.” Geena gazed at his mother lovingly. “I’m sure mom would love the extra time spent with you on the commute.”

“I drive there every day, Monday through Thursday, even off-semester.”

“I’mdefinitelyinterested,” Noah said, excited for the prospect.

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