Page 104 of Addicted

Owen shrugged. “I only care about Michael. I don’t wish Sharon ill. I don’t wish her anything at all. I just want her out of our lives for good.”

“I admit, I wish her a little ill,” Liam grumbled.

“My fierce protector.” Placing his beer on the table, Owen reached for Liam’s hand, giving the back of it a quick kiss. “I’m still reeling. I was prepared to never hear from Michael again and tonight I got to talk to him for over an hour.”

Leaning in, Liam pecked Owen’s lips. “I can’t tell you how happy I am for you. This is amazing! You’re going to get to see him, right?”

“I am. Very soon. Gloria is a few hours north and she’s going to call back tomorrow with their travel plans.” Owen let out a deep breath, his expression full of hesitant joy. “This is happening so fast. I haven’t figured out what to tell him.”

“About?” Liam scooted closer, into Owen’s space, and smoothed his hair back.

“About us.”

“Ah.” Grabbing a golden strand, Liam twisted it between his fingers, enjoying how soft it was. “You tell him the truth. Children respect the truth. And Sharon’s been so terrible that he needs to trust someone. How much does he know?”

“A lot.” Owen pursed his lips. “Sharon told him I’m gay. She blamed the divorce on that.”

Releasing the strand, Liam mirrored Owen’s expression, his disgust for Sharon was never-ending. “I’m sure she left out the part where she cheated.”

“She did, but Michael also knows that I’m not his biological father. And he’s a smart kid so I’m sure he’s put two and two together.”

“She told him that too?”

“Yes. It was one of her many attempts to get him to stop causing trouble, to quit asking to see me. He didn’t believe her at first but she showed him the test results from the divorce hearing.”

“She’s a piece of work.” Liam didn’t want to tell Owen that he’d fibbed. He didn’t wish Sharon a little ill, he wished hera lot,like, pianos dropping on her head levels of ill. “So, what does he think about it?”

“That he doesn’t care what the tests say. I’ll always be his dad.” Owen blinked rapidly, fighting back tears.

Reaching up, Liam stroked Owen’s cheekbone with the tips of his fingers. “That’s wonderful. Mikey is such a good kid.”

“He is.” Owen sniffled, leaning into Liam’s touch.

“What about Mikey’s biological father? Wouldn’t Sharon have to find him to sign over custody?”

“Have you been studying law already?” Owen grinned at Liam, not at all perturbed by his questions.

“I might be doing some reading.”

“According to Gloria, Sharon hired someone to track him down but it turns out that he passed away years ago. Didn’t have much family. So, it was easy for Sharon to give custody to her.”

“What is Gloria like?” Liam continued to stroke Owen’s face, his touch drifting down over Owen’s jaw and neck. “I mean, she put you back in contact with Michael so I already love her.”

“She is the opposite of Sharon in every way. It’s hard to believe they’re even mother and daughter.” Owen reached for Liam’s hand again, holding it between both of his own.

“When was the last time you saw her?”

“A few years after Michael was born. They didn’t get along. Sharon thought her mother was a busybody and - in her words - too nice. But I’ve always liked her.”

“Too nice?Who thinks their mom is too nice?“ Liam raised an eyebrow. “What about Sharon’s father?”

“He died while Sharon was in high school. Gloria raised her and her younger brothers alone.” Owen stopped, looking down at their joined hands and Liam could feel something big looming. When Owen looked back up his gaze was guarded, his shoulders tensing. “And she doesn’t want to do it again with Michael. She loves him but she’s in her seventies and he’s a bit much for her.”

It took a moment for what Owen said to sink in.

“Wait.” Liam blinked. “Are you saying that she wants to give Michael back to you?”

Owen nodded, biting his lip. “Yes. Officially she’ll still have custody but he’s going to live with me. With us? Full time.”

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