Page 120 of Here and Now
“We’ll see how he takes it. I promise we’ll go as slow as he needs.”
I roll my eyes because the reality is, we know he’s going to be over the moon. He loves Miles and thinks he’s the coolest guy ever. Theywent ice-skating yesterday with Ethan because Miles said he missed having pucks hit at his balls.
“Kai is going to be elated, and I’m going to have to rein his eagerness in to have you here all the time,” I say with exasperation. “He thinks you’resoooooamazing. He’s probably going to ask you to move in!”
Maybe that’s what I’m really worried about. That Kai’s attachment will be a heartbreak I’ve managed to keep him from until now. There hasn’t been anyone who has been a good male role model, other than my brother, in his life.
Miles is the first.
“I’d rather you guys move in with me,” he jokes. At least I hope he is.
Not wanting to risk saying something stupid, I turn and look out the window.
“Hey,” Miles says as he wraps his arms around my shoulders, pulling me against his chest. “What are you truly worried about?”
I sigh, looking up at him. “I don’t want anyone to be hurt, that’s all.”
He kisses my nose. “Then we make sure no one does. If this doesn’t work out, we’ll be civil and I’ll never treat Kai differently.”
“And that’s why, even as nervous as I am, I’m ready to tell him. Plus, I really worry he’s going to see your truck one morning and we’re going to have to explain then. At least this is on our terms.”
Sometimes he leaves when it’s still dark. Other times we fall asleep and are woken by the alarm, and then he’s sneaking out the window or hiding in my closet until we leave for the day. It’s really becoming difficult since I want him to stay. I’m the one who moans and grumbles when he gets out of bed.
Miles squeezes me tight. “I’ll follow your lead. If you want to tell him and it feels right, we will. If not, we wait.”
Going public is a big step, but telling Kai and our friends feels like it’s the right thing. Especially since it’s becoming sort of obvious. We have his tournament in a few hours, so it’ll be like ripping the Band-Aid off, that’s for sure.
Eloise’s car pulls up and Kai rushes out, waving to them as he heads toward the door.
Here we go.
“Mom!” Kai yells as he bursts inside.
“Hi, babe. How was school and hanging out at Ethan’s?”
“It was great. I got to help the teacher, and then at lunch, we played freeze tag.”
I smile. “That’s great.”
Miles comes around. “Hey, little man!”
“Coach Miles!” He rushes to him, and Miles gives him a hug.
“Glad you had fun today. Freeze tag was my favorite,” Miles tells him.
“Is Coach staying for dinner?”
I straighten myself, preparing to try to remember the speech I planned. “We’re going to have dinner and then go to Miles’s tournament today, but first, we’d like to ask you a few questions.”
“Okay,” he says hesitantly.
Miles breaks the tension by lifting him up and carrying him sideways. Kai laughs and then Miles tosses him on the couch.
“All right, we have questions, or your mother does.”
I exhale. “Would you be cool if Miles spent some more time with us?”
“Duh, Mom.”
