Page 78 of The Disputed Legacy
“Having a brother is like having a built-in best friend and pain in the ass at once.”
He laughed as I explained more about what brothers could do, noting on some of the mischief that my brothers and I had gotten up to. I touched on losses, like losing my grandfather. I didn’t dare say anything about my mother. While everything I said excluded any names, of course, I tried to answer him the best I could. Most of my reply centered around my childhood with my brothers, thinking that would be most relative to Oscar because of his age, but I concluded with a comment that eventhough we were all adults now, I would always be close with my siblings.
“I wish I had a brother or sister,” he admitted.
I almost could’ve predicted those exact words coming out of his mouth. I could read him that well already.
“No siblings?” I asked.
He shook his head. “It’s always just been me and my mom.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to ask about his dad. The source of the other half of his DNA. I could. We bonded, just talking out here. Two guys getting along and learning more about each other. But I didn’t. I couldn’t. It would still feel like I was prying, like I was using him for intel about Willow, intel that I wanted her to give me of her own accord.
If he were to tell me about his father, I would listen, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask.
“I’ve been worrying about that lately. Or I used to,” he admitted.
“About what?”
“About it just being me and Mom.” He tipped his head toward the right. “Mr. and Mrs. Sonora argue a lot, but they’re in love. They always got each other. Even on Wednesdays when they watch me, they fight and stuff, but they never stay mad. I think my mom’s got to miss that.” He shrugged, as if to downplay his concerns.
“But that was before.”
“Before?” I asked as I took our plates and stacked them.
“Yeah, before you.”
Ah, fuck.My heart thumped faster as it clicked. Before me? As in I was the reason he no longer had to worry about his mom being alone? I felt high on elation, so proud to be able to ease his worries there.
“Ever since we met you at the diner, she’s not alone. She’s got you now. Right?” He peered at me as he stood, ready to go to bed.
I nodded. I sure fucking hoped he was right. “Yes. I’m here now.” Even saying that felt manipulative. I wanted Willow to choose me to have that privilege. I wanted her to decide that I fit with them.
“And so long as I’m here,” I said as I led him out of the kitchen, “I will do everything in my power so you both can know you’re protected and not alone.”
He paused, turning back to hug me, and I swore my heart would burst right out of my damn chest. His thin arms circled me, and I lowered my hands to set one on his head and one on his back, holding him close. Feeling his little body against mine reminded me of how delicate he was. How precious and tiny he was yet. It renewed my conviction to keep him safe, to teach him every day that I would move mountains to take care of him and his mother.
In this quiet moment, we bonded and strengthened this friendship we’d formed. I would never forget the peace of him hugging me for the first time. His acceptance was important—and honest since he was acting on his own will, approaching me instead of the other way around.
It was the moment that I knew more than ever that I was meant to find Willow, to meet him.
Because he felt like my son. Like he was supposed to be my boy to raise and support.
Don’t push it.
I still had to remind myself to slow the fuck down. I was so excited for my own legacy, for my own family, that I was once more jumping ahead of myself. I couldn’t project my impatient desire for a family and assume Oscar could be mine.
He seemed to have already declared me as the newest member of his family.
But I had to bring him and Willow into mine.
Which meant winning her over first.
I stood with him as he brushed his teeth, then I waited for him to change. Once he opened the door to his bedroom and let me in to tuck him in, I did so with my heart so full of love and acceptance that I worried I was getting too soft too soon. That being this emotional could be a weakness.
After I’d tucked him in and walked to Willow’s room, the warm glow of love and fondness for Oscar faded. It was still there, but seeing Willow sitting in bed, almost as if she’d been waiting for me, other feelings kicked in.
Anticipation.
