Page 128 of Playing the Game
Jonas sighed. “I know you’re not. Deep down. After everything that happened with my parents, I’m paranoid.”
They had skirted around this subject on too many occasions. If they were both going to have a new beginning, they had to be fully on board.
“Can you tell me?”
“I suppose I’d better. I can’t very well have a go at you for being secretive.”
Adam focused on measuring out the formula for the bottle. He didn’t want to spook Jonas. Something inside Adam told him this was vital for them moving onward in their relationship.
“My father cheated with Tuva,” Jonas explained. “When he left, it broke my poor mother’s heart.”
Adam stole a glance at Jonas. He gazed down at Olive, who seemed equally as transfixed by him.
“Then Anna was on the way,” Jonas continued. “My mama couldn’t take it.”
The slow rumble of the kettle boiling was the only noise in the kitchen.
“What happened?” Adam asked, quietly.
“I went on a weekend football training camp,” Jonas replied. “Her best friend found her.”
“Oh, Jonas. I am so sorry.”
A solitary tear rolled down Jonas’ cheek and dropped onto Olive’s sleep suit. Adam crossed the distance and put his arm around Jonas. Nestling his nose into Jonas’ hair. Taking in the smell of him.
“I am so very sorry.”
Jonas wiped his eye. “I guess we’re both as fucked up as each other.”
“Now we know everything. Can we try?”
Jonas sighed. “I want to. So badly. Yet…”
“Yet what?”
“Do I look like an evil stepmother?”
There was a glint in Jonas’ eye that mainlined straight to Adam’s heart. It gave him hope.
“Not at all,” Adam replied. “You look like someone who would be the most positive influence on my daughter’s life that I can think of.”
Now it was Jonas’ turn to look astonished.
“Really?”
“Of course. I love you and I mean it.”
“I love you too.”
Boom. Adam reached across for Jonas’ hand.
“You do?”
“I do.”
Adam squeezed him tightly. “Oh God I’ve missed this.”
They both stared down at Olive. For the first time in weeks, Adam had a calmness inside him that he’d never had before. It felt like home.
