Page 70 of Jamie
“I’m pretty sure you’re not the one who let the photographers know how to find you, which means you have nothing to apologize for.”
“It’s the fans. They don’t understand…” No one did.
“Ah. Well, that sucks and it’s still not your fault. We aren’t going to abandon you because there are obstacles in your life. We’re going to help you deal with them.”
“How? How can you?” Jamie thought they actually could. He really did.
“We’ll assess the situation and figure it out. I don’t want you worrying about it—you don’t have to carry it alone.”
He reached out, holding Bran’s hand. “Thank you.”
Bran squeezed his hand. “You’re welcome, boy.” They drove in silence for a moment before Bran had to take his hand back for driving. “I think you should look at this as an opportunity.”
“An opportunity?” He didn’t follow. “For what?”
“Well, if you aren’t working at the coffee shop anymore, you’ll have more time to write. More time to shop around your stuff once it’s written. More time to explore new things. And more time to spend with your Daddies.”
“Do you want that, though? Me just… I mean, I don’t have a lot of savings.”
“We’re not interested in you for money or your former job, either, boy. You know that.”
“I know, but I want to be yours and happy.”
“Well, you already are ours, so there’s your first wish done.” Bran shot him a grin as they turned onto their street. “And you being happy is our number-one priority, so I have faith that you’re going to get there.”
“I hope you’re right. I want you to be right…” He started crying again as he saw a photographer waiting in the bushes.
“Keep your head down, and I’ll get us into the garage.” Bran pressed the button on his visor and the garage door opened forthem. He drove in without even looking in the direction of the photographer and pressed the button for the garage door again, waiting until it started closing before he turned off the engine.
“I’m so sorry. I really am.” He was heading into hysterical.
“Stop apologizing,” Bran told him. “If I hear another sorry out of your mouth today, I’m going to put you over my knee and spank you.”
“What? Don’t say that! I—I can s-say that if I need to!”
“You’ve apologized to me a whole bunch of times already for something that isn’t your fault. So no, for the rest of the day, you do not need to say that word. Not once.” Bran grabbed his chin and kissed him, hard.
He pushed into Bran’s arms. He just wanted to go inside, to hide, to be okay.
Bran kissed him for a moment longer before staring into his eyes. “Come on. No reason to dillydally here in the car.”
“Where’s Silas? He’s okay?”
“He’s home. In his studio. He’s been there since early this morning. Apparently, he’s been hit with inspiration.” Bran got out and came around to open his door for him.
“Oh. That’s good, right?” Was he interrupting?
“It’s good. We’ll leave him be for now, yeah? I think I can be enough for you at the moment.” Bran slid an arm around his shoulders and guided him inside, the garage door letting them into the hall by the kitchen.
He headed for the sink, washing his face and breathing.
“Given the crowd I saw outside the coffee shop, I can see why you don’t like that aspect of fame, why that might have chased you away from acting.” Bran filled the kettle and set it on to boil before pulling two mugs out of the cupboard and grabbing the tin of teas.
“I was good at it, but I like making the stories, not pretending to be someone I’m not.”
“So even without the crazy fans and paparazzi, you didn’t particularly enjoy it, eh? But the good thing is that now you can focus on the writing. You know Silas and I will always support you in your efforts.”
“You don’t think I’m stupid? To give up fame?”
