Page 87 of Bulletproof
Derek stretched, lazily, reaching his arms above his head and extending his toes. “Sunrise? What time is it? I haven’t woken up to watch the sunrise . . . ever.”
“Are you for real? Get your ass out of bed. You’re in for a beautiful sight.”
Derek propped himselfup on his elbows. “I like the beautiful sight I’m looking at right now.”
“So do I. But I want to kiss you under the painted sky. C’mon. Before we miss it.” Travis took Derek’s hand and pulled him out of bed, despite his groans of protest. The moment they stepped onto the balcony, the beauty of it all took Travis’ breath away. The mountains in the distance were a dark black shadowat the forefront of the arc of a giant golden sun cresting behind it, casting a luminous glow on the canyons below. The sky was aflame with shades of orange and gorgeous streaks of magenta, mingled with soft baby blues.
Derek draped his arm over Travis’ shoulder and gazed upward. “This is incredible. I’ve never watched the sunrise from out here.”
“I love sunrises. Theysignify a new beginning. A new life. Sunsets hold a paralleled beauty because they bring a sense of closure. Everything that happened during the day is left behind. Forgotten. Or cherished. But the sunrise is the dawn of a new day. It holds promise and hope. Infinite in its possibilities. Nothing is written. The day is an empty page to be filled with memories, a chance to create something beautifulout of nothing. And this sunrise, right here, the one we’re looking at now, symbolizes our future together. Each day is ours to fill with everything life has to offer, and every new day will be better than the last. I love you, Derek MacAlister.” Travis pressed his lips against Derek’s just as the sky cleared and the sun brightened the air with the promise of infinite possibilities.
When Travis pulled back, Derek wore a quivering smile. “I love you, too.” He swallowed, slowly. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.”
Travis settled into the chaise and turned his face up to the sun, allowing it to warm his cheeks. His body went limp with the comfortable feeling of home. It made him think of his measly apartment with its lackluster furnishings and sad memories of sleeplessnights pacing the floors. He had no desire to return there, but he had no intention of moving in with Derek. Not yet, anyway. He made a mental note about his future, because now he created goals. And his first goal was to purchase his own home. Nothing extravagant like Derek’s mansion, but something he could call his own that didn’t remind him of his past. Another attribute to signify a freshstart.
The strong aroma of coffee made Travis’ eyes open wider, and he looked up to find Derek holding two steaming cups of coffee. He took one and sipped at the fresh brew. “Thank you, but I’m not up for the day. I’m going back to sleep.”
“Me too. Let’s sleep for a few more hours. Then I have plans.”
“Do they include me?”
“Of course. All myplans include you from now on.” Derek rubbed his coffee mug with both hands and displayed an eager smile. My mom is coming over to meet you later. I just called her.”
“Are you serious? You called your mother this early? It’s not even 7:00 in the morning.”
Derek smiled with an innocent shrug. “I’m excited. I wanted to call her last night, but I was too wrapped up in beingwith you.”
A multitude of emotions swam inside Travis’ heart and in his head. He was thrilled. And nervous. “I . . . I . . . I . . .” He laughed. “I’m at a loss for words. I’m gonna sound like an idiot when I meet her. I’m so excited I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t need to say anything. Just be you.”
“Does this shirt look too big on me?” It was one of Derek’s Bulletproof shirts. Travis didn’t bring a change of clothes and he didn’t want to wear the same shirt he wore last night to meet Derek’s mother.
“You look great. My mom doesn’t care what you’re wearing. She just wants to meet you.”
The doorbell rang, causing Travis to suck in a quick breath. Hisheartbeat quickened and he couldn’t tone down the damn giddy smile on his face. He probably looked like a moron, but he didn’t care. He was meeting his boyfriend’s mother – the first meeting of its kind.
Derek opened the door and his mother immediately wrapped her arms around him. She pushed the hair out of his face and kissed both of his cheeks. “Hi, honey.” And then she turned toTravis. Her eyes were the same color as Derek’s and bore the same kindness. And her smile . . . it was animated and all consuming . . . heartwarming and accepting. “Travis. I am so honored to meet you!” She gave Travis the same motherly hug she gave Derek, but the one Travis received was longer, and she emitted a small excited laugh as she squeezed him. She kissed both of his cheeks loudly, tookhis hands in hers, stepped back and beamed at him.
All nerves gone, Travis felt warmth envelop him. “I’m the one who’s honored. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
“You’re even more handsome than in all those photos Derek sent me of the two of you traveling all over the West Coast.”
Travis glanced at Derek. “You sent her selfies of us?”
Derekshrugged and presented an innocent smile.
How many people sent their mom selfies on a regular basis? This guy was so fucking precious.
Derek’s mom held Travis’ hands a little tighter. “You looked like you were having so much fun all the time, the two of you always laughing and smiling together. I could tell you were special right away. I love you already!”
She loves me?This woman, who he hadn’t said more than a few words to, loved him? He was dumbfounded and floored into silence.
“No one has ever made my son so happy. See that smile on his face?” Derek was glowing. “I’ve never seen him like that before. Anyone who can make him smile like that has my heart.” She waved a hand in front of her. “Listen to me babbling. I don’t want to takeup your day. Please come over for dinner tonight and meet the rest of the family.”
“I’d love to. Thank you for inviting me.”
“Everyone is so excited to meet you.” She cupped her hand over her mouth and lowered her voice. “I have a little confession to make. I wanted to meet you first. Before anyone else. I wanted you all to myself.” She rubbed the palms of her hands together,much like Derek often did. “I’m going to make a wonderful dinner for everyone. If there’s anything special you’d like, please tell me. I’m going to make all of Derek’s favorites. Rib eye. Chicken Franchese. Spaghetti with meat sauce. And risotto. No vegetables.”
“No vegetables?” Travis threw his head back and laughed. “That’s perfect. I love you, Mrs. MacAlister!”
“Oh,please call me Leslie . . . or, whenever you’re ready . . . Mom.”
