Page 9 of Rejection and Redeemed
Robbie walked over and pulled him into a hug. Fran leant against him for a moment, wrapping his arms around Robbie and soaking in his cousin’s support.
“Whatever it is, I’m here if you need me,” Robbie told him.
Fran pulled away and shook his head, a tear falling down his cheek. He quickly brushed it away. “But that’s just the thing — when you find out, you won’t be. I’m not sure any of the family will be.”
“Fran ...” Robbie started to say.
“I can’t, Rob, please. I have to go; I’ll see you at the castle later.” And with that Fran rushed out of the locker room, leaving an upset Robbie behind.
Fran hurried to his car, ignoring everyone for the first time ever, but if he spoke again at that moment he would cry, and he couldn’t do that. He had to get his defences up, so that no one at the castle noticed.
He snorted to himself, like his family wouldn’t notice. Well, he would have to try. He could always blame it on being tired.
Fran arrivedat the castle a few minutes before seven. Clairmont opened the door to him before he had even reached the first step.
“Hey, Clairmont,” Fran greeted, walking up them.
The butler stared at him. “Francis, are you well?” he asked in concern.
“Yeah, just tired,” Fran told him. Not really a lie, he was tired.
“Your roots need doing,” Clairmont told him, as Fran walked into the large hall.
Fran gasped and put his hands on the top of his head. “Oh no, you did not just say that. Take that back, you evil, evil man.”
Clairmont laughed. He didn’t know what was wrong with Francis, but at least now he could be outraged instead of sad.
“Who’s evil?” Ezzy said, running down the stairs and joining them.
“Him,” Fran said with a pout, pointing at Clairmont.
Ezzy laughed. “Well, we know that, but what has he done now?”
Fran went to tell him and stopped. “I can’t, it’s just too traumatic,”
Clairmont laughed and led the way to the dining room.
“Oh come on now, you have to tell me,” Ezzy begged both of them.
“He said, he implied .. No, I can’t say it,” Fran said, walking into the room and turning his back on Clairmont.
“Franny,” Franks said, pulling his son into a hug. He pulled away and looked at Fran. “Your roots need doing.”
Clairmont burst out laughing. “That’s what I said,”
Everyone in the room chuckled. “That’s it, I’m going home,” he announced, dramatically turning round and heading for the door. But before he got there, Finn and Robbie walked in.
“Fran,” Finn said, smiling wide when he saw him, pulling him into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here, we can arrange our shopping trip.”
Fran hugged him back, loving the contact with him, wondering how long he would have it for.
The first time he had seen Finn, he had declared they would be friends. Apparently, Ezzy had done the same thing, which might seem strange to some people but not to this family. And besides, with working as much as Fran did, he didn’t have too many close friends. He sighed. Once they found out who his mate is he might not even have close ones anymore.
With a final pat on the back, Fran pulled away.
“Dinner is ready,” Clairmont announced.
They all took their places at the table, with Emory rushing in, full of apologies for running late.
