Page 102 of The Long Game

“You’re not leaving, right?” Sam asked Jack’s shoulder.

Jack held his breath for a moment, then sighed. “No.”

Grady’s hand pressed against the small of Jack’s back. “Come on. Let’s sit.”

They went to the couch, Jack landing between Sam and Grady, while Colton sat on the coffee table.

Jack was achingly aware of how he and Grady had sat Colton down the same way to try to get him to open up, and wonderedwhat he was expected to confess. What great secret or history or broken piece of him could he offer to explain? There wasn’t one. There was just one, simple truth.

“I don’t want to leave.”

“Then don’t,” Colton said.

Jack shook his head. Colton still didn’t understand. “I’m not going to put you in jeopardy. Not ever.”

Colton blinked back the shine of tears. “Thanks. But same goes.”

“It’snotthe same.”

Grady’s hand slipped into his. “It would be for me. You leaving would break my heart, Jack.”

Jack gulped because that sounded dangerously close to a declaration he wasn’t sure he was ready to hear and yet desperately yearned for.

“How can we convince you that stayingisthe right thing to do?” Grady asked.

Jack grimaced, wishing it were true.

“I’m serious, Jack. I think I speak for all of us when I say we want you here.” Colton and Sam nodded enthusiastically. “We don’t even know if the family back in Calgary will learn about you. How would they? They’d have to come out here and see for themselves and, sadly, there’s no evidence they care enough to try.”

Colton shrugged. “It sucks, but let’s be real—it’s better if they don’t give a shit about either one of us. Aboutanyof us,” he said, circling his cup in the air to include Sam.

“They don’t even know I’m here,” Sam said. “And Bart won’t tell them. He’s just happy I made it in one piece and plan to stay.”

Jack was increasingly curious about the mystery brother, Bart, but now wasn’t the time. “Okay, but what if they figure itout? What if some judge decides our relationship makes you an unsuitable guardian?”

“I honestly don’t think that’s going to happen. It’s not like you were convicted of a violent crime.”

“I was convicted ofarmedrobbery,” Jack retorted, exasperated.

Grady waved that off. “But it was bullshit. We can explain that.”

Jack frowned. “I worry your faith in the legal system is misplaced.”

Grady put an arm around Jack and pulled him to his chest. “I get why you say that. I do. But we have Daphne, who frankly scares me a little—which is a good thing in a lawyer—and we have friends to back us up. And if all that doesn’t work, then we’ll relocate to Costa Rica until Colton turns eighteen.”

Jack tucked his face against Grady’s neck and sighed. He’d researched non-extradition countries with decent schools and weather, too.

“That would be awesome!” Colton said. “Also, you two can’t break up. No one could take the pining. Seriously. It was awful.”

“As ever, we appreciate your support,” Grady said dryly.

Colton nodded. “Too fucking right.”

Grady pressed a kiss to the top of Jack’s head, and something hard and tight and sad melted in Jack’s chest. “We can do this, Jack. We can make it work.”

And for some damn reason, Jack believed him. Or he wanted to so badly that he couldn’t tell the difference. “Yeah, okay. We can.”

Sam and Colton cheered while Grady wrapped him in his arms, and Jack took strength and courage from that. He hugged Grady back and hoped he felt the same.

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