Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 101(@200wpm)___ 81(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 101(@200wpm)___ 81(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
Lance gave me a beautiful smile before looking out into the distance, watching Brady do belly flops onto the trampolines. “He really likes you.”
“I really like him too.”
When Lance looked back at me, his smile had disappeared. “I really appreciate you watching over him and playing with him while I work, but it’s not all fun and games. Sometimes kids are little shits; they push your buttons, test your limits, and drive you crazy.”
He sighed and continued, “It’s a lot to handle, and I understand if it’s too much for you. But please; if it is, tell me now. Please don’t let Brady get even more attached to you. I can’t see him get hurt.” He hugged himself around the middle and added, “I don’t want to get hurt either.”
I suddenly understood why it took so long for Lance to agree to go out with me. Someone had treated my mate horribly, and made him afraid to reach out or trust anyone. While I wanted to know all about his pain, I first needed to calm his fears.
Growing up as the son of the Alpha, I was heavily involved with our pride. I was charged with guiding the cubs and teaching them about our people and expectations. Of course, once he found out about my sexual orientation, my father shunned and exiled me, but that could never take away the positive memories I kept close.
“Lance, I grew up around a lot of kids. I helped raise a lot of kids. Not mine,” I added quickly when his eyes grew wider. “I grew up in a tight-knit community and I was always the big brother to the young ones, even if we weren’t related. I played games with them, but I also helped teach them, and even discipline them when needed. I know what goes into raising a child.”
“And you’re okay with it?” he asked nervously. “Because Brady is only four; it’ll be a long time before he’s out of the house. Not that we’ll be together that long! I mean, that’s what I want…a long term relationship, that is…but not with you. Well, yes, with you, but…I’m not demanding a commitment right now or anything. You know…no pressure..but a little pressure.” He sighed and closed his eyes.
He was adorable when he got flustered. I cupped his cheek again and ran my thumb along his flushed skin. “I understand what you mean. You don’t want to get involved with someone who isn’t looking toward the future. You want a man who will be a solid presence in your life and Brady’s.”
“Yes,” he whispered as he opened his eyes, appearing grateful. "He's old enough to remember who comes in and out of his life now. I don't want to make a connection with someone who isn't going to stick around."
I couldn't fight my curiosity any longer. If Lance didn't want to answer, I wouldn't push, but I had to at least ask, "Has that happened before?"
He sighed before looking in Brady's direction again. He was still on the far side of the room. "It's important for you to know what happened, but I don't want Brady to know any of this. He was too young to remember anything and I don't want him to get his feelings hurt."
I nodded my understanding. "I will never betray your trust." And I would never hurt Brady.
"I was with a man named David for three years, and I really thought that we'd be together for life." My stomach squeezed at his words, but I kept my face neutral. "But I should have known better.”
“What do you mean?”
“David was closeted. He didn’t want his family or friends knowing anything about our relationship. I didn’t push; everyone has their own comfort level and should be able to come out on their own time. I thought that if I loved him enough and we just focused on our relationship, everything would be fine.”
“I always knew that I wanted kids, and David said that he did too. I was the one who initially looked into adopting a baby, and David seemed onboard at first. We filled out paperwork together, pooled our finances, and attended the mandatory counseling and classes.”
“Everything was going great. I thought that we could build our own family, and when I first laid eyes on Brady when he was just two days old, I fell in love. I knew that I was looking at my future. I thought that David felt the same way. He even suggested that his parents may accept his identity easier if they had a grandkid to look forward to.”
“But they didn’t?” I assumed, but Lance huffed a humorless laugh.
“Things never got that far. A month after we brought Brady home, David became very distant around both of us. He took less and less interest in Brady, and would barely even speak to me. He stayed out late and some nights never came home at all. And then one day, he came home and said that it was over.”