Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
“You’re not bad at it. I think you’re very good at it because you’re real. You’re not putting on an act or playing a role. You’re honest and vulnerable, the way Kason always is.”
“I wish it came as easily to me as it does to him.” This time when I chuckle, she joins me.
“I hear you. He’s always himself, always has been. A lot of his peers thought he was a little weird, a little quirky when he was younger, but that never stopped Kason from being who he was. He played hockey but also started a Gay Straight Alliance at his high school. One of his old coaches worried about the impression that gave—bullshit, if you ask me. Why do people care who someone else loves or is attracted to? But that didn’t stop Kason. It just made him want to participate in those kinds of activities even more. He could have said he did it because his sister is a lesbian, but that’s not who Kason is. He came out as bisexual instead, didn’t care that it might hurt his odds of playing in the NHL one day.”
None of this surprises me. “It’s important to him to do what’s right.”
She smiles. “It is. I think we’re all very lucky to be in his world.”
There’s no denying that. “Agreed.”
“But I imagine he would say the same about you. If I couldn’t already tell you’re a good person, I would know it just by the fact that he chose you.”
“Be careful, or you’re going to give me a big head,” I tease, and again, May and I laugh. Her words mean a lot to me, though, like she’s trying to build me up the way her son does. Or hell, maybe that’s just what everyone does when they truly care about people. Maybe I’m just now getting to see that.
We enjoy our coffee together, my worries and nerves from yesterday having melted away. There’s always been something comforting about Kason, and now I see there is something comforting about his family too.
The only time either of us stops talking is when we’re taking a drink, and when our mugs are empty, she says, “I’ll make breakfast for everyone. Harvey usually cooks, but I can handle breakfast.”
“Do you mind if I help?” I ask, not only wanting to lend a hand to show my appreciation, but because I’m not ready for my conversation with her to end. I like May a lot. I see a lot of Kason in her.
She smiles. “I would absolutely love that.”
We make maple sausage, hash browns, and eggs, talking and laughing the whole time. When I finish flipping over the potatoes, May telling me a story about Kason covering for Courtney so she could sneak out and meet up with a girl when they were teenagers, I turn around and see him leaning against the wall of the entryway, arms crossed, huge grin on his face as he watches us together.
“Have you been telling him stories about me all morning?” Kason asks her, giving me a wink.
“Only a few. And good morning.” She walks over and gives him a hug. “Anthony and I have had a nice morning together. You didn’t tell me you tweaked your ankle a few weeks back.”
His gaze shoots to me. “Are you ratting me out now? You’re supposed to be on my side. No telling Mom when I get hurt.” It hadn’t been a big injury. In fact, he didn’t even sit out a game or tell anyone other than me and Rylan.
“Well, at least now I know she agrees with me and maybe she can get you to tell your coach when you’re hurt.”
“We’re on a winning streak!” he argues.
“Your safety is more important,” both May and I respond, before looking at each other and laughing.
“Great. I’m going to be in trouble with the two of you.” He walks over, grabs my face and kisses me. “Good morning, beautiful.”
“Good morning.” I point to one of the chairs with my spatula. “Now sit. We’re almost done.”
“I’ll go get Dad,” Kason says.
“I’m right here. Did I wake up in another house? It smells delicious,” he jokes.
“You brat.” May swats his arm, and then the two of them kiss good morning, the way Kason always does with me. He learned by example what it’s like to love and be loved, how you should treat people you care about, and he might not know it, but he’s taught me the same thing.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Kason
I’d been a little nervous waking up to an empty bed. I worried something was wrong but then heard him and my mom laughing when I walked out of my room.
Even hearing that didn’t prepare me for how much it would make me smile to see him being himself and enjoying his time with my family. God, I want him, love him, want to wake up to him every day of my life.