“I’m sorry son. You know I’ve never been good at this type of thing. Listen if you’re happy, I’m happy. I’m just looking out for your best interest. The world is full of people looking to chew you up and spit you out. Take your mother for example, she.”
I cut him off. “Dad, you always do this. I’m not calling to talk about mom. Listen, I have to run. When I can arrange it, do you want to meet him?” I asked, counting down the seconds until I could get off the phone.
“Of course. Listen, I love you. I’m sorry I always muck things up.”
“I love you too dad,” I said, and I meant it.
Right then and there I knew that no matter what happened between Tinsley and I that I would make things right for Lucas. I wasn’t going to allow what had driven a wedge between my parents and I to get a foothold in my relationship with my son.
Whatever the next steps were, they wouldn’t be easy, but I’d find a way for my boy. He deserved that. I may not have been in his life up to this point, but I would spend the rest of my life making it up to him.
18
TINSLEY
I was an absolute wreck. I couldn’t believe the way that all went down. I knew it wasn’t Kai’s intention and it certainly wasn’t his fault but damn, that’s just not the way I wanted it to all happen.
How could I have let things go down this way? I’d been so concerned about keeping this secret for so long. Why hadn't’ I thought more about the implications for Ryan, for Lucas? How could I have been so cavalier with their feelings?
I heard a knock on my door. I looked out the peephole to see Kai, Michael and Thiago. When I opened it, they came rushing in with hugs and apologies.
“I hope you don’t mind but Kai has caught us up on the day’s events.” Thiago said. “We have cleared our schedules until late afternoon and have ordered anything a person could need from room service. It should be here any minute.”
I burst into tears and laughter at the same time. My guys. Always coming through for me.
“He’s not joking Miss Tinsley. We’ve got ice cream and all the fixings, cakes, brownies, fries, pizza. I swear the guy taking my order thought I was a teenager that had gotten a hold of my parents’ credit card,” said Michael jokingly.
“I’m just still kicking myself,” said Kai as we made our way toward the living room. “It just wasn’t supposed to happen like this.”
“No,” I said. “But honestly, it’s for the best. I’ve known for a while now that I needed to tell him. The way it happened wasn’t ideal, but I do feel some relief knowing that the band aid had finally been ripped off.”
A knock sounded at the door and Michael went to let them in. They weren’t joking. Two carts rolled in piled high with every comfort food one could imagine. Michael slipped the guy a giant tip and walked him back out.
“Tinsley, what can we do? How can we help?” Kai asked softly.
“I want to know,” I said meekly. “I need to know things are going to be okay. I know I’ve fucked things up with Ryan and that’s my own fault. But how are things with us, the rest of us.”
“Tinsley, I think I can speak for all of us when I say, we aren’t going anywhere. We care about you and want you to be happy. The ball is in your court, you tell us how you want to proceed, cause we’re all in,” he said as Kai and Michael nodded along in agreement.
“You’re sure? Cause I thought you all might go running for the hills.”
“Positive,” Michael said, patting my leg.
“Now what can we do? Do you want to talk or to be distracted?” Thiago asked.
“I want to forget about it, I’ve thought through every possible scenario and my brain is completely fried. Distract me, please!”
“Okay well pay per view has some awesome rom coms. We can go shopping. There are still a few shows left to preview before the festival closes out tonight.” Kai said.
“I was thinking of a more carnal distraction,” I said shyly, standing up and making my way to the bedroom.
“Now that’s something we can help you with,” said Kai moving toward me and removing his shirt as he went.
“I don’t want to think or make decisions. Nothing is off the table. Just make me feel good.”
“That we can do,” Michael said, joining us as Thiago moved into the room behind him.
Thiago moved toward me and slowly wiped a tear from my eye and then began undoing my robe. I was completely naked underneath. He moved it over my shoulders and let it drop to my feet.