by Megan Slayer
“Sure.” Love was great. The fighting sucked and the misunderstandings could ruin everything, but yes, love was wonderful.
Remy rested his head in his hands again as Chris disappeared into the house. He tried not to worry or linger over the fact that he’d made Darcy cry. His heart sank lower—if it was possible. Bobby wanted the best for his kids. Remy, as much as he loved all three of them, wasn’t good for anyone. He scrubbed both hands over his face. He really needed to stop the emo pity party, but his worst fear had come to light. His past was haunting him and affecting the life he wanted.
He listened for the sounds of Chris, Darcy or Bobby in the house but heard nothing. The silence bothered him and made his skin crawl. A decision must’ve been made. He heard footsteps on the hardwood floor, then the creak of the screen door opening. Remy smelled Bobby’s cologne before he saw his boyfriend. Although he wanted to pour his heart out, Remy forced himself to be quiet. He’d fucked up by trying to talk to Darcy in the car. He wasn’t about to screw up again.
Bobby sat beside him on the porch and rested his elbows on his knees. Instead of the business suit, he wore frayed jeans. His bare feet stuck out from under the cuffs. “Weren’t we just here?” Bobby asked.
“Uh-huh.” A lump formed in Remy’s throat and his eyes prickled with unshed tears. Fuck. He refused to let anyone see him cry.
“The view is nice, especially with the flags gone.” Bobby crossed his ankles. “I should mow tomorrow. Have Chris run the trimmer along the sidewalks.”
God. The guy was stalling. Why prolong the inevitable? “Bobby, just spit it out.” His lack of patience in tough situations would be the death of him. “Please?”
“What is there to say?” Bobby replied.
Fucking goddamn balls. “Let’s see. Darcy was probably in a good mood until she heard me talking to my ex-boyfriend. He said I was going to ship the kids off. I’m not like your exes. I don’t want the kids to go anywhere. I love your kids and you. I don’t care who knows.” He’d blurted so much out. Damn lack of composure and calm. “I’ve got all I’ve ever wanted right here in this house, but despite my best efforts, the cosmos doesn’t want me to be a family man. I want that more than anything. You changed my mind. You brought out a side of me I didn’t think existed, and I’m happy. I don’t want to go, but your kids don’t trust me.”
“I wouldn’t say the kids don’t trust you. Darcy’s upset, sure. Chris thinks he’s got a partner in crime.” Bobby sighed and rested his hand on Remy’s thigh. “Here’s the thing. My kids are genuinely worried something bad will happen. They’ve been through it a few times, and I can’t say I blame them. But they’re kids. I’m the adult here.”
Ah, fuck. Here comes the kiss-off. Remy nodded.
“My life affects theirs. The decisions I make impact them.” Bobby squeezed Remy’s thigh. “I guarantee what Darcy heard was fucked up. I don’t know your ex, but if he’s who Darcy said, then I’m not surprised.”
“Dale Emery. He works for one of the news stations in Cleveland. I’m not sure which any longer. He was at eight for a while, then moved to four.” Remy couldn’t look Bobby in the eye. He kept his head down and studied the pattern of the stones on the first sidewalk square.
“That’s what I thought.” Bobby bumped shoulders with Remy. “Dale, huh? He’s kind of a celebrity.”
“He’s an asshole.”
“Just what I was going to say.”
Remy snapped his attention to Bobby. “You’ve met him?”
“No. That’s the impression I got from watching him on the television. He projects confidence but also a sense of entitlement.” Bobby moved his hand from Remy’s thigh and draped his arm around Remy’s shoulders, drawing Remy close. “Be honest with me. Completely honest. How do you see your future?”
Remy wanted to wait to reply, but the words tumbled out anyway. “I’m working at the paper, covering all of the stuff I don’t want to and the stories I think matter. I’m watching the kids compete in their respective sports and cheering them on while they win and place well. I’m watching Chris, then Darcy, grow up and graduate. I want to be doing all of that beside you, but I can’t force on you what I want.”
Bobby rested his forehead on Remy’s. “Who said you’re forcing?”
“Bobby, I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” He paused. “But if that’s not what you want, I’m willing to walk. What’s best for you and the kids is what matters to me.”
“Are you interested in showing the community what a stable, loving and committed relationship looks like? Despite what the Coalition think?” Bobby asked.
“They never crossed my mind.” He stared deep into Bobby’s eyes. He could get lost there. “I want to be with you and the kids and be happy. If we show everyone what a good relationship looks like, then even better.”
Bobby kissed Remy. Not the full-on passionate kisses Remy was used to, but a soft, feathery one. He barely brushed Remy’s lips. His breath warmed Remy’s skin.
“I deserve for you to leave me—I do—but I don’t want… I can’t.” Remy closed his eyes and his tenuous hold on his composure split. The tears slipped down his cheeks.
“Rem.” Bobby cupped Remy’s jaw and tilted his gaze. “Look at me.”
He forced himself to do as Bobby said. A fresh wave of embarrassment hit hard. He wanted so much to be the man Bobby needed, yet he felt so…inadequate.
“Hey. We’ve all got stuff we’ve done that wasn’t our best moment. I’ve got lots of them. I bet if you asked the kids, they’d tell you all of the things I’ve done that are embarrassing. Singing along to the radio. Talking to myself in the grocery store. Wearing the wrong shirt with the wrong shoes. Saying the word ‘rad’ when it’s not popular. Then there’s the heinous act of wearing neon purple shorts when I run.” He kissed Remy again. “But meeting you, being with you and loving you aren’t on that list. I barely trust Dale to read the news. Why would I believe him now? I kind of understand, though, what he tried to do. He knew what he’d given up and wanted you back. If you did leave, I’m not sure I wouldn’t try something underhanded to get you to come home.”
“Bobby?” He didn’t believe what he’d heard.
“It’s the truth. I blurted the words out and promptly acted like I hadn’t said ‘I love you’, but I did from pretty much the moment we met. You’re not like anyone I’ve ever met and I’m honored to have you in my life. I love you so much.”
“But—what about…?” Remy scooted closer to Bobby. “I don’t understand.”
“I’ll talk to Darcy again, but I tried to explain to her that sometimes adults say shit because they can. Like when they taunt the swimmers during the meets. It’s not nice, and they wouldn’t want that kind of thing said to them, but some just don’t think. She’s not ready to forgive you, I can’t force that, but she’ll understand. She’ll get past it. You’re right. You’re not my exes and Dale is an asshole. We’ll figure this out and move forward.”
“Bobby.” He threw his arms around his lover’s waist. “We’re a mess.”
“But we’re a mess as a family.” Bobby kissed the top of Remy’s head and sighed. “As for Darcy, she’ll come around.”
Remy sure hoped so. He sat up and wiped his hand across his face. The door creaked, and when he glanced over his shoulder, Darcy stood behind them.
Bobby didn’t turn around. “Come here, Peanut.” He patted the wood planks on his other side. “I’ve got room.”
She inched over to them and settled next to Bobby. “You’re—you’re not going to kick us out?” Her cheeks were red and her eyes were swollen from crying. She held on to a stuffed rabbit that appeared to be in dire need of a bath. What Remy assumed had been a brilliant blue was sort of a dingy brown.
Remy dragged a long breath into his lungs, then exhaled. He’d needed the moment to compose himself. “Not a chance.”
She half-heartedly smiled and leaned on Bobby. “You’re coming with us to the cross-coun
try meet tomorrow, right?”
“I sure am.” And not even to cover the event. He could be there as a spectator this time. He’d probably have notes and something for a write-up in case the story was needed, but still.
“We run around to cheer for Chris.” She clutched the rabbit. “Is that okay?”
“Will you show me where we’re going? I get lost easily.” Remy rested his elbows on his knees and met her gaze. “I hear you’re a great guide.”
“I am.” Her eyes lit up and her smile grew into a genuine one. “We’ll root for Jenna too?”
“Sure.” He winked at her. God, having a family was hard—but rewarding too. He hadn’t expected to feel such pride in Chris and Darcy. They weren’t his kids, not his flesh and blood, but the longer he spent around them, the more he grew attached.
“Okay.” She hugged her dad, then stood. “I have homework. I’ll bring out my math so you can check it.”
“We’ll be in after a bit,” Bobby said. “Leave it on the table.” He waited for her to disappear into the house, then draped his arm around Remy’s waist. “For a guy who wasn’t a kid man, you’re a good dad.”
“I’m not good, but I’m learning and trying.” He rested his head on Bobby’s shoulder. “So. What do we do now?”
“Good question.” Bobby stretched his legs and crossed his ankles. “We get through supper without me blowing up at my son for having a girlfriend. We’ll sort out the schedule for tomorrow so everyone gets to the bus or the track on time, then once the kids are in bed and settled for the night…we fuck like rabbits and start all over again in the morning.”
“Sounds like my kind of schedule.” Remy tipped his head to look up at Bobby. “I love you, Bobby Gagnon.”
“Love you, Remy Nicholas, and one of these days I’m going to marry you.” Bobby grinned. “By the way, I’m not taking that back. Any of it.”
Marry him one day. Remy had never heard sweeter words. He stood, then dragged Bobby to his feet. He could see them together as old men, chasing the grandkids and rushing across the field to cheer on the next generation of runners, then standing poolside for the future swimmers. Being with Bobby was the smartest thing he’d ever done. He chuckled.
“What?” Bobby asked. He gripped the front door, but didn’t open it.
“I was just thinking I know what the next Positively Cedarwood story should be. The Coalition spent all that time and energy trying to get rid of all those people they thought didn’t belong here in town, but what they succeeded in doing was bringing couples together. We didn’t need the Coalition to give us the green light, but once Colin and Jordan started the trend, the rest of us felt comfortable to live our lives and love the men we wanted to love. That’s what I’ll write about—how the Coalition unintentionally brought the greatest love to Cedarwood.”
“I like it. You won’t shut them down. They’ll always want an argument, but you’ll take the wind out of their sails for sure.” Bobby opened the door for Remy and stepped out of the way. “So, do you want a silver or gold band?”
Remy laughed and paused in the doorway. He collided with the solid wall of Bobby’s chest. He stared into Bobby’s dark eyes and shivered. “I’ll love whatever you give me.”
“I love when you say that.” Bobby swatted Remy’s ass. “We’re totally using the blindfold tonight.”
Remy grinned and gripped the front of Bobby’s shirt. “I can’t wait.”
* * * *
Getting up that morning hadn’t been hard for Remy. He loved early wake-up calls. The trek across the gravel parking lot to the start of the race wasn’t even bad. What he hadn’t planned on was the number of people crammed into the viewing areas at the metro park. Per Bobby’s instructions, he kept Darcy beside him and kept an eye on her in the glut of people.
“Oh, hi!” A woman crossed the path and waved. “Darcy, how are you? And Remy, right? Nice to see you again. Chris made the varsity team, didn’t he?”
Darcy nodded. “Yes, he did. Jenna did too, didn’t she?”
Remy smiled and kept his mouth shut. He hadn’t checked the lineups for either team and had no idea who’d made the varsity squad besides Chris.
“She’s trying to get back on it. She had a rough week last week in practice.” The woman shook hands with Remy. “I’m Jenna’s mom, Jayce. There are so many parents here, it’s easy to forget who’s who. Shay and Bret went with my husband, Kell, to watch the middle school boys’ race.”
“I should get the stats on the winners for the paper.” He nodded once. “Thanks for reminding me. It was good to see you. Bobby should be back at any moment. He said something about taking Chris a protein bar or something. Would you like to watch the middle school girls’ race with us? Or at least stand with us until most of the girls pass?”
“That would be fantastic.” She stood on the other side of Darcy. “There are so many people here. Usually the first meet is busy, but this one…wow.”
“When Chris ran at Chagrin, the meets weren’t this big,” Darcy said. “Only, like, seven teams.”
“Did you run in school?” Jayce asked. “Bobby said you were a runner.”
“Oh, no. I didn’t take up a sport until college.”
“Well, good for you. Running is a great way to blow off steam.” She grinned. “I’m glad you and Bobby hooked up. I haven’t seen that man smile so much in the time I’ve met him.” She patted his arm. “You’re cute together too.”
“I feel the same way. Hopefully we last like you and Kell.” He clapped as the first few competitors surged past his position.
“Absolutely. Go you.” She nodded once and applauded. The runners or me? He wasn’t sure.
He hadn’t expected to be welcomed by the other cross-country parents. Of course, Jayce was just one parent, but she wasn’t put off by him or his relationship with Bobby. He should’ve known Bobby was right and that a lot of the Cedarwood community wasn’t offended by the LGBTQ portion. The main bunch of girls ran past, then the crowd around Remy, Darcy, and Jayce thinned out.
“I’m going to head over to the starting line. Feel free to join us. Bring Bobby.” She waved. “And if I don’t see you over there, I’ll see you at the end. Kell and I are in charge of water for the varsity boys’ race.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Remy waved as she strolled away. “Jenna’s mom is really nice.”
“Yeah. Her dad’s pretty awesome too.” Darcy nudged Remy. “Dad’s taking forever.”
“I didn’t think it’d take him half an hour to deliver protein bars.” Remy glanced around at the people milling about. He didn’t see Bobby anywhere. “I’m sure he’ll be back.”
Darcy nodded. “He sent a text. The girls are over by the parking lot and he’s waiting on them to pass before he comes over.”
“Well, there you go,” Remy said. “I forgot how much standing and running is involved in cheering for the cross-country team.”
“It’s not even Jenna’s or Chris’ turn yet,” Darcy replied and laughed. She tucked her phone into her back pocket. “Remy?”
“Right here.” He met her gaze. He wasn’t sure what she was going to say, and he had no plans to interrupt her. If she was ready to talk to him about yesterday, then he was all ears.
“I’m sorry I didn’t believe you. I’m sorry I thought you’d be like Neil.” She toyed with her ponytail and ran her fingers around the length of her hair. “I got scared.”
“I understand.” He dropped to one knee to look her in the eye. He brushed a few flyaway strands of her hair from her face and smiled. “I’m not Neil or Terry. I love your dad very much and I love you and your brother that much too. I’m sorry I didn’t tell my jerk of an ex-boyfriend to shove off before he said that stuff.”
“Really?” Her eyes widened.
“Uh-huh. He was out of line and he shocked me as much as what he said shocked you.” He glanced around again then motioned her close. “I want to ask you something because your input is important.”
Sh
e nodded and a smile lit up her face.
“Can I marry your dad? Not just live there, but marry him?” Remy asked. He guessed Chris would be fine with his decision, but he needed to know Darcy approved.
“Would you adopt me and Chris too?” She laced her fingers together. “So we’d have two dads?”
“If your dad will let me.” He hadn’t thought that far ahead, but now that she’d mentioned the idea, he liked it.
She pumped her fist and shrieked. “I get to have two dads all of the time!”
Remy stood and stumbled backward as she threw her arms around his waist. He held on to her tight. Compared to the day before, things were definitely looking up.
“Someone’s happy.” Bobby ducked under the caution tape and crossed over to where Remy and Darcy stood. “I take it you and Remy patched things up?”
“Yeah.” Darcy shrugged. “We did.” She tipped her head to the side. “Can Remy adopt us?”
Bobby’s gaze switched between Remy and Darcy. He scratched his chin then chuckled. “I don’t know where that came from, but it’s an option.”
He hadn’t exactly said no, so that was a plus. Remy grinned. “I asked Darce if she was okay with you and me for the long-term.”
“He’s going to ask you to marry him,” Darcy blurted. “You’d better say yes. I so want two dads.”
Bobby’s lips parted and his eyebrows rose. He didn’t say anything for a moment.
Remy shrugged. “Well, it was going to be a surprise.” Like once he had a ring and a speech prepared…and maybe a nice dinner ready on the deck, along with rope lighting and candles or something.
“You discussed it with Darcy.” Bobby’s expression didn’t change and there was no inflection in his voice.
Remy paused. Had he overstepped his boundaries? Shit. He second-guessed himself and wished he hadn’t been so quick to talk to Darcy about his plans for the future.
“Dad.” Darcy grabbed Bobby’s hand and swung his arm. “Yesterday you said to trust Remy. I do. You also said you weren’t letting his hot ass go.”