Page 154 of Reluctantly You

“Why—” I clear my throat, trying like hell not to break down. “Why is this so easy for you?”

“You’re my son. Of course it’s easy.”

I glance away quickly, my eyes leaking. I quickly swipe at them, trying like hell to keep it together. “I really need to tell Jeanette all of this. She’s very cool, but she should know the details.”

“Yeah. I get it.”

“I don’t want to hurt anyone, Mitch.”

“I know.”

“I have a family.”

“Yeah,” I reply, my chest tightening with sadness, but then his words soften the blow.

“But, moving forward, I hope my family includes you.”

My eyes slam into his and he smiles softly. “Shit, I’ve always wanted three kids. And I’d like you to be my son, Mitch. I don’t know you, but I already want you.”

How can that be? Someone who doesn’t know me…someone who’s never really met me, wanting me?

“I know that you probably think that’s crazy. But listen, Mitch, I have a lot of love to give. And I’m fucking glad to give it to you.”

“Okay,” is all I manage to croak out.

Basil nods and then pulls away, his face calm but full of regret.

“I’m sorry I was never there, that I didn’t know about you. I really am.”

“It’s okay.”

“I’ll have Lex try to piece together how it happened, but based on your age, I bet it was my freshman year of college. Don’t remember much of that, to be honest.”

“That’s okay. I don’t…I don’t need to know what happened. And I don’t want you to meet her either. I don’t…she’s not a good person, Basil.”

He ponders that and then nods. “I’ll think on it, but right now, how about we go back inside and break the news to everyone? And then would you like to stay for some dessert? I baked a few pies. Rhubarb, blueberry, apple. Grew all of them by myself.”

I nod and shuffle on my feet. This guy bakes pies, he smiles, and gives hugs. I bet he even fucking cries openly.

Shit, who am I? Who could I have been with him in my life? No, no need to dwell on that. Who could I be with him moving forward?

Better.

I can be better.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Mitch

Holy shit. In the past two days, I’ve gained two brothers and two brothers-in-law. And a biological dad who spends his time gardening and working at a local nursery in town. And I also have a stepmom who dotes on me. She wasn’t even taken aback by this. It’s almost as if she expected it.

Although, with how much sex Basil seemed to have in college while high, I guess it makes sense.

Jeanette just threw her arms around me and welcomed me to the family.

“You have a home here, Mitch,” she whispered into my ear.

Shit, she’s more of a mom to me than my own. I haven’t told her yet, not wanting my actual mom involved, but I’ll reach out one day—when I’m ready. Right now, I’m healing. I’m mending, one stitch at a time.