Page 50 of Save You
“It’s ok, I get it,” he sighs, moving to look dead ahead so he doesn’t appear to be getting friendly. “I didn’t know whether to tell you this, but, er…” Leo looks around before leaning in just that little bit closer toward my ear, “your family arrived today; they headed straight over to Xander’s place.”
At the mention of my family and Xander from someone else’s lips, my heart thumps painfully, and I feel the automatic sting of tears at the bottom of my eyes. I take in a noisy gulp of air and blow it out slowly to try and keep them from falling.
“Breathe it out, Beth,” he whispers. “If it helps, I think you did an incredibly brave and saintly thing.”
“Yeah?” I ask with a small sob. “Because right now, I feel like the shittiest person on the planet.”
“I’m a father too, Beth,” he says and turns just a fraction so I can see into his big, brown, papa bear eyes, “and I would have done the same thing for my kid. It’s what being a great parent is all about, doing everything in your power to keep them safe. Don’t ever question what you did for them.”
I sigh as I nod my head slowly, knowing he’s right, but still feeling sorry for myself. Then, yet more panic crawls inside of me when something suddenly dawns on me.
“Wait, where is your son?” I ask a little too loudly, causing me to wince in case anyone heard. He surreptitiously looks around us before giving me the nod as an all-clear. “Are you staying here or staying in New York? What’s happening with your family, Leo?”
“Relax,” he replies with a small smile, his calm exterior blowing away some of my anxiety, “Oliver offered to pay for them to come to New York if I came with you. My boy is going to be going to one of the best schools that New York has to offer.”
“Oh, oh Christ!” I reply with a small frown, feeling slightly stunned that Oliver would do something so…nice. “I guess that’s good then?”
“For us it is, but for you? Doesn’t change much, does it?”
“It does, actually. To be honest, I only wanted you guarding me; I don’t trust anyone else.”
“Gee, I’m touched, Beth,” he grins, but looks a little shocked over my admission. “If we weren’t being watched I’d give you a good ol’ father bear hug right about now. I would say you’re in need of one of those, but, well…”
“It’s ok, trust me, I get it!” I smile with relief. “I’m just glad you’re with me, even if it does mean you’re having to relocate.”
“As I said, you do anything for your kid.” He then leans back to get more comfortable. “And this is what I need to do to make sure my boy gets the best education. It’s also what I need to do for you, Beth. Consider me your surrogate family, if you’ll have me, that is?”
“Of course, I’ll have you,” I reply in a pitched voice, while sniffing back a whole host of new tears, “I’d be honored.”
Leo gently places his hand on top of mine so that we’re just about touching. It doesn’t stay there long, for fear of being caught, but the meaning behind the gesture is clear, and I’m grateful for it. It’s all I have right now.