Concealed Hearts (Hometown Jasper #4) - Nicky James Page 0,88

told me so.”

“Windsor’s a good man.”

Grant looked out the window at his mother. “I should go. When do you think it would be a good time to call Felix? I just want to hear his voice and know he’s okay.”

“Give him tonight to absorb. I’m going to touch base with Windsor and pass on your message. I’ll let him know you’re worried.”

Grant nodded again. “Okay.” He didn’t move to get out of the car, and I felt the weight of his sorrow like it was my own.

“Can I give you my number? If you need to talk to someone, I’ll listen. Maybe you can teach me a thing or two about self-confidence.”

Grant smiled for the first time. For a moment, he didn’t move, then he pulled his phone out and handed it to me. I inputted my number and gave it back.

“Anytime, Grant. I’m serious.”

He met his mom on the porch, and they hugged. Grant was crying again, but I knew he was in good hands. His mother’s love couldn’t be faked, and I wished Felix had the same support at home.

I thought of my own mother, who I’d pushed away. My family. All of them had known before tonight and had been standing by, willing to support me.

I pulled away from Grant’s house, unsure where I was going. At the hotel, I parked and tugged my phone out, connecting a call to Windsor.

When he answered, his voice was hushed. “Hey. Can I call you back in a bit? It’s not a good time.”

“Sure. Are you at home?”

“I am.”

“Is Felix with you?”

“He is.”

“I need to tell you something first.” Windsor stayed quiet, waiting. “I talked to Grant. He said Felix shouldn’t go home. He said he won’t admit it and will lie if you ask, but his dad can get violent. Grant has seen marks.”

“I suspected.” Windsor’s voice was choked. “He’s not going anywhere right now. I’ll call you in a bit.”

“Okay.”

We hung up, and I stared at the hotel sitting on the dark street of Jasper. A hotel I’d rented so I could hide, in a town I’d run from because of a deeply rooted shame I couldn’t shake.

With the barriers torn down, life looked and felt different. I went to my rented room and sat for a long time on the edge of the bed, looking at my suitcase and wondering what tomorrow would bring.

Everything had shifted and changed in a matter of a few minutes. BC, my apartment, and all it represented felt like it belonged in another life.

It was three in the morning when my phone rang. Windsor’s name flashed across the screen, and my heart calmed. “Hey.”

“Come over. Please.”

I hadn’t been to his house. It wasn’t an option before. The invitation was powerful, and I smiled.

“What about Felix?”

“He’s sleeping. I need you, Tomi.”

“I’m on my way.”

I wasn’t sad about leaving the hotel room behind. In fact, I packed my belongings and brought them with me. This wasn’t where I was supposed to be—this man who hid in hotel rooms and pretended he was something he wasn’t, who lied and was vindictive. It was time to let him go.

I pulled in behind Windsor’s Jeep. His street was quiet and dark. The Sullivan mansion next door made me smile, remembering the innocence of the past.

Windsor met me on the front stoop, and I walked into his arms. Neither of us said a word. The moment was huge. The cool night air couldn’t touch us. It was all so real and alive.

“I love you,” he whispered against my temple. “I know this wasn’t the plan but—”

I kissed him into silence. When I parted from his mouth, I smiled. “I love you too. You did the right thing.”

“Felix is a mess. I don’t know what I’m going to do. He’s seventeen. He’s not a legal adult, but I don’t want to send him home.”

“He’s old enough to decide where he wants to live. Any judge or social worker will tell you that.”

“His father’s a dick. Felix said the only family who might accept him isn’t local.”

“And he’s in love with a boy in town.”

“Exactly. He doesn’t want to leave. He doesn’t want to go home. He feels trapped and scared.”

I considered options. “Maybe let all this soak in and talk about it again when he’s calmer. Maybe there are solutions he’s not thinking about yet.”

“That’s what I told him. Come inside. It’s chilly.”

I’d never been inside Windsor’s house. It was small but cozy. It represented bachelor-living to a tee.