were no more excuses for me to keep quiet about myself and Charlie now. I hung back as the others
started to leave the kitchen to go back outside.
“Is everything okay, Dad?” Jesse asked, pausing in the doorway.
“Could I have a word with you and Isaac?”
Jesse caught hold of Isaac’s hand as he nodded. They both came back into the kitchen. Jesse’s brow was
pinched with worry.
“It’s confession time,” I said before my nerve failed me.
Isaac smiled smugly. Jesse’s expression was more guarded.
“I’ve been seeing someone.”
“Called it,” Isaac said.
“We thought you were,” Jesse said. “It’s Charlie, isn’t it?”
“That obvious?”
“Sometimes,” Jesse said. “I guessed something was going on when you were at each other’s throats before the
TV interview. Then other little things have happened since then. Why didn’t you say something sooner?”
I sighed, feeling like a naughty schoolboy. “You had other things to worry about, with the adoption and all.”
Jesse frowned. “That’s a lame excuse.”
I almost asked him why he and Isaac hadn’t told me they were together, but that would have been a low blow.
Besides, I knew why. I had been utterly unapproachable back then, and Isaac had been in a position of trust.
“I…didn’t think you’d understand.”
“Why?”
“He’s nineteen years younger than me.”
“And?”
“He’s only a year older than you.”
Jesse folded his arms. “And?”
“He’s your friend.”
Jesse pinched his lips together. “Does he make you happy?”
I smiled. “Very.”
“Then why wouldn’t I understand?”
I shrugged. Clearly, my son was a lot more open-minded than I had been.
Jesse walked over and hugged me. “I’m happy for you, Dad. Both of you. You deserve to be loved. I am
disappointed that you didn’t feel you could tell me. After all the grief you gave Isaac and me for hiding our
relationship, I’m surprised you’d want any secrecy at all.”
“I’m scared,” I admitted.
Jesse looked up sharply. “Of what?”
“Of ruining Charlie’s career like I did my own.”
Jesse took a step back. “First, you didn’t ruin your career. The media did. Second, why would being with you hurt
Charlie’s career?”
“For all the reasons I’ve just given you. I’m old enough to be his father, and we’re both omegas. Our relationship
isn’t exactly conventional.”
“Screw conventional,” Isaac said. “And screw the media. I doubt Charlie will give a shit if they try to rake him over
the coals.”
“He’ll care more than you think,” I said. “And a lot more than he’ll admit. He puts on a tough exterior, but his skin
is just as thin as everyone else’s.”
“Everyone loves Charlie,” Jesse said. “Look at how much positivity there’s been about his epilepsy.”
There had been the odd negative article, but on the whole, he’d received an outpouring of love.
“Sure, there might be some backlash from the more narrow-minded news outlets, but you’ll weather it together.”
I nodded. “It’s a moot point right now. He’s on the other side of the world.”
“Why aren’t you?” Isaac asked.
“I had to be here for the two of you and the twins.”
“And we appreciate that, but why aren’t you heading home to pack?”
I shifted my weight from foot to foot. “If I go to him, we won’t be able to keep our relationship secret for long.”
“Why is that a problem?” Isaac pressed.
“I think we should wait until after Charlie’s tour has finished.”
“Why?”
“He doesn’t need the stress. He’s already had two seizures.”
“Stress increases his chances of having them?” Jesse asked.
“Yes. And tiredness.”
“Which is why he has such a relaxed tour schedule.”
I nodded.
“Hold up,” Isaac said, narrowing his eyes. “Who thinks you should wait? You or Charlie?”
I hung my head. “Me.”
“It seems to me that you’re the one driving the secrecy. Am I right?”
I nodded.
“Would Charlie be happy to let everyone know right now?”
“Yes.” I was sure of that, even though he hadn’t said it aloud since he’d left for his tour.
“Then go to him,” Isaac urged. He put his arm around Jesse’s shoulders and pulled him back against his chest. “
Secrecy is tiring.”
It really was, and yet…
“What if it changes everything?” I asked miserably.
“Like what?” Jesse asked.
“Just assume for a second that I’m right and the media rips the pair of us to shreds—me for being too old and
Charlie for dating an omega—will we survive that?”
“There’s no way to know,” Isaac said. “But what do you think will happen if you try to keep your relationship a
secret much longer? You might be happy with that arrangement, but how long will Charlie put up with it?”
“I could lose him anyway,” I whispered.
“Exactly.”
“And the media will react worse if they find out themselves,” Jesse pointed out.
“Charlie says we
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