A Healing Story (Stories Book 3) Read online

  “I’ll text them and ask, but yeah I’m sure they won’t turn down a home cooked meal that they didn’t have to make. Do you want us to bring anything?”

  He shakes his head, “no, that’s okay. But we won’t say no to alcohol.”

  “We prefer tequila,” Rhys chimes in.

  “Who’s Alex?” Kelly asks.

  “My husband. He usually has lunch with us once a month or so but he’s been slammed with work lately. Anyway, he’s looking forward to meeting you.”

  “Oh,” she frowns then shrugs, “okay.”

  She tries to play it off but I can see something about Jamie’s admission bothers her. It can’t be because he’s gay, she knows that Rhys and Noah are together. Or does she? They don’t hide their relationship at work, but Noah is too much of a professional to let it be obvious. In fact, Rhys and Jamie act more like a couple at work than they do.

  ***

  Rhys takes the bag of alcohol from Bas and runs off. Bas and I look at each other and laugh, letting ourselves in since Rhys didn’t even say anything when he opened the door, just zeroed in on what we brought. Anyone else would find him rude, but that’s just Rhys. He has a one track mind sometimes.

  I go to shut the door but spy Kelly walking up the drive, so I wave Bas on and wait for her.

  “Hey, find it okay?”

  “Yeah. Nice place.” She looks around when she steps onto the porch.

  “I think everyone is in the kitchen,” I say as I lead her through the house.

  “Have you been here long?”

  I shake my head, “we got here just before you did. Rhys was letting us in when you arrived.”

  “Rhys?”

  “I’m sure you noticed by now that those two have zero boundaries. Rhys not only has a key but a designated room that he sleeps in when he stays over.”

  “Oh,” she says as we enter the kitchen where the chaos is.

  Jamie and Alex are finishing dinner and Rhys is pouring drinks while also talking to Bas. Noah sits at the island, content to stay in the background.

  “What do y’all want to drink?” Rhys calls when he sees us. “We have everything from tequila to wine to beer.”

  “Wine, please,” Kelly says.

  “I’m driving.”

  Rhys pouts but motions to the fridge, “there’s soda, water, and juice too. Help yourself.”

  “Should you be making that kind of offer in someone else’s house?” Kelly sounds apprehensive.

  I head to the fridge as Jamie says, “you have more manners than any of us, Kelly. Rhys practically lives here. We’re all friends, feel free to make yourself at home, please.” He goes back to what he was doing before stopping and looking up. “I’m sorry, this is my husband, Alex. Lex, this is Kelly. See? Terrible manners, our mom would not be pleased.”

  “Nice to meet you.”

  “You too. I would apologize in advance for Jamie and Rhys, but well, you work with them. Surely you know what you’re getting yourself into?”

  “They’re well behaved at work. Mostly.” I tease.

  Jamie throws a tomato at me. I laugh and dodge. “Go help Noah set the table since you apparently have nothing better to do.”

  Noah gets up from his seat and moves around the kitchen with ease, getting out what we need. We set the table quickly and efficiently and by the time we’re done the others are bringing in the food and drinks.

  Noah turns to his boyfriend, “Rhys, can you go get Riv, please.”

  “Sure thing.”

  I’m so used to River being quiet and unobtrusive, I didn’t even notice that she’s not in the room. Looking over to Noah for clarification he says, “she likes to hang out in Alex’s studio because it’s quiet.”

  Everyone takes a seat at the table and I almost moan at the sight and smells laid out in front of us.

  “Did you make the sauce?” I ask.

  “Lex did,” Jamie replies, scooping some of the shrimp alfredo onto his plate before passing it to me.

  “One thing I miss about living with you, Jame,” Rhys sighs.

  “You just use me for my food.” Jamie rolls his eyes. “Don’t act like you’re not here multiple times a week looking for handouts now that you have both Lex and I cooking.”

  “Excuse you.” Rhys places a hand on his chest, “I have a family to feed.”

  Noah snorts, “we all know that your idea of feeding us is ordering something, or coming over here.”

  “You should feel honored that I am willing to share my best friend and his husband’s cooking skills with you.” Rhys sticks out his tongue.

  Noah rolls his eyes. “My kid is more mature than you.”

  Rhys sniffs and flicks his hair out of his eyes, “you love me.”

  “I have no idea why.” Noah shakes his head but takes the bowl of pasta from Rhys and serves River before himself.

  “Maribelle would love this,” Bas says, “you have to give me the recipe.”

  “Sure,” Alex says, “James can text it over to you later if you want.”

  “I’m going to be the favorite sibling once I make this.” Bas smiles gleefully.

  “You’re evil.” I shake my head.

  They shrug and smile sweetly but there’s a glint in their eyes that is nothing but trouble. I just shake my head and enjoy the food, leaving the sibling wars to them and Maribelle.

  “Speaking of Maribelle,” Rhys says, “have you chosen what you’re putting on display yet?”

  I shake my head. “I have some ideas but I’m not sold on any of them yet.”

  “Let us know if you want help,” Jamie offers.

  “Thanks. I just need time. Now that y'all decided on the dates for your vacation it will make finalizing the schedule for the next month easier.”

  “Speaking of vacation, I put in my time off request with Dr. Linda today.”

  “Oh good,” Jamie replies to his husband. “I forgot to ask when you got home.”

  “You look lost,” Rhys tells Kelly. “Neil told you that we’re closing the studio the week after Thanksgiving, didn’t he?”

  I shake my head, “I just blocked it off before I left today, I didn’t have time.”

  “Oh. Every year we go on vacation in November. It was a thing Jamie and I started in college for my birthday. Now that we’re adults with families it’s a whole thing. Anyway, that’s a guaranteed vacation for you every year.”

  “Thanks I guess,” she says.

  “Don’t worry,” Bas pats her hand, “you get used to the crazy.”

  “No you won’t,” Noah throws in.

  Neil.

  It’s only Kelly and me in the studio. Everyone else has gone home, I just sent over the photos I want to use in the showcase to Maribelle, I close out my email trying not to freak out.

  Kelly comes to the front. “You done?”

  “Yeah, I didn’t realize that those stupid leaves got everywhere.”

  I snort, “Rookie mistake. Everyone learns the first time to keep those away from him. Also fairy lights. Fucker will tear those down in seconds if you’re not watching.”

  “I guess that's what happens when you let a glorified rat roam free.”

  I give her a look, “you do realize that he’s more than just a pet, right? He’s a certified ESA.”

  She huffs out a breath. “Anyone can claim that. Isn’t it easy to go online and fill out some kind of form?”

  I shake my head at her ignorance. “Rhys has a letter from his therapist and they worked together for months in choosing the perfect support for him. Oscar might be unconventional, but he has the energy and temperament that someone like Rhys needs. He’s also the sweetest creature there is and is very intune to the emotions of those around him.”

  She has the decency to look ashamed. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to sound so judgmental.”

  “It’s okay. I understand, if you’re not used to it, it can seem a bit strange. I don’t mean to make you feel bad. Just, be more conscious about what you say i
n the future, yeah? Jamie and Rhys are good people, but they don’t tolerate bigots.”

  “I will. Thanks. I don’t mean anything by the things I say, you know. My family just isn’t as...open to things like that.”

  “I get it, but it’s something you have to learn, especially if you're going to work here. We’re a family, and like all families, all people, we have our issues. No one is going to blame you for asking questions, just try to be kind about it.”

  “I can do that.”

  Grabbing my laptop I make sure everything at my desk is properly shut down and locked away before moving to the front. “You can go out this way if you want, before I lock it.”

  “That’s okay.”

  I shrug since it makes no difference to me. I lock the front doors before shutting down the lights and making my way to the back door so I can set the alarm.

  Kelly follows me as I double check that the office is locked and all the lights are shut off.

  She goes out the door first so I can do the alarm then I slip out and lock the back door.

  “So,” she says as we walk around the building to our cars. “Would you want to go out and get a drink, maybe some dinner?”

  “No thank you. I have plans already.”

  “Oh. Well, maybe some other time?”

  “You can join Bas and me next week if you want. They like you.”

  She stops walking and I follow suit. “I mean...just us, as more than friends maybe?”

  Even though it’s dark out, I know Kelly well enough by now to know that she’s blushing.

  “Oh, um,” I shift from foot to foot, unsure how to respond. “I’m kind of seeing someone.”

  Though that’s not true, is it? Matthias and I are just friends. Friends who kiss, but that’s all. It would be stupid of me to think it was anything more. I know he’s deeply closeted. I know he’s unable, or unwilling, to leave his bubble. One wrong move can and will send him running.

  Stupid heart. Idiotic feelings.

  They’re going to make me lose him before he’s ever really mine.

  “I’m sorry,” Kelly says, “I didn’t know you had a girlfriend, I’m such an idiot. I didn’t think-”

  “Hey, no it’s okay. You didn’t know. I don’t have a girlfriend.”

  “But you said-”

  “I said I was seeing someone.” I’m going to hell for even wishing that were true, “I didn’t say if it was a man or woman.”

  “So...you’re gay too?”

  “Pansexual actually. Not that it really matters.”

  Kelly barks out a harsh laugh, “doesn’t matter right? I just made an ass of myself but your sexual preference doesn’t matter?”

  “No,” I say slowly, “it doesn’t.”

  “Right,” she says, bitterly, “I’m the only one here who doesn’t fancy the same gender.”

  “Does that matter?” I ask cautiously.

  She sighs, “It wouldn’t if it didn’t appear that the only studio who doesn’t treat their interns and new hires like shit wasn’t so...” she waves her hand at me, as if that explains everything.

  “So our sexualities matter in the sense that you don’t want to work with a bunch of queers.

  She blinks, “yes. I mean no, ugh, I don’t know! I don’t know how to deal with it. Most of the people like you I’ve met haven’t been so open about it, we don’t exactly live in the most accepting place, you know. You’d think you would want to hide it better. Especially since Rhys is a little...out there.”

  “Stop,” I tell her, tone weary. “Just stop while you’re ahead. Let me clear a few things up for you before you go sticking your foot into your mouth further.”

  I hesitate before continuing, not sure how smart of an idea it is to say what I need to, but it’s better to get it all out now. “If I wasn’t already seeing someone,” I really need to stop saying that, “I wouldn’t turn you down.”

  “But you said.”

  “I said I’m pan. I like people, not gender.”

  How sheltered is she? I expect someone like Matthias to not know how broad the spectrum for sexuality is, not Kelly.

  “Look,” I run a hand through my curls, “I’m flattered, and maybe under different circumstances I would say yes. But not with this attitude. I don’t wanna be that guy, but I need to tell Jamie and Rhys, I’m not doing it to be a dick but this,” I throw a hand out to encompass the studio, “is a safe place for us all. The last thing any of us needs is someone coming in and disrespecting that.

  “I like you and I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt this time, but don’t let it happen again.”

  “I understand, do what you need to. I’m sorry. I really am. I swear I’m not a judgemental bitch.”

  “Okay. Prove it then.”

  “I will.”

  I nod. “I won’t say anything else then and we’ll pretend this didn’t happen.”

  “Sounds good to me. I’ll see you Tuesday.”

  ***

  Sitting across the table from Matthias I have to wonder what this is. We’re friends, yes. Friends who kiss sometimes, yes. But I don’t have many friends who would appreciate a home cooked meal as much as Matthias is right now.

  He found the idea of my cooking to be a novelty. Which is mind-blowing. Ms. Laura, my last foster mom, made sure that the three of us could survive on our own. She might not have agreed with our lifestyles as she called them but she didn’t let that get in the way of her giving us the tools to thrive.

  “This is really good.”

  I shrug, “it’s nothing special.” And it’s not. Spaghetti with Bas’s homemade sauce, garlic bread, and a salad. Nothing like the meal I had at Jamie and Alex’s last night.

  “I can’t even boil water, let alone make something edible.”

  “Really?”

  He shrugs, “never learned. Marta is rather...closed minded and didn’t think that Jamie and I needed to learn anything other than how to order a servant around. Not that she cooks herself, mind you.”

  I file that information away for later. “You called him Jamie.”

  “It’s time, don’t you think? He’s always hated his first name. If I want to try to forge any type of relationship with him in the future, it’s time I use the name he prefers.”

  I nod in agreement.

  “I talked to Alex last week.”

  “You did?” I’m in shock. He obviously didn’t tell Jamie because I didn’t hear anything about it. Rhys and Jamie aren’t quiet when they go on a tirade about Matthias.

  “Yeah. He said I need to get Rhys on my side if I stand any chance of getting Jamie to talk to me.”

  I cringe. Easier said than done there. Rhys can hold a grudge.

  My expression makes him grin. “Yeah, so that’s another thing I have to do. I didn’t expect things to be easy, but I have no idea how I’m going to do that. I don’t expect him to trust me, I just need him to listen.”

  “Hey,” I reach across the table and grab his hand. “It’ll be okay. You don’t know what will happen until you try.”

  He threads his fingers through mine and gives me a small smile. “Thank you. I appreciate you more than you know.”

  I give his hand a squeeze. “Whatever you need, you know that.”

  Matthias leans over the table and kisses me soft and chaste. The ease in which he does that makes my heart flutter. Stupid feelings rising up in my chest, just waiting for the chance to explode.

  Pulling back, he searches my face. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing’s wrong, per se. Just…” I shrug. “Some feelings.”

  “What kind of feelings?”

  “Stupid ones.”

  His eye brows furrow. “I doubt your feelings are stupid. We’re friends, aren’t we? This should be a two-way street. Just because I have a million issues doesn’t mean that you can’t burden me with yours.”

  Who is this guy? Where’s the asshole from a few weeks ago? This caring guy, who kisses me like I’m special, who hol
ds my hand like it’s no big deal. I have no defense against him.

  “The new girl asked me out tonight.”

  “Did you want to go out with her?” he asks, “we could have rescheduled.”

  “No,” I take a breath. “She didn’t want to go as friends.”

  “Oh,” he removes his hand from mine and something inside me goes cold. “What’d you tell her?”

  “I...I told her I had someone else.”

  “And do you?”

  “You tell me.”

  Matthias.

  Well fuck.

  I walked myself right into that one, didn’t I?

  We said we were friends who kissed, but what does that really mean? Neil said he has stupid feelings. Does that mean he doesn’t want to have feelings for me?

  I haven’t made things easy for him so I don’t blame him for thinking that way, but it’s an unexpected blow.

  That jars me. Do I want him to be sure of his feelings for me? Do I have feelings for him?

  I grip the edge of the table, bowing my head, I take a few deep breaths. The thing is, I do feel something for him. More than friendship. With every kiss it feels as though a flame ignites inside me and I don't know what to do with it, but I do know that I don't want to put it out.

  “I’m sorry,” Neil says quietly, “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

  “You didn’t.” Looking up I find his dark eyes filled with worry. “Surprised, yeah, but I’m not uncomfortable.”

  “What are you saying?” he whispers.

  I swallow, “I don’t mind if you feel things for me-”

  “Stupid things,” he butts in.

  I smile a little, “Right, the feelings are stupid, but I don’t mind that you have them. Because I might have some for you too.”

  He freezes. “You better not be fucking with me.”

  “Never. I might be a dick but I’m not a liar.”

  He shoves away from the table. “So what? What do you want to do about it? What good is any of this?”

  “Go on a date with me.”

  “What?” he breathes.