Chapter 9
Kyle
“Kyle, darling, buy whatever you want. If you’re happy, then I’m happy.” James gently strokes my cheek then presses his lips to mine.
When I met James at the gym six months ago, I thought we’d just go out on a few dates and that would be it.
I’d only just gotten my life back on track—my mental health was finally stable, and I’d secured my dream job as a paramedic.
At first it was just sexual attraction—he’s confident, mature, and yeah, he has a banging body—but now it’s turned into so much more.
He’s opened my eyes to experiences I never thought were possible for me and I couldn’t be happier with my new life of expensive restaurants, weekend getaways, and endless gifts. So happy, in fact, that I officially moved into James’s luxury city apartment just over a month ago.
The sales assistant recommends I try on the Tom Ford suit I’ve been admiring and why the hell not? If James gets a kick out of spoiling me, then who am I to say no?
“Okay,” I say, squeezing James’s hand. “I’ll try it on.”
“Perfect choice, you can wear it to the gala on Saturday night.”
“Saturday? Fuck, I thought you said it was Friday. I told Natalie I’d help her on Saturday. I gave her my word.”
James scowls as the sales assistant discreetly slips away with the suit.
“Kyle, I need you by my side at the Gala. I told you six weeks ago. Can’t you help Natalie another day?
That family of yours always needs you for something.
Always looking for a handout. But I need you too, darling.
What will happen if we get married and have kids?
Are you going to ignore our children to help one of your siblings with their endless dramas? ”
My jaw drops. Married? Kids? All I’ve ever wanted was to have a family of my own. “But we’re gay,” I say, frowning in confusion. “We can’t get married.”
James flicks his hand as if shooing away a fly. “You know what I mean. Have some sort of ceremony. A wedding, even if it’s not legal. It’s the meaning behind it that matters.”
“Are you sayin’ you wanna fuckin’ marry me?” The thought of James wanting to make a commitment to me and raise children together sparks a kind of hope I’ve never felt before. An embarrassingly goofy smile spreads across my face.
“It’s what I hope for someday soon. If you’ll have me, that is.
” James cups my jaw, his thumb caressing my bottom lip.
“Kyle, the last six months have been the best months of my life, all because of you. You know how much I love you. But, darling, you do need to stop swearing so often, and, as I’ve told you before, you need to pronounce your words correctly. ”
“Of course. I’m sorry, I forgot. I was just excited.” I’ve been trying really hard not to sound like a kid from the Pines, because the last thing I want to do is embarrass James in front of his friends and family. I’m getting better, but I still slip up sometimes.
“It’s fine darling, just remember you’re a lawyer’s partner now and you move in different circles. Now, go ahead and try on the suit.” James winks. “I’ll be there to help you in a minute.”
A few minutes later we’re making out in the changeroom. Thirty minutes later I walk out of the store with my brand-new Tom Ford suit.
Later that day, I call my sister to let her know I can’t make it on Saturday but can swing by on Sunday instead. We fight and she tells me not to bother if I’ve forgotten what it means to be a Davies.
She kind of hits the nail on the head because I don’t want to be a Davies anymore.
I’m so done with being poor. Visiting my family home is nothing but a reminder of how fucked up my childhood was, and, with Bren gone, there’s nothing left for me in the Pines.
My future is in front of me, with James.
A man who wants to marry me and start a family.
A man who has wealth, and class, and treats me like I’m someone.
It’s an easy decision—I attend the gala.