Chapter 21
Michael
Game night at the Jacksons’ house has always been one of my favorites. It’s loud, chaotic, and always hilarious.
Vivi loses spectacularly at every game despite her efforts. Addie’s mom, Hope, usually wins, and I follow closely behind her, especially if it’s a strategy-based game.
The first few times I joined them, I thought they were letting me win. I learned pretty quickly that the Jacksons do not go easy on anyone during game night.
Sometimes I felt like I was looking at a zoo exhibit or something.
They were the perfect example of a family unit: a mom and dad in a loving relationship and the kids who got along with only the occasional sibling argument.
I loved and envied it. None of them would ever know what it was like to have parents betray you.
They’d never feel the gnawing hunger after days of being denied food.
I was glad they wouldn’t know that hurt.
But I was also jealous.
It took a lot of conversations with my therapist to stop feeling guilty about that jealousy. Why wouldn’t I feel jealous of what a happy family is supposed to look like?
The thing she always reminded me of was that I was a part of that family. I had incredible parents who loved me with their whole selves. I was also a part of the Jacksons’ family. They always invited me to participate in their events as if they knew I needed all the extra family I could get.
It took years not only to accept my place in the family but to believe I belonged there.
I’m elbow-deep in soapy water when Addie’s dad saunters in with his trademark grin. Uncle Levi is always happy. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him look cross about anything. There was disappointment when our friend group made some questionable choices, but never anger.
It was one of the many things I loved about hanging out with Ryan’s family.
“Hey, son. You doing okay?” Levi leans back against the counter, his arms and legs crossed in a relaxed pose.
I keep working on the dishes. “I’m fine. Ready for the summer tourist season to be over.”
“Cooper always says the same thing,” he says about his brother, our police chief.
“It gets worse every year. I’m grateful the town is thriving, but it’s a pain in the ass to deal with all the people.”
“It’s a blessing and a curse. Hope and Ryan are run ragged in the summers, but it provides a great cushion in the winter when it slows down.”
We’re quiet for a bit as I continue sloshing dishes around in the water. Uncle Levi moves to my other side to start drying the ones I’ve finished. I’ve never known him to stand still for longer than a few minutes at a time.
Once we’ve emptied the sink, he holds out a can of Coke to me. Everyone else was shooed out earlier when I offered to clean the kitchen. Their laughter floats down the hallway from the living room. I love that sound.
“Anything on your mind?”
My gaze flies to Uncle Levi’s. Does he know something about me and Addie? He gives me a look that answers that question. Of course he fucking does. He knows his kids better than anyone.
He confirms my suspicion before I can ask.
“Addie has always worn her heart on her sleeve. It wasn’t hard to put two and two together when she started spending evenings out late and being cagey about the details.
Not to mention the fact that three of you showed up together when Ryan only left to get you. ”
I bite my lip, too afraid to look him in the eye. “Are you mad?”
“What? Mad? Why the hell would I be mad?”
I shrug, feeling like that teenager getting into trouble again.
“Michael.”
His tone makes me look him in the eyes.
“I couldn’t be happier for the two of you. There’s not a single other man on this Earth more perfect for Adalaide.”
Tears sting my eyes for the second time today. Who knew the Jackson boys would be my undoing? “Thanks. I hope I can make you proud.”
“You already do.” He gently taps my arm before leaving me to get my emotions under wraps. It’s a hell of a lot harder than it should be.
I thought I’d moved past needing the acceptance of our family. In fact, I would’ve told anyone that I was perfectly happy with my life and my place here.
Until Uncle Levi and Ryan just proved me a liar.
I hadn’t realized I’d been stuck on needing Addie’s family’s approval. I think I was holding back with her because I didn’t want to get my hopes up. There was a little voice in the back of my head that whispered, What if?
What if Ryan stopped talking to me because I betrayed his trust?
What if I caused a rift between Addie and her family?
What if Uncle Levi and Aunt Hope never spoke to me again?
With just a few words, Levi and Ryan have laid those fears to bed.
Once I’ve got my emotions in check, I walk down the hallway to where the whole family has piled onto the huge sectional in their living room.
Addie pulls back the blanket to show me they left a spot for me to join. I sit down and throw my arm across the back of the couch.
To my right, Vivi gasps. “Are you two a couple? Like for real this time?”
“What the hell does that mean?” Addie counters.
“We’ve all been waiting for this moment, and I thought maybe you’d get together when y’all were back in high school, but then nothing actually happened, so then I was sad, but nowwwww…”
“Jesus.” Addie rolls her eyes while I bark out a laugh.
“Yes. Fine. We’re a couple, but I swear if you guys go and blab it to the family, I’ll punch you.
We don’t need the whole world knowing we’re together.
We’d like time to navigate this relationship on our own without any of you nosy Nellies getting in the middle of it. ”
“But—”
Levi wraps a hand around Vivi’s mouth. “We promise not to say anything until you’re both ready to tell everyone.”
Vivi visibly deflates but nods her head.
Aunt Hope presses play, and the credits begin to roll. Adalaide lays her hands on top of the blanket before she leans over to put her head on my chest.
I fucking love her.
The way she’s accepted and accommodated my triggers without a single misstep is incredible. I’ve never met another woman like her. Even in the kink community, some of the subs have a hard time with the no-touching rule. They don’t purposely do it; they just don’t try to remember.
Addie is careful at all times.
I hate that she has to be, and I hope one day she won’t, but for now, while we’re still getting to know each other as more than friends, I appreciate the effort.
There’s got to be something I can do to show her what that means to me. She’s not materialistic—she’d much rather have something meaningful than something expensive. I love that about her, but it makes giving her gifts a whole lot more difficult. Maybe she’s an acts-of-service type of girl.
Dad taught me about love languages when I was a kid after I’d asked why he was always doing stuff for Mom.
I should already know this about Addie, but I made it my mission not to pay too close attention to her. If I had, I only would’ve fallen harder and ended up heartbroken. Now I’m suffering the consequences.
Since Ryan knows Addie and I are together, he can help me learn everything about her.
It’s time to get a crash course in loving Adalaide.