Chapter Ten
Gayle
My stomach is a mess of nerves as I wait for a knock at the door. I pace the kitchen, trying to still my racing heart. That’s how Calloway finds me.
“Dad,” he says slowly, leaning against the counter, giving me an unimpressed look. “Stop pacing, you’ll walk a hole into the floor.”
“Sorry,” I murmur, halting my steps. I turn on the sink, drizzling soap in it and starting to scrub it even though I already know it’s clean. I have to do something.
“Dad,” he says again, this time laughing. “You have to stop. You’re gonna make me anxious if you keep this up.”
“Shit,” I say right away, rinsing the suds away. I grab the kitchen towel, drying my hands. “Sorry. I don’t even know why I’m so nervous. You’ve literally already met him before, at the candy store.”
“That’s true. He wasn’t your boyfriend though. It’s no big deal. Really. We’re just gonna hang out and watch a movie together.”
“Are you sure you’re okay with him staying the night? If you’d rather it just be us before you’re off to camp, I won’t be upset.”
“I’m sure,” he says with a sigh. We’ve had this conversation like four times already.
Today. He’s probably ready to bonk me over the head.
“I promise I’ll tell you if anything is weird, but I think this is good.
I want to get to know Rodney in real life instead of listening to him on stream.
Plus, you mentioned he wouldn’t mind showing me the whole nesting thing and we can’t really do that unless he’s here. Right?”
“You’re right,” I say, rubbing my face with my hands. “I’m sorry I’m being all anxious about it. I really want you to like him but I also don’t wanna put any weird expectations on you.”
This time, Calloway grabs the towel and uses it to whack me. He smiles. “He means a lot to you. I can’t decide if it’s cute or if I’m totally grossed out because you’re my dad.”
I pinch him in retaliation and just like that, some of the worries fade away. Perfect timing because just then, there’s a knock on the door.
With a shaky breath, I walk over to the front door, opening it up for Rodney. He smiles down at me, his silver eyes lighting up. Just having him here soothes something inside of me.
“Hi, Gayle,” he says softly, stepping inside and pulling me into a tight hug. I fit just under his chin. I breathe him in, my entire body relaxing as I get that warm, fresh laundry scent. It washes over me, warming me from the inside out.
“I’m glad you’re here,” I breathe out, pulling back so I can look into Rodney’s eyes.
“Me too,” he says before ducking down and stealing a quick kiss. “Sorry, I just wanted one little kiss before we get inside.”
“You can have as many as you’d like.”
“Big words when we’re about to be in front of your teenage son.”
I groan, pulling back all the way and walking deeper into the house. Rodney chuckles behind me. “Don’t remind me. I’ve been nervous about this meeting all day.”
“Oh yeah? Good thing I’m great with kids,” Rodney says, puffing out his chest. When we get into the living room, he waves at Calloway. “Hello, fellow youngin!”
Calloway stares at him for a long moment before looking over at me. “I take back what I said. He’s exactly how he acts on stream. I’m leaving.”
Rodney cracks up, laughing so hard he’s holding onto the back of the couch for support. “I’m sorry, but I had to! Kei bet me to say that and Rin said I didn’t have the balls to embarrass myself in front of you. My pride was on the line!”
“You still think you have pride left?”
Rodney clutches his chest. “Oh my gods. You can never meet Kei. The two of you would destroy the world with your sass.”
I take Rodney’s backpack, bringing it to my bedroom while he chats with Calloway. Something inside of me flits into place, like the last piece of a puzzle, creating a beautiful picture now that it’s all together.
Calloway is my favorite person ever. Sure, he’s my kid and it’s my job to think he farts rainbows but there’s more than that. He’s a good person. He’s smart and kind and funny. I love being his parent. I love that I get to take care of him. It feels like a privilege.
Watching Calloway get along with Rodney is making me want to lie down and cry with joy. They get along. All the worries of the day wash away, leaving behind a rightness I didn’t dare hope for.
Gods. I like Rodney so much. It’s like a wave, getting ready to crest. It’s building higher and higher and eventually, I know it’ll all come down around me. It won’t just be like, it’ll be love. I don’t know if I’m ready but love waits for no man. All I can do is brace for impact.
When I get back into the living room, Rodney has already pulled blankets out of the closet, showing Calloway all the best ways to roll them up and where best to place what.
Calloway explains how scent is super important and Rodney takes that into consideration as they construct a nest together in the living room.
My chest feels like it may actually split open with how many emotions I’m feeling right now. Calloway needed this. He needed someone who understands nesting, to show him the ropes, to encourage this side of him. I love that Rodney can be that person.
As they work on sorting that, I go into the kitchen and start making a couple plates of loaded nachos. This all feels so domestic in the most wonderful way. I’m so overwhelmed by how happy I am.
Arms wrap around my middle from behind and I barely contain a yelp of surprise. Lips touch the back of my neck and I sink against Rodney’s chest.
“Hi,” he whispers against my skin.
“Hi,” I say back, pouring melted cheese over the chips. “Is the nest ready?”
Rodney hums, the sound vibrating against my back. I tilt my head slightly and I can feel Rodney smile against my skin before he’s peppering the exposed area with barely there kisses. My skin pebbles with goosebumps, my stomach warming with affection.
“What do you want on your nachos?”
“I wish I could say you,” he says with a pout. I shake my head, bumping my elbow against his stomach. “I guess I’ll take cheese, meat, sour cream, and tomatoes.”
I fill up his plate before handing it over. Rodney takes the plate and trades it for a little kiss.
I could get used to this.
I fill up a plate for Calloway and myself before heading into the living room. I hand it over, sitting where he directs me.
The nest is nice! It’s not exactly like the one Rodney made for just the two of us. I can see all the places Calloway put himself into it. There are clothes from all three of us present along the sides, the mix of scents doing something to my insides.
“This is lovely,” I tell them both. “Thank you.”
Calloway’s cheeks turn pink but Rodney just looks up at me with a grin. I have one of them on each side of me. Their scents mix with my own in the nest until we smell like a family unit. I like this more than words could ever say.
“This is delicious,” Rodney says, digging into his nachos. “Thank you for cooking, Gayle.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Wow,” Calloway says, sitting up and looking across me at Rodney. “You didn’t even try the guacamole? I made that.”
“You can cook? I didn’t think kids could use knives.”
Calloway sputters. “I’m sixteen!”
“A baby,” Rodney says, nodding his head.
“I’ll show you a baby,” Calloway says and then he shakes his head. “I don’t even know what I mean by that!”
Rodney and I chuckle. “Let me try some,” Rodney says, picking up a chip and dipping it across Calloway’s nachos. He eats the chip and moans. “Okay, yeah. That’s the good stuff.”
Rodney climbs out of the nest, going back to the kitchen to add some of the homemade guacamole to his plate. I look over at Calloway who’s already looking at me.
“I told you it would be fine,” Calloway says, rolling his eyes at me. He’s such a brat. I love him so much.
“Yeah, yeah. Don’t be such a brat.”
“You love me even when I’m a brat. I think that says more about you than me.”
I kiss the top of his head before pinching his side. He hisses at me, pretending like he’s going to bite me. We end up laughing when Rodney gets back.
We finish our nachos quickly, putting our plates away before I start pulling up a movie for us to watch. Rodney hasn’t gotten back into the nest yet, standing off to the side looking nervous. He’s chewing his bottom lip and wringing his hands.
“What?” Calloway finally asks. “Just ask your question before you get your anxiety scent in the nest.”
“Sorry,” he says with a wince. “I brought my coat with, in case you wanted to watch the movie in a shifted pile?”
“Oh,” I breathe out, looking over at Calloway. “It’s been a while since we’ve done that. Would you like to?”
Calloway thinks about it for a moment before nodding. “Yeah, that sounds nice. Especially because I’ll be gone,” he says with a grin. He’s so excited for his week-long camping trip. Being in our shifted form together will help us feel closer before he leaves.
Calloway and I walk into our bedrooms, Rodney following behind me.
He digs into the bag he’s brought, pulling out a gorgeous coat that looks like leather but instead of black, it’s white.
There are feathers around the collar and the buttons and zippers appear to be made of crystal. It’s one of a kind.
“That’s so gorgeous,” I tell him, wonder clear in my voice.
“Thanks,” he says shyly. “I can customize it as much as I want. This is just how it looks right now. For a while, it was a giant, bright yellow patch-work parka. Then it was a raincoat. Then for a bit I was obsessed with this fictional character who wore a trench coat so my coat looked exactly like their coat. Now, it’s like this. ”
“That’s so cool,” I say with a grin. “Put it on. I wanna see it on you.”
Rodney nods his head and slides into his coat. It looks amazing on him, fitting just right. I grab the lapels, pulling him into a quick kiss before stepping back.