Chapter 29 #2
I looked down at the lease again, tracing our names printed side by side. Kent Gallagher and James Bennet. Not stepbrothers anymore. Just two people who had somehow found their way to each other despite everything.
“I like this place,” I said finally. “It feels like... a fresh start.”
Hope flickered in Kent’s eyes. “Is that a yes? You’ll give me another chance?”
“It’s a maybe,” I clarified. “I need time, Kent. I can’t just forget what happened.”
“I understand,” he nodded, disappointment visible on his face though he tried to hide it. “I’ll wait as long as you need. I’m not going anywhere this time.”
I reached up, covering his hand with mine where it rested against my cheek. “But I’m willing to try,” I added softly. “Because these past two weeks without you have been hell.”
Kent’s smile was like the sun breaking through clouds. “That’s all I’m asking for. A chance to try.”
Before I could respond, he leaned in slowly, giving me plenty of time to pull away. But I didn’t. Instead, I met him halfway, our lips coming together in a kiss that felt like forgiveness, like possibility, like the beginning of something real.
When we broke apart, I rested my forehead against his. “You’re going to have to work for this,” I warned. “I’m not going to make it easy.”
He laughed, the sound warm and genuine. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
“And we’re splitting the rent evenly,” I added. “I don’t care if you make more money than me.”
“Done,” he agreed immediately.
“And no more secrets,” I said, my voice turning serious. “No more hiding. If we do this, we do it openly.”
Kent pulled back slightly so he could look me in the eyes. “No more secrets,” he promised. “I’m done being ashamed of the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
I couldn’t help but smile at that. “You’re just trying to butter me up.”
“No, it’s true.” He pressed another quick kiss to my lips. “I love you, James. I think I have for a long time, even when I was too stupid to recognize it.”
“I love you too,” I admitted. “God help me.”
A knock at the door interrupted us. “Is it safe to come in?” Mom called through the door. “Are both of you still alive?”
Kent and I exchanged a glance, both of us grinning like teenagers caught making out. “Yeah, it’s safe,” I called back.
Mom poked her head in, taking in our joined hands and close proximity with obvious satisfaction. “So? What do you think of the place?”
I looked at Kent, who was watching me with such naked adoration that it made my heart skip. “I think,” I said slowly, “that we’ll take it.”
Her smile was radiant. “I was hoping you’d say that. The moving truck with your stuff arrives tomorrow.”
“Wait, what?” I blinked at her. “You already arranged for my stuff to be moved?”
She shrugged, not looking remotely guilty. “Kent was very convincing about his chances of persuading you.”
I turned to Kent with raised eyebrows. “Pretty confident, weren’t you?”
“Not confident,” he corrected. “Desperate. And willing to do whatever it took.”
“Including enlisting my mother as your co-conspirator?”
“She was surprisingly easy to convince,” Kent admitted. “Especially after I told her everything.”
That pulled me up short. “Everything?”
Mom stepped fully into the room now. “Yes, James. Everything. Including how you two fell in love, how Kent panicked, and how he’s been trying to make things right ever since.”
“And you’re... okay with this?” I asked cautiously.
“Honey, all I’ve ever wanted is for you to be happy,” she said, her expression soft. “And despite everything, I can see that Kent makes you happy. Plus,” she added with a mischievous glint in her eye, “now that I’m divorced, he’s not your stepbrother anymore. Just the man you love.”
I felt my cheeks heat at her bluntness. “Mom...”
“What? I’m just stating facts.” She looked between us, her smile widening. “Now, who’s hungry? I made reservations at an Italian place nearby to celebrate.”
Kent looked at me, a question in his eyes. Are we celebrating?
I squeezed his hand in answer. Yes. Yes, we are.
“Dinner sounds great,” I told Mom. “Just give us a minute?”
She nodded, understanding immediately. “I’ll wait in the car. Don’t take too long or we’ll lose our reservation,” Mom finished, disappearing through the doorway.
As soon as she was gone, Kent turned to me fully, both hands now holding mine.
“I can’t believe you did all this,” I said, still trying to process everything. “The townhouse, telling your dad, the support group...”
“I would’ve done more if I could,” Kent replied, his thumbs tracing circles on my wrists. “I was ready to stand outside your apartment with a boombox if I had to.”
I laughed, the sound coming easier than it had in weeks. “God, you’re such a cliché.”
“Only for you.” His expression turned serious. “I meant what I said, James. I love you. And I’m not running anymore.”
I looked around the room… our room, and tried to imagine waking up here with Kent every morning, building a life together in this space. It was terrifying and exhilarating all at once.
“I’m still mad at you,” I warned him, though there wasn’t much heat behind it anymore. I grabbed him by the collar, pulling him close. “You’re so fucking stupid, Kent.”
Then I kissed him.
But this kiss was different from the first. It was deeper, more certain. Kent’s arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me against him like he was afraid I’d disappear if he let go. I melted into him, my body remembering exactly how perfectly we fit together.
When we broke apart, I was breathless. “For the record,” I said against his lips, “You’re still on my shit list.”
Kent’s smile was brilliant enough to light up the room. “Is that so?”
“Yeah,” I nodded. “So, you better do a good job fucking me tonight to make up for it.”
His cheeks flushed, but he just held me tighter. “I think I can do that.”
We stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms in what would soon be our bedroom, and for the first time in weeks, I felt whole again. The hurt wasn’t gone completely, it would take time to heal those wounds, but the love that had brought us together in the first place was stronger.
Mom honked the car horn outside, breaking the moment.
“We should go,” Kent said reluctantly, releasing me. “Before she comes back up here and drags us out.”
As we headed toward the car where my mom waited, I couldn’t help but think about how far we’d come. From the bullied kid and his tormentor to this. Two men building a life together and choosing each other against all odds.
It wouldn’t be perfect. We’d have fights and misunderstandings. We’d have to face people who wouldn’t understand or accept us. But looking at Kent beside me, his hand warm in mine and his face lit with a joy I’d never seen before, I knew one thing with absolute certainty.
It would be worth it.