Thawed Out (Merry Everything #4)

Chapter 7

7

F lynn pulled off at the bottom of the access road, and Kiran followed into the little parking lot willingly. The drive down hadn’t been as bad as he’d feared, but it wasn’t easy either. Not for him anyway. Flynn had made it look easy, leading him around corners and keeping his speed in check, and the next thing he knew, they’d made it.

He trusted Flynn more than anyone else in his life, and Flynn earned it again and again. He wasn’t sure what to think of himself now. Surely he would have changed his mind before their court date. Maybe at mediation or maybe in the middle of a lonely night. Maybe Flynn would have put up more of a fight about him, not just the kids.

Maybe. Hopefully. But it didn’t matter now.

They only stopped long enough for Flynn to check on him and get a hug – so fucking sweet—and then they were on the road again.

He decided he should call Mom to let her know and give her an ETA.

“Are you okay? Is Flynn? Where are you? What do you need from me? What can I do? Why are you two keeping that damn cabin?”

Jesus. What was up? She’d been cool as a cucumber yesterday. He decided not to answer the ridiculous questions, like why keep the cabin. She probably wouldn’t understand the answers anyway. “Hi, Mom. We’re fine. We just made it down the mountain, so we’re maybe an hour away after we shop. I wanted to give you an ETA.”

Her snort was epic. Epic . “Uh-huh. If you think for one second that is all you’re going to say to me now that the children are with their grandfather, and I’m cooking like a fiend, you’ve lost your damn mind.”

“Flynn and I are back together. Doesn’t that make you happy? What else would you like me to say? What are you cooking? I can’t wait.” Surely that would distract her, right?

“I would like you to tell me what you two said to one another that ended almost a year of pain and sorrow and upheaval.”

“I know, I hear you. But it’s not even what was said, you know? I mean, we said some things, sure. We fought first and then we listened, but Mom, you have to see him. He’s skinny and exhausted…he looks like a ghost. And he loves the kids so much.”

“You can’t fix him, baby. You know that. You can’t make him not a workaholic or a people pleaser.”

It wasn’t a fixing issue. It was, well, at the end of the day it was a money issue. “He’s not a workaholic. And what’s wrong with wanting to make his family happy?” He didn’t understand. Why couldn’t Mom be as happy as he was?

“Nothing. I’m tickled to death. You know I love Flynn like he was my own?—”

There was a but coming. There was always a but, with that tone.

“—But I worry that things aren’t really fixed, just ignored.”

“It’s not that they’re fixed so much as, it’s…we’re on the same page finally, you know? We figured it out. I know what he needs, and he knows what I need. Now we just have to be more mindful and not make the same mistakes again.” That was right. Mindful. Respectful. “We need to communicate better. We know it’s not perfect yet.”

Flynn could do it; he knew his husband wanted this more than anything. Flynn could talk more, not hide things, right?

“I’m just scared. You’ve been so unhappy, and the kids are just now settling, but… God, baby, I hope you’re right. I’ve been wishing hard for this. You two are meant to be together, but you’re both so…”

He frowned. “Both so what?”

“Stubborn. You’re both just bullheaded as hell.”

He sighed loud enough he knew his mother heard it. “Whatever, Mom.” Sure, they both could be stubborn, but who couldn’t?

“It’s true. And you both have to figure this out. Together. You both have to give and take.”

“We’re working on it. We were stuck in a cabin for two days withing nothing to do but talk, Mom.” Well, talk and make love, but Mom didn’t need the details.

“Uh-huh…”

“Mom!”

“What? I’m not stupid.”

“Fine. But that wasn’t all of it. And we are married, you know.” Was he supposed to be listening to this? Questioning what he and Flynn had already worked out?

“I’m glad you two finally remembered that.” She chuckled softly. “And I’m making jalapeno popper dip. Flynn loves it.”

His sigh was relieved this time. “He really does. Thanks, Mom, I appreciate it. And please don’t worry. We’re going to be okay. Better even. I promise.”

“It’s my job. Are you two shopping? If you are, can you pick up some pecans and some rum for me?”

“We are and we will.” He knew what that meant. Pie. He loved pie. “Need anything else? We’re probably going to run to Target too.”

“Uh…crayons and coloring books. Pajamas that match for you two. Something for your father’s stocking.”

“I’m on it.” He winced a little at the pajamas—of course she wouldn’t have bought any since Flynn wasn’t coming. They’d have fun picking them out. “Love you, Mom. See you soon.”

“Be careful. Love you.” She hung up and he took a deep breath. Lord, she was a firecracker, but she had his best interests at heart.

Flynn moved into the left lane, and he followed. “Good Idea, baby,” he said out loud. “Let’s get home already.”

“Hey, Dad.” Flynn had a headache that would not quit.

“Hey. What’s wrong? You sound like shit. Should we drive up?” His folks were in Glenwood, and he didn’t need them driving in this storm, even if it was just a couple hours.

“No. No. I—I’m getting back together with Kiren.” With his husband.

The long pause before Dad answered spoke volumes. “O—kay.”

“I know. He came to the cabin. He threw the divorce papers in the fire. He says he wants to try again, and I want to too. Tell me I’m not stupid.”

“You’re not stupid. But are you thinking clearly? A grand gesture and a lot of talk doesn’t earn someone forgiveness.”

“No.” And he hadn’t expected to get it, but—“I love him. I want my family back. I want my kids every day. I want to go home.”

“You do know that I meant it doesn’t earn him your forgiveness, right? You have been doing everything you can for those kids. You’re working your ass off. Don’t be a pushover, Flynn. He needs to prove he deserves for you to come back.”

“I’m not a pushover. What good am I doing any of us like it is? I hate it. I want to try. We’ll do therapy or whatever, but I miss my life.” And he didn’t want to do this anymore. He didn’t want to be a single dad.

“I get it. But you’re so —and he’s so —” Dad sighed. “You know. But I like him. You know I do.”

“I do too. I just want him to try and have my back for a few more months.” He just needed Kiren to believe in him, to trust him.

“I hope he can. Your mother, and I just want you to be happy. And you know how we feel about those kids. I’m rooting for you, kid.”

“Good. Just…pray for me, huh? I need all the help I can get.”

“Every day. We miss you. Merry Christmas, son.”

“Merry Christmas Eve, Dad. We’ll call tomorrow, okay?”

“And we’ll come up for New Years. It’ll be fun.”

He nodded as if Dad could see him. “It will. Love you, Old Man.”

“Shut up, son. Be careful. Text me when you’re home.”

“Yes, sir.” He hung up and grinned. His dad always said that, and he said it to the kids every time they left with Kiran. Maybe he wouldn’t have to do it anymore.