Page 12 of Jet

“He felt what I felt. I don’t know why he ran, but I know he will want to be found.”

“Booker-”

“No more Booker-ing me. I will find him.” I stand up, about to storm off, when my mom rushes in the door with Reed following behind with a lot less urgency.

“Booker, is Kenny back?” She asks, bouncing on her toes.

“I don’t know, I just got in. Are you okay?” I look her over and then look at Reed, who just rolls their eyes.

“She’s fine. Dad went to see his new son today over in Humberton, so she’s excited.” He sounds anything but.

“I made him a wash bag,” she beams proudly.

“Just…just a wash bag?” I ask with caution.

She throws her hands in the air. “I know what you’re thinking, Booker. I don’t even know if he owns a dildo. I still think there is nothing wrong with a personalized dildo cover.”

“Mom, you’re right, there isn’t,” I start. “But making one for your son, without him knowing, is crossing boundaries.”

“How do I know I’m crossing a boundary if you’ve never told me about it before?”

“Valid,” Jet pipes up. I shoot him a dirty look.

“Sex toys belonging to your adult child being off limits are an automatic boundary.”

“Well, I am sorry, I didn’t realize.” She crosses her arms. “Does this mean the butt plug warmer I made is inappropriate?”

I choke on air. My mother is going to kill me, I swear. She smirks, and I know she is just fucking with me.

I shake my head and smile back.

It’s been nearly twenty years since we ran away from my piece-of-shit biological father. She’s smiled plenty in the time since, but there is still a part of me that smiles because she’s smiling.

“You two are ridiculous.” Reed rolls their eyes and heads towards the games room.

“Is he okay?”

“They’re feeling a bit unsettled with suddenly having another brother.”

“Shit, I’ll hang out with him later,” I promise her.

“You’re a good boy,” she says, pulling me into a hug. I will never say no to a mom hug.

“Have you heard from Kenny?” I ask as the man himself bursts through the doors.

“Does no one in your family open doors like a normal fucking person?” Jonas says, walking past me and behind the reception desk.

“Stella, I met him. I met my boy. He looks like the spitting image of my pops fifty years ago.” Kenny says, running over to us and lifting Mom in a bear hug before twirling her. “He rides a Harley Cruiser he has a best friend called Max, he’s gay, and he is going to come and stay and get to know us all.”

I can’t help smiling like an idiot. Kenny deserves all the good things, and it sounds like Nicky is an excellent thing.

“When’s he coming?” Rex asks.

“Monday,” Kenny replies before turning to me. “I want to give him the room next to yours to stay in if that’s okay? I’d like you to look out for him while he’s here.”

“Of course. I’ll take good care of him.”

Kenny is the best judge of character. If he likes someone, you know they’ll be good people.

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