Page 41 of The Prodigal Son

Doctor Lucas Goode changing a diaper will never not be funny to me.

After we hang up, I lie back on my bed and think about my family. I wonder who is taking care of Mom now that Dad is gone and has ruined everything. How is she holding up during all of this? She and I talk from time to time, but always about me and never about her, and definitely not about Dad.

I wonder about Adam and Sage and their baby girl, Faith. I wonder about Caleb, who is now dating my ex, which isn’t weird at all.

It’s not often I truly think about my family like this. Mostly because it gives me more guilt and discomfort than I’d like. I’m a runner through and through. When things get tough, I get out as fast as I can. Never one to stick around to talk about feelings or, God forbid, feel them.

Suddenly, without reason, I call Jensen. He picks up after three rings. He sounds out of breath.

“Hey. How was the show?” he asks.

“It was good,” I reply, sounding despondent.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, picking up on it immediately. “Talk to me.”

“Can we FaceTime?” I ask.

“Yeah, give me a second. I’m just walking through the door.”

“Where were you tonight?” I ask to kill the time.

“Dinner with my parents. I try to go over there at least once a week.”

“That’s nice of you and actually kind of appropriate for what I want to talk about.”

I can hear Jensen rushing. A door in the distance closes, and then, a moment later, he requests to video chat. As soon as I accept it, his picture comes into view.

“Naked again, I see,” he says with a low growl in his voice that makes my dick twitch.

“I promise I don’t do it on purpose.”

“You can call me however you want to,” he says. “Now, tell me what’s wrong.”

Jensen is on his couch, holding his phone and giving me his attention. I chew on my bottom lip as I consider how to say this.

Just say it, Isaac.

“I’m thinking about my family,” I say.

“Okay,” he replies with concern. “What about them? Did something happen?”

I have not told Jensen about my dad, and I don’t plan to. It’s embarrassing to have to admit to someone that your dad is a pervert and a hypocrite on top of being a homophobe and bigot. Not to mention, I’ll never let Theo and Isaac cross.

“I’m thinking that I might be ready…”

“Ready to go home?” he asks.

“Yeah.”

“First of all, do you feel safe doing that?” he asks. I’ve noticed that Jensen has a very protective side. He’s constantly trying to shield me, even when there is no threat.

“Yes,” I reply with a nod. “Let’s just say…my dad was the problem, and he’s no longer in the picture. I’d just be with my mom and brothers.”

“And they support you?” he asks.

“Without question.”

“Then talk to me. Tell me why you’re second-guessing it. What are you afraid of?”

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