Page 70 of Burn It Down

We were both terrified about that meeting, but I think maybe this small town isn’t as closed-minded as I once thought. Maybe they’re finally just realizing that love is love, and really, it’s nobody’s business who someone chooses to spend their life with.

I don’t know if it’ll always go that smoothly, but I know one thing—I’m going to be right there by his side, no matter what comes at us. Spencer isn’t doing life on his own as long as I’mbreathing. I let him down once, but that’s never going to happen again.

“I can take Elijah to school and bring him home. We can be a family. I don’t want to waste any more of my life being afraid of what could happen. I want everything with you, Kade.”

I grin and lean forward kissing him softly. “Let’s burn this world down, baby. You and me. One step at a time.”

He kisses me back, and before I know it, the kiss is growing heated. He starts to push my sweats down off my ass, but just then, of fucking course—there’s a knock at the door. “Dad, I’m hungry.”

I groan softly, my forehead resting against Spencer’s, my body already full of need.

“Life with a kid.” Spencer is grinning wide, like he wasn’t already turning into a full-on inferno right before that knock.

“You ready for this?” I ask hopefully.

“I don’t want anything more,” he says, his eyes locking on mine with so much positivity and absolute love, it nearly takes my breath away.

I can’t wait to officially move in. To share every bit of this with him.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Kade wanted to talk to Elijah together about moving in, and I think that’s a great idea. But first, I suggested we had a fun day out together. All three of us. Since Elijah and I are on winter break still and Kade is off today, I suggested we go to the aquarium in downtown Kansas City.

Something Elijah and I have in common is our love for science—animals and fish included. I can’t wait to take him to the zoo, and on the drive up to Kansas City, we actually make plans to do just that during spring break.

When we get into the aquarium, Elijah and I are both completely enthralled, getting lost in conversations at every exhibit. It’s clear Kade is here mostly for both of us, but still, he seems to be enjoying himself. Listening to us talk.

When we get to the stingrays, Elijah is all too excited to get to pet them. He and I wind up on the opposite side of the large pool of stingrays from Kade, but he doesn’t seem bothered by that.

It gives Elijah and me a little bit of time alone—which I think is what Kade wants. “How are you doing with everything, kiddo?”

Kade was worried the nightmares would come back after Bowen’s accident, but so far, it seems Elijah has been handling it well with no nightmares. “I almost got one!” He giggles, and I realize he probably thinks I was asking about the stingrays.

“Good job,” I praise. “But I mean with your Uncle Bowen and his accident. Being on break. You know... life in general?”

He gazes up at me with those big adorable eyes, his nose scrunched, looking a lot like his father in this moment. “Uncle Bowen is fine. He didn’t die.”

I grin. “No. He didn’t.”

Elijah goes back to trying to gently pet a stingray, and I realize he really does seem to be okay. It doesn’t mean his fear is gone completely, but I think he’s had time to process it. I think it was a good call—Kade bringing him to the hospital. He knows he has support, and he’s going to be surrounded by people who love him. Still, there’s a need inside me to make sure he knows it. “Well, if you ever need to talk about it—you can always talk to your dad. Or Uncle Bowen. Or your counselor. Or me.” I reach down to try to pet a stingray too. “You’re very loved, Elijah.”

His head turns to look over at me. “You love me?”

This. Kid. I swear. I look over at Kade, sensing his eyes on me. I’m not sure if he can hear us—it’s pretty loud in here with a lot of kids packed into one area—but I just smile at him before looking back at his son. His son, who yes, I can see being my son someday. Who I care about a great deal already. Who is my student—but isn’t only a student to me. He’s my boyfriend’s son and an incredible little human. “You’re very loveable, kiddo.” I smile, and he’s beaming back at me.

“Do you love my dad?”

Again. This kid. I love how he can just ask that though. That he’s not afraid to say whatever is on his mind. I look over at Kade again—seeing the joy in his eyes and knowing he can in fact hear us.

I look back at Elijah and nod. “I do.”

He’s grinning from ear to ear now. “Are you going to marry him?”

I let out a laugh, not at all surprised that’s where his mind went. “Would that be okay with you?”

It’s way too soon for that—but of course it’s been on my mind. We’re planning to move in together—it’s not like we aren’t fully committed already. And I don’t really need the piece of paper to prove that—but part of me does want it. “Of course.” He shrugs his little shoulders like it’s the easiest answer in the world. But then his nose scrunches up again, and I know his little wheels are turning. “Do I get to wear a tuxedo?”

I laugh and see Kade walking over toward us, his hand going to Elijah’s little shoulder. “Do you want to wear one?”

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