Page 77 of Love Potion

“It already is, Bane.”

TWENTY-THREE

JERRYN

I feellike I’m in a dream.

The last month has been nothing short of epic now that Bane and I are no longer dodging our feelings, and for the first time since puberty I feel like a whole person.

I carry the plate of bacon to the dining room where Bane is already setting out the hash browns. Lowen has the orange juice pitchers and Oakley has bottles of champagne. It’s expected to snow today, the first one this season, which makes me smile. I’m looking forward to a snuggly day on the couch with my favorite person.

Salem and Indy come in next, both carrying platters. Kit and Stewart are right behind them with the eggs Benedict. Wren and Ridley went all out this morning, so much so that I probably won’t have to eat again until dinner.

We all settle in our seats, passing platters around and filling our plates. Everyone is talking and laughing, and a new sense of joy fills me. It’s obvious to me now that I was always a little detached from the romance around me, thinking it wasn’t for me, but now I get to have it too.

Bane leans over to kiss my cheek, smiling before he bites into his strip of bacon while I pour syrup over my pancakes. “I hope itdoesn’t snow too much this week,” he says. “We have a fun night planned on Wednesday.”

“It isn’t supposed to be much.”

We’re going into the city on Wednesday to see a special showing of a cult classic movie from the fifties. I don’t know what it’s about, but Bane said it was his grandmother’s favorite movie, so I’m up for it. He does so much for me; I’m more than happy to return the favor.

Kit clears his throat loudly, getting everyone’s attention. He shifts in his seat, glancing at Stewart, who smiles and rubs his arm in encouragement.

“Hey, guys,” Kit says. “I want to tell you something.”

Indy nods. “What’s up, man? You okay?”

“Oh yeah, I’m good. It’s in the past, but I want you all to know.” Kit glances at Stewart again, then blows out a slow breath. “My time on the West Coast was… difficult, to say the least. That’s why it was so easy to take Indy up on his offer to come back here to Willow Bay.”

Everyone is silent as we listen. My stomach tightens with nerves. I hope nothing is wrong with Kit.

“I coped with stress and disappointment in unhealthy ways,” Kit continues. “Long story short, my family intervened and I ended up in a treatment program.”

“Dude,” Ridley says. “For alcohol?”

Kit shakes his head. “No. Online gambling mostly, but generally, my tendency towards destructive behavior.”

“Oh, Kit,” Lowen says softly. “Why didn’t you reach out to us?”

He shrugs, scratching his beard. “I was embarrassed. I knew you’d all be there for me, but I was so fucked up, I didn’t even know where to start.”

“How are you now?” I ask.

“Good.” Kit smiles. “Really good. Like I said, this is all in the past, many years ago now, and I’ve done well with my coping skills since then. I’m bringing it up because of something Jerryn told us a while ago.”

I tilt my head. “Something I said?”

“The night you told us about your sexuality,” Kit says. “You were vulnerable with us, and you trusted us with that. It made me realize that I still had a little bit of shame to work through, so I did, and part of that is telling you guys because I know you’ll still hold me up.” He looks over at Stewart. “I’m not indestructible, and there’s always a chance that those behaviors could sneak up on me again. I wanted you all to know in case, but also, just to know me.”

“Is there anything we can do to support you?” Bane asks.

“Nah, man, I’m solid right now. Moving back here was the best thing I could do. Being with you guys, meeting Stewart, and having Moby’s to focus on has been great for me.”

“Thanks for telling us,” I say. “We’re glad you’re okay now.”

“Thanks, Jerr.” Kit smiles. “Now, enough heavy talk. Let’s finish eating.”

The conversation starts up again, all of us talking, sometimes as a group, and sometimes in side chats. Sundays make me so happy.

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