Page 71 of Deep Down
Alex agreed. He knew he wouldn’t be able to keep the promise if he stayed in Cambridge, so he arranged to take a few days off work and head to his parents’ house; they had, after all, been asking to see him for several months.
He contacted Heath, cancelling their planned date for that weekend, explaining where he was headed.
“Alex! What a nice surprise!” His mum hugged him tight, and his muscles relaxed as he inhaled her perfume, the smell taking him back to his childhood. Mother’s intuition must have kicked in because she held him for longer than usual and rubbed up and down his back. “You’re home now, sweetheart. Relax.” She kissed his hair.
Blinking against the threatening tears, Alex sniffed and pulled back. “You look great. The holiday agreed with you.”
“It did, indeed. Thank you, son.” His dad came down the stairs.
“You’re welcome.” He gave his dad a hug and was shuffled down the hallway to the kitchen, no doubt so his mum could fill him up with food.
“How long are you staying for?” His mum occupied herself by pulling some sandwich fillings from the fridge, the bread already being on the counter. “I saw you’d brought a bag with you. I assumed it’s for more than a flying visit this time.”
“A few days if that’s okay?”
“Of course, it is, Alex. You’re welcome to stay as long as you like. This is your home, too, despite having grown up and moved out.” She winked at him, and Alex grinned, the last of the tension leaving his body for the time being. “Let me know when you want to talk about it.”
Nodding, Alex dug into the chicken salad sandwich with gusto. He had no secrets from his parents, except those work-related ones he couldn’t talk about. They knew he was gay from the point in time he’d figured it out himself at thirteen and had supported him unconditionally, to his relief. Many times, over the years, he had gone to either, or both, for advice about a variety of subjects. If they hadn’t known the answer, they all figured it out together. He couldn’t ask for better parents.
Lying in bed that evening, Alex stared up at the ceiling, wishing he knew what the best option was. He could admit to himself, here in the silence and darkness, he wanted to be in a relationship with Craig. His heart was intertwined with Craig, and he didn’t think there was anything he could do about it—or wanted to do about it. Which meant he had to end things with Heath. As Casey so rightly said, it wasn’t fair to Heath for Alex to lead them through a relationship he wasn’t thoroughly invested in.
Exhaling, Alex rolled over onto his side, staring at nothing. He needed to figure out what to do about Craig now. Casey was also right about Craig needing space to figure out what he wanted, but they’d done that when Craig had told him, he was stepping back, and Craig had sought him out months later. He wished he could understand the reasoning behind the visit. Was it possible Craig wanted more from their relationship, too? Except for asking him outright, how could he find out?
****
His parents spoiled him rotten. Ella had dropped in to see them with her whole tagalong crew, and his mother had fawned over Danny and Elijah, even though she’d seen them a few days before.
When it was time to head back home, Alex was thoroughly relaxed and vowed to visit more often. At least he determined his next course of action. Others might not—wouldnot—agree with him, but he planned to do it anyway.
