Page 65 of A Case of You
Brandon was obviously paying attention to the Tampa traffic, but Stuart could tell he was amused by that factoid, slowly shaking his head,thatsmirk on his face.
“Anyway, I’ll tell your father you called. I’m getting ready to head over there now to visit. He’ll be fine, and so will we. I’m still trying to talk him into either leasing the land to someone else to farm, or sell altogether. I’m tired, and friends of ours sold out and moved down to Florida last year. They love it there. Just outside of Brooksville. Maybe this will help me talk him into it.”
This conversation still felt…weird. Like he wasn’t awake or something. “Maybe that’s what you need to do then.”
“If only it were that easy. Love you.”
“Love you, too, Mom.”
He stared at his phone after ending the call. Brandon finally lost his battle not to laugh. “I’m sorry, but after this weekend, that was like a miracle or something.”
“I know, right? I swear I didn’t know that’s why Jake married Shelly.”
“Sounds like he didn’twanta lot of people knowing it.”
* * * *
Brandon had worried that, now they were home, Stuart might sink into feeling guilty about what had happened with his father. Hearing Stuart’s mom tell Stuart it wasn’t his fault meant Brandon had the best leverage of all to keep Stuart’s mindset focused on the healthy side of this.
Jake was no longer some mythical beast waiting in the wings to ruin Stuart’s life.
Jake had been publicly taken down and humiliated. Exposed for the abusive jerk he was.
Stuart was now reconciled with his sister and with Robert.
Add to that Stuart now had a dialogue with his parents about his life and family in Florida.
For Brandon, it was a total win.
All he and Jeff had to do was reinforce those positives to Stuart and make sure he internalized it.
It would be hard to change a lifetime of thinking, though.
For now, Brandon couldn’t wait to get home and be with Jeff again. He’d missed him like hell over the weekend, but it was better he hadn’t been there. It would have gotten him upset and, combined with the bitterly cold, damp weather, and the stress, it would have crashed him for sure.
This had been better.
Far better.
Well, would have been even better without Stuart’s father having a heart attack, but overall, it was still a win.
Jeff walked out as soon as they pulled into the driveway, hugging them hard when they emerged from the car.
“I am so fucking glad you two are home.”
Brandon grinned. “How’d Emma and Grace do this weekend?”
“You sonofabitch.” But Jeff smiled. “Did youhaveto order them to basically sit on me this weekend?”
Brandon pointed at himself and circled his finger. “Saaaadist. What part of that don’t you understand,boy?”
It finally pulled a laugh out of Stuart, Brandon was happy to hear. “I’m so glad we’re home.”
Chapter Seventeen
Jeff felt badly he hadn’t been there for Stuart. Once Brandon fully debriefed Jeff the next morning after Stuart left for work, he realized everything had been under control.
Thanksgiving had gone so well that Brandon had told everyone they were hosting Christmas Day, too. Now Jeff was charged with making sure the shopping and meal planning was taken care of.
