Page 88 of Snapping the Ice
Axel picked up my phone. “His mom’s on the line.” He held the phone to his ear. “Hello? Mrs. Turner?”
I pulled myself together and sniffled. “I’m sorry. This seems unprofessional, doesn’t it?” I couldn’t involve them in my drama.
“Your son is still here. He’s pretty upset. Can you give him a minute?” Axel widened his eyes. “Holy fuck, are you serious?” He knitted his brows. “Uh, sorry, ma’am, I didn’t mean to swear.” His attention drew to me.
“What the hell is going on?” Caleb knelt beside me.
Axel set the phone on mute. “His Mom is apologizing for rejecting him after he came out.”
“Jesus.” Devin pushed Silas out of the way, crouched beside me, and held me to his chest. “I was raised Mormon. I hid my true self from my parents as long as I could and when they found out, my father almost beat me.”
“Yeah, that’s how my dad reacted, too.” I closed my eyes, letting his warmth soothe me. These guys understood. I didn’t have to hide what I was going through.
“What you’re being given today is a gift. Take it.” He squeezed me. “What can we do? Do you want to talk to her some more, or do you need time? It’s okay to need time.”
“I…I think I need to talk to her.”It was a gift?Inhaling deeply, I freed myself from Devin and ticked my head at Axel, still holding the phone.
“Just so you know, I texted Leo, and he’s letting Mason and Lucas know what happened. I’m pretty sure Lucas is on his way here.” Caleb gave me a warm grin. “We can finish the shoot later if you want.”
“Can you give me about an hour? I think I’ll be okay tofinish.” I had my professional reputation to uphold. Looking at each of them, I said, “Thank you. You’re all so very kind.”
“It’s what we do, man.” With a smirk, Axel handed me my phone and patted my back. “We’re here for you. We’refamily.”
With a nod, I rose and paced to the studio’s entrance. I should take the rest of this call outside, where I could get some fresh air.
The band murmured with each other, throwing glances my way and ambling to their pizza.
Stepping out the door into the bright sunlight, I held my head high and unmuted my phone. I was ready now. “M-Mom? Hi, I’m back.”
“Ezra? Thank God. I was afraid you hung up on me.”
“No, we need to talk.”This is a gift. I paced along the building, my gaze on my sneakers and the pavement beneath my feet, the little cracks and pebbles. “Was it the PFLAG meeting that changed your mind?”
“It was. A woman in a similar situation to mine was there, and we’ve been talking. I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to call you. But I was afraid if your father found out, it would start an argument.” She sighed. “Or worse…We haven’t gotten along very well since you left. He found out about the money I gave you?—”
“He did?” My brows lifted. Could this break their marriage?
“He did. Oh, it doesn’t matter now. What’s important is that you know I love you and I support you. I want to see you. Maddy says you’ve become quite a photographer.”
“I…yeah, I have my own studio and make enough to support myself with my work.” I glanced at the studio door and the sign above it. My name was on this place.
“I’m so proud of you. You always were a strong-willed boy.”She freed a soft laugh. “I’m coming out there with Maddy. We’re telling your father it’s a girl’s vacation of sorts.”
“So, he won’t know about it?” My heart stung. He might never accept me and maybe it would be okay. I’d have Mom and Maddy in my life. I had so many others around me.
“He won’t. Not for now. But I’m going to work on him. I don’t know, maybe someday…”
“Yeah, maybe someday.” I wouldn’t get my hopes up about him. “Mom, I can’t wait to see you.” I twisted and paced toward the studio’s door, my heart beating in a steady rhythm.
A black Jeep pulled into the parking lot.
Lucas. “Hey, Mom, I’ve got to go. My boyfriend just got here.” A broad smile broke out over my face.
“The hockey player Maddy told me about?”
“Yep, that’s him. He’s the love of my life, Mom. I can’t wait for you to meet him.” We had so much more to talk about and dig through. But it could wait until she visited. “Send me your travel information and we’ll take it from there.”
“Sure. Love you, son.”
