Page 69 of Retaking the Shot
“If they come here, then they can leave whenever they want. They won’t need to worry about kicking us out or something.”
“Right,” I sighed.
Yes. See you at 6?
We’ll be there
Ford kept pullinghis phone out of his pocket and checking the time as it neared six o’clock. I’d ordered food from my favorite Mexican restaurant so we could have a taco bar—if we made it to dinner. I knew the conversation needed to happen first, so I stuck everything in the oven to keep it warm after it arrived five minutes ago.
“Hey.” I walked over to Ford and placed my hands on his shoulders and looked directly into his eyes. “Everything is going to be okay. Whatever happens, you’ll still have me.”
He gave me a small smile. “I know, but still. I’m not used to telling people my story.”
“You mean about Tim?”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “I figured I needed to start at the beginning.”
“Okay, but only if you’re comfortable with it.”
“I will be.”
I pressed my lips to his just as the intercom buzzed. “They’re here.” With a deep breath from both of us, I went to the phone that was connected to the front desk of my building. “Hello?”
“Mr. Cooper. Mr. Hayden Foster and Mr. Tyler Statler-Foster are here to see you.”
“Yes. Please send them up.” I hung up and turned to Ford. “Ready?”
“Yep.”
Ford sat back on the couch, and I stood by the door, waiting to answer it when they rang. A few minutes later, the doorbell chimed, and I swung the door open with a smile on my face. “Welcome.”
Hayden grinned, but Tyler’s gaze cut to where Ford was sitting behind me.
“Come in.” I gestured for them to enter.
“Did you cook?” Hayden asked as he sniffed the air.
“Have some Mexican food staying warm in the oven. This was dinner, right?”
“I guess we’ll see what happens.”
“Yeah, let’s get this over with,” Tyler stated and walked around us toward Ford.
I shared a look with Ford, and then he stood and gestured to where he was sitting. “Please, both of you sit.”
Hayden and Tyler moved to the couch, and I went to stand next to Ford. I grabbed his hand and gave it a little squeeze. He shifted on his feet nervously and then he began.
“I know we have history together, and I owe both of you an apology for what happened before graduation. I’d like to explain?—”
“Nothing you can possibly say can justify why you did what you did, Ford,” Tyler seethed.
Hayden rubbed his knee and said to his husband, “Let’s let him try, okay?”
I wanted to offer Hayden and Tyler something to drink, but I was scared to leave the room since we’d jumped right into the talk. So, I stayed next to Ford’s side as he spoke as he directed his words at Tyler.
“You probably don’t think about it or care, but I would like to tell you why I broke up with you.”
“All right,” Tyler replied and crossed his arms.
