Harmless(21)

"Uh … " Roan's hands fisted at his sides. "I'm looking for a place right now."

Lydia lifted her head, her back straightening slightly. "Do you think it's wise to raise Liam in a gay household?"

Well. She'd come right out with that one, hadn't she?

Roan glanced between his father and stepmother. It was evident Daniel was trying to avoid the conversation altogether.

"I didn't realize it was a problem."

"It's just … " Lydia glanced over at Daniel. "We believe it's important that children grow up with a mother and a father."

Hmm. Funny how Lydia continued to say "we," yet Roan grew up in a house with a single father for part of his life.

"So is this a concern because I'm gay? I'm confused."

Lydia squirmed. "I'm not saying it's  …  wrong necessarily. But it's not natural, Roan." She still wouldn't meet his gaze. "A child should have a mother and a father."

Okay, so clearly she didn't have the balls to say what she really meant. Her reference to "we" meant she was hiding behind his father, and the fact that she wouldn't look at him meant she wasn't all that confident in her defense.

At least that was how Roan saw it.

Roan believed that every child should grow up with loving parents-mom and dad, dad and dad, mom and mom, single mom, single dad, grandparents, it didn't fucking matter. As long as the child was the most important thing, as long as they loved the child unconditionally, who really gave a shit about the sex of the parents or whether there were two parents in the household? But he couldn't tell Lydia any of that. Arguing with her would only make things worse.

"Considering I'm single, I don't see how that'll be a problem."

And it wasn't a problem.

Not that he was worried about it. He had one priority. Liam. Nothing and no one else mattered.

Wanting to avoid any more of this bullshit, Roan turned toward the kitchen, catching Cam's attention in the process.

He went right for the refrigerator, yanking it open and staring at the contents. He saw none of it, but the cool air did wonders for his overheated skin.

"You good?" Cam asked, passing him in the kitchen.

"Yeah." Roan closed the refrigerator and turned to watch his father and stepmother. He half expected them to tuck Liam under their arm like a football and make a run for it.

"Gannon and I are gonna run to the store. You need anything?"

Roan shook his head. He turned to look at Cam. "We'll be outta your hair soon, I promise."

Cam looked shocked and maybe a little irritated. "Y'all aren't in our hair. Gannon and I like having you here. I understand if you want your own place, but don't think that we're put out."

"I was thinking about getting an apartment, but I think it's best if I buy a house. Get Liam settled permanently. Put down roots, you know? I don't like the idea of having to move him too many times."

"Roan, you're gonna be a great father. Liam's extremely lucky to have you."

Roan swallowed hard. He wasn't sure why he needed to hear those words, but he had. One minute Liam had been his nephew, the next he'd was his son. Then again, from the moment that he first laid eyes on him, Roan had known that Liam would become the most important thing in his life. He had never expected to have children of his own. Sure, he'd hoped that one day he might have the opportunity, if and when …




 

 

Since thirty-four was just around the corner, Roan was starting to think there was more if and less when.

Regardless, he'd never gotten his hopes up.

"Thanks," he said softly.

Liam started crying in the living room and Roan decided to help out the grandparents. By help, he meant send them on their way.

After the stress of the day, Roan finally managed to get Liam down around seven. He knew he'd be back up around nine for a bottle, but at least Roan would get a chance to grab some dinner while the house was quiet.

When he made it into the kitchen, he found Gannon pulling something out of the oven.

"Perfect timing." Gannon smiled at him over his shoulder. "I made lasagna. I'd hoped to time it right. Hungry?"

"Starving," Roan admitted.

"Damn, it smells good in here," Cam said, coming into the kitchen. "Want a beer?"

"Nah. Tea's fine." Roan grabbed plates and silverware while Gannon put the food on the table and Cam got the drinks.

It seemed as though it was going to be a quiet dinner with Roan being the third wheel, but he should've known that Cam wouldn't be able to hold out for long.

"So, tell me more about Colton Seguine."

Roan knew he didn't mask his reaction to the request before Cam noticed. But the inquiry caught him off guard, and he stopped eating, fork halfway to his mouth.