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I knocked lightly on the front door despite Maverick telling me over and over I could just walk inside. “You’re probably right. Ezra loves to gossip, and you’re a hot topic for him.”
The urge to touch Andy had me shoving my hands into my pockets. I had done too much of that already. He could hurt me again in ways I might never come back from.
“Leo, you know you don’t have to knock. It’s good to see you.” Maverick gasped when he saw me in the doorway. “Come in. I was just going to start lunch for the boys. You want to stay and eat with us? I’m making pizza.” My stomach growled at the thought of Maverick’s food. He was an amazing cook.
I smiled. “Is it okay that I’m not alone? I don’t want to intrude.” Andy had moved just out of view of the door, his arms wrapped around himself. That lip worried between his teeth again.
“A friend?” Maverick asked, and his smile faltered for a second. “Uh, of course. Are you seeing someone? Not that it matters. You’re always welcome here.” He started to open the screen door just as I reached over to grab Andy’s hand.
I tried to tug him into view, but Andy didn’t budge.
“I’m not,” I assured Maverick. “Seeing anyone, I mean. I’m much too busy for a relationship.”Or really, anyone who isn’t your son. But I didn’t say that last part.
“Oh, well, if you were seeing someone, that would be fine. You know I want you to be happy... Andy?” Maverick’s emerald-green eyes went wide, and his jaw dropped. He looked like he had seen a ghost. Andy wasn’t kidding when he said it had been a while. The shock on his father’s face was proof of that.
I squeezed his hand. “Go to your father,” I whispered.
“Jackson! Jackson, get in here right this second!” Maverick called to his husband as Andy moved to wrap his father in a hug, lifting him off his feet.
I felt my throat tighten, and tears filled my eyes just as Jackson appeared in the kitchen. “Is someone dying because I was in the middle of—Holy shit.”
He was fast for a man of his size, engulfing both his husband and son in his arms. It was heartwarming to see, and I turned away to give them some space.
I wondered why Andy had been hiding from his parents. Was he scared, or was it something more? I had so many things I wanted to ask him, but they would have to wait. I stared at the refrigerator as I listened to the soft murmurs of Jackson and Maverick talking to Andy, telling him how happy they were he was home, how skinny he looked, that they had missed him, and how proud of him they were. They would never tell him anything but that. They loved their son something fierce.
“Leo.” I turned around, and Maverick crushed me against his small frame. “Thank you. Thank you for bringing him home to me,” he whispered softly.
I caught Andy’s gaze as he spoke to Jackson. “You’re welcome.”
“Come with me for just a second.” Maverick grabbed my hand. “We’ll be right back.”
He dragged me toward the basement door and downstairs to where Andy and Princess Bungalow used to practice.
“Are you two back together? Is that what this is? You know how happy that would make me. No pressure, of course.”
I shook my head. “No, we’re not.”
“But you’re talking. So, what is this?”
“I don’t know what this is. He came to see me on Saturday night, and well, here we are.”
Maverick smoothed back the hair on my forehead. “I can’t believe he’s here. Leo, I just... Is he okay? Has he told you anything? I know that he’s been keeping things from me and his father. I don’t like that he feels like he can’t talk to us.”
“I wish I knew, but he hasn’t told me much.”
Even if I knew the answer to that question, I wouldn’t break Andy’s confidence like that. We used to tell one another everything, and some of what he said to me, I would take to the grave. I glanced around the room, realizing nothing had changed. The drum kit was still set up in the corner. The amps stacked up by the wall. I had spent hours sitting in this room watching, listening, and just being around Andy. My stomach cramped at the memories as I tried to push them away. Maybe this had been a mistake.
“Leo, please.” Maverick touched my shoulder.
I sighed softly. “You need to talk to him, Mav. Get him to open up to you. He won’t tell me anything. Something had to have happened to upset him like this.”
“Mav, huh?” His brows raised. “What happened to you calling me dad?”
I shrugged. “You still want me to call you that? Even though Andy and I aren’t together anymore?”
“Boo, you’re always going to be my second baby.” Maverick smiled and hugged me again. “I love you, you know.”
I hugged him back. “I know, and I love you, too.”
