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I’d done that to him. I’d made Pop ugly cry.
“Pop, don’t...” I whispered. “I’m sorry I upset you.”
He stood up, Dad wrapped around him. “We failed you.”
“What? No, this isn’t your fault. This me and my fucked-up head. You’ve been the best parents I could have asked for,” I assured them, and when they sat down next to me, I pulled back. “I’m sorry.”
Dad looked pained. “You didn’t do anything wrong, baby.”
“I love you both. You know that, right? I don’t think you wanted me to be something I’m not. I just feel this weight on my shoulders. And I’m so fucking tired,” I choked out. “I need help. Please, I need this all to stop, and I just want to be like I was. Normal, happy, and lucky.”
This time, when Dad moved closer, I let him. His arms wrapped around me while Pop watched. He looked absolutely heartbroken. Dad cooed into my ear how much they loved me, and they would help me with whatever I needed.
“Pop?” I tried to swallow around the lump in my throat. “Are you all right?”
He nodded but kept his gaze on the wall behind me. But when tears began to slip down his cheeks again, I lost it. I threw myself at him, hugged him as tightly as I could, and held him as he sobbed into my shoulder.
“Jackson,” Dad murmured. “Andy’s with us. He’s home, and he’s safe. He’s going to be okay.”
Pop only sobbed harder, his arms squeezing me to the point where I almost couldn’t breathe. “We’re going to take care of you.” He suddenly pulled back, brushing his cheeks. “Whatever it takes. The best therapists and medication. Nothing is too much for my son.”
“I love you. Both of you. I didn’t mean to scare or upset you. I just... Leo said I should talk to you. About everything. And well, I probably should have waited for him to be here with me, but I’m glad I told you.” I hated to see them so upset. It was breaking my heart.
Dad brushed the hair from forehead. “Whatever you need, Andy. We’ll make sure you have it.”
***
I hadn’t cried so much in years. Not since that day my mother sold me for drugs, and I had to live in that rat-infested trailer for two weeks before she came back for me. My eyes were red and swollen, my throat ached, and my head hurt. It felt almost like a mild hangover. I was currently sitting in the living room with my parents and brothers, picking at the Chinese takeout food Pop had ordered. Dad had been too concerned with me to cook dinner.
“So, are you and Leo officially back together?” Lucas asked as he shoveled his food into his mouth. He was a never-ending garbage disposable. It was disgusting.
I gave a quick nod. “Yeah, I mean, we didn’t say it or anything, but he said he still loves me.”
“Boo, that’s so great.” Felix clapped his hands together and then shot a look at Ford. “What? They’re soulmates. It’s romantic.”
Ford grunted. “Awesome. I love that for them.”
What was his deal? I mean, sure, he was the one who’d told me to break up with Leo in the first place, but Ford and Felix had both seen how miserable I was without him. Sure, they had tried to help me, pushed me to try to experience new things, but it hadn’t felt right. Not without Leo.
“You’ll find your person,” Dad assured Ford and ruffled his hair playfully.
Felix turned around to face Dad and Pop. “What if our person is the same person?” He looked so serious, too.
“I’m... What?” Dad’s eyes went wide. “Is there something you’d like to tell us, Felix?”
Felix nodded. “Someone asked us out. Both of us. And we’re going to do it.” He nudged his brother, who just scowled at his dinner.
Lucas coughed, nearly choking on his food. “Wait a second, Fe. Are you saying that you and Ford are going to likeFlowers in the Atticsome dude? Bro, that’s kind of hot. I mean, not my thing, but hot otherwise.”
“Lucas!” Pop hissed, and then barked out a laugh, which got Dad giggling.
Before I knew it, I had joined them. It felt good to let go, to enjoy this time with my family. I missed all the nights we sat here watching television, eating, and catching up on everything that had happened during the day.
Once we had all calmed down, Pop coughed softly. “Are you going to tell us who this boy is, Felix, or do we have to wait until he picks you up? Because he will be coming into this house so I can make sure he knows not to fuck with my children.”
“Goose.” Dad grinned. “I’m pretty sure we already know who it is.”
Pop’s brows dipped. “We do?”
