Better Have Heart (Harrison Campus 2)

“That’s rather astute of you, but I shouldn’t be surprised. You were always quick to figure things out.”

“Not everything.” She didn’t take the bait, and he knew she expected him to continue. “I totally didn’t figure Dad out.”

“Darren . . .”

He shrugged. “I know. He’s working through things, but it still hurts. You guys haven’t come to any of my games, he doesn’t call anymore—other than to tell me to set up this trip with Isaiah. Honestly, if I knew he’d react like this, I’d have kept it secret.”

“You did the right thing being true to yourself and telling us.”

“Losing Dad makes it the worst mistake I could’ve made.”

“It was absolutely the right thing to do. Too many kids kill themselves because they need to hide who they are. I won’t let that happen to you.” She took his hands in hers. “Darren, I love you so much. You are such a light in my world. I would give up everything I own to keep you.”

His nose tingled and tears welled in his eyes. “Thanks, Mom. I love you too.”

“I know you’re disappointed in your father, but give him time.”

“Time for what?” If he didn’t want a gay son, that wasn’t going to change. As he’d said, if he’d known his dad didn’t like gay people, he’d never have said anything. Talk about no clue. “He’s not going to approve of me any more later than now.”

“It’s not that.” She put a finger to his lips to stop his protest. “No, it isn’t. Your father doesn’t . . . you being gay wasn’t something he expected. He’ll come around. He will. I know your father. He doesn’t like it when plans don’t go the way he expects.”

“Sorry I’m not the plan he expected.”

“I’m not happy either.” The fact she mentioned a disagreement with his father spoke to how strongly it bothered her. “But you know me. I don’t give up when I’m right.”

He snorted. “Are you? Right, that is?”

“Absolutely. Darren, I don’t care about what the person you like does or who his family is, I just want you to be happy. I’m still going to ask questions. I’m your mother and I’ll do whatever I need to do to make sure you’re safe.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” He smiled. “You still think I’m five, tumbling down the hill.”

“It’s called love and it’s what mothers do. And let’s be clear, you can’t change this, so don’t even try.”

Darren hauled his mother in for a hug. “Thanks, Mom.”

“So . . . is there someone you might like?”

Darren chuckled against her hair. “Yeah. I think there is.”

Chapter Thirteen

Isaiah

The patio doors opened, and Isaiah twisted to see Darren gliding toward him with a surprisingly upbeat smile.

Darren stopped a half-foot from him. “When did you come down? I didn’t hear you.”

Isaiah wanted to mirror the brightness coming from Darren, but it was a struggle to slip on a two-second grin. He gave up and shrugged. “A few minutes ago. I wasn’t sure if I could go into the kitchen without you.”

“You could’ve gone in. Mom and I were chatting while she ate.”

“You’re done with breakfast?” Isaiah asked.

Darren shoved his hands into his pockets and his gaze hopped from Isaiah’s face to the row of oaks in the distance. “No. I was waiting for you.”

Oh. That was nice. Really nice.

God, why did he have to be so amazing, and so unattainable? “Is your dad going to join us?”

Darren’s face screwed up. Not the first time it had done that at the mention of his dad. “He was gone when I got up to go run at six thirty.”

“You ran at six thirty?” Isaiah choked out a laughing groan. “Here I thought being up and ready by eight was impressive.”

Darren smirked. “Impressively lazy.”

“Shut up.”

Darren’s eyes twinkled, like he found Isaiah adorable, and dammit. Not helping Isaiah to stifle what was clearly a monster-sized crush.

“Will your dad be back before dinner?”

Darren’s good mood temporarily wavered. “Yes. Mom said he needed to finish something on the deal he’s trying to sign. He’ll be back after lunch. I think he wants to meet with you before the dinner.”

“Gotcha.”

Darren hitched a finger behind him. “Shall we go eat? Gabrielle, our cook, will want to clean up before lunch.”

Isaiah knew they had a cook, but hearing it roll off Darren’s tongue so easily reinforced why he needed to stop whatever this was before it went further.

Two different worlds.

“Sure, but I’m fine with something that won’t make a mess.”

“Let’s see what she has before we settle on cereal.” He flashed a disarming smile, and Isaiah fought not to ask Darren about the night before.

“Sounds like a plan.”

Gabrielle insisted they eat crepes. Delicious, light crepes with fresh fruit and homemade whipped cream.

“Do you eat like that every day?”

“No way. My coach would throw a fit. She made those for you.”