Back to a world without Kaleb. A world without the woods. Without the quiet mornings in his cabin. Without his big hands tucking me in. Without the way he calls me baby boy like it’s a prayer.
I look down at the half-eaten banana in my hand. The OJ cup sweating on the bench beside me.
This is my choice.
Right here.
Right now.
One reply could rewrite my future.
I swallow hard.
My fingers stay frozen over the screen.
There’s no denying it, what I type next could change everything.
Chapter 16
Taron
The bench creaks under new weight. I don’t need to look to know it’s him—Kaleb’s presence is unmistakable, like the air itself shifts when he’s near.
He sits beside me without a word at first.
Close enough that our thighs touch.
Close enough that I feel the warmth radiating off him even through my sweater.
I keep staring at my phone. The email from Pace is still open. Fingers hovering. Heart hammering.
“You okay?” His voice is low, careful.
I swallow and shake my head once. “Not really, Kaleb.”
He waits. Doesn’t push. Just sits there—solid, patient, just like always.
I turn the screen toward him so he can read it. The words blur a little through sudden tears.
Kaleb scans it and I see his jaw tighten. He exhales slow through his nose.
“Pace,” Kaleb snarls.
“Yeah.” My voice cracks. “Big publisher. Six figures. Just needs… changes. Steamier. Tighter. His words, basically.”
Kaleb doesn’t speak right away. He reaches over, covers my hand with his—big, warm, steady. Thumb strokes once across my knuckles.
“You need to follow your heart, Taron,” Kaleb says. “I might be a Daddy, but when it comes to something like this, the decision has to be yours.Always. But before you decide… there’s someone I want you to meet.”
I blink up at him. “Who?”
He stands, offers his hand. “Come on. It’s not far.”
I take Kaleb’s hand and let him pull me up. We walk side by side through the square, past the fountain, past the maple tree. Past the grocery store where Mrs. Peplinska waves from the doorway. Kaleb nods back, but he keeps us moving.
We end up at the diner.
The bell jingles as we step inside. Same checkered floor, same blackboard menu, same smell of bacon and coffee that feels like home now. A few regulars glance up, smile at Kaleb and at me too.