Anthony looks stunned, Nick looks like a raging bull and Mom just looks speechless.
“You grew up together! He groomed you! How can you not see that, Nay?” Nick spits, struggling against Anthony.
“Okay, that’s enough!” Mom snaps. “Take him outside to cool down,” she says to Anthony.
He begins hauling his brother away, but Nick doesn’t stop fighting.
“You’re dead to me! You fucking hear that! Sick psycho fuck!” he shouts, his protests growing fainter as Anthony drags him outside.
I squeeze Naomi’s hip gently, and she turns to me, tears in her eyes, before burying her face into my chest. I hold her to me as she sobs.
Mom’s gaze never leaves us. There’s disappointment in her eyes, that’s for sure, but also something else that I can’t quite read. Understanding? Acceptance? Maybe I’m being a little too hopeful.
Chapter Twenty One
Naomi
After Anthony gets Nick to leave, I’m able to convince Kolter to go home, and my mom and I sit on my bed in silence for what feels like hours before she finally speaks.
“How long?”
I look up at her nervously, twisting my fingers together. “A little while.”
“A little while as in weeks, months, years? I mean, were you together when he was living here?” she asks.
“No. I mean, I’ve definitely had feelings for him since then, but no. We didn’t get together officially until a few weeks ago.”
Mom nods to herself like that piece of information is a relief. She doesn’t say anything more, though, which is extremely unlike her.
“You’re mad, right?” I ask.
Stupid question, I know, but how else do I break this suffocating tension?
Her gaze meets mine, and her expression softens. “I’m… surprised, but no, baby. I’m not mad.”
This catches me off guard.
Mom sighs and pats my leg. “Come on, Nay. We all know you’ve been in love with Kolter since before we adopted him.Nick and Anthony know it too, even if Nick doesn’t want to admit it.”
Yeah, to say the least.
“I always wondered if something would come of those feelings. If me bringing Kolter into the house would cause any issues. Between him and Nick, between you and Nick, between you and Kolter.”
“They didn’t.”
“But they have now,” she retorts with a heavy look. “I have a feeling Nick’s reaction would have been similar whether Kolter was part of our family or not, though.”
“He made Kolter sound gross, predatory. That’s not what this is—it’s not what we have,” I say quietly, more to myself than anything.
My mom gives me a soft smile. “I know, sweetheart. I know your heart, and I know Kolter’s. Which is why I know how beautifully you two fit. Our family dynamic makes things… unconventional to a stranger off the street, but since when do we care what others think?”
I’m truly stunned. I mean, this is not how I thought this conversation would go. Could anyone have seen this coming? Usually, when one of your brothers finds you making out with your other brother—granted we’re not actually related—and your mom is there too… yeah, it doesn’t usually end with a positive statement that you two are good together and who cares what anyone else thinks. My mom never ceases to amaze me.
“I love you, Nay, and I love Kolter too. I want the best for both of you, and if that’s each other, then you’ll always have my support.”
Tears of relief prick my eyes, and I smile at her. “How did you become so amazing?”
She lets out a short laugh. “Single mom of three that turned into four. I learned quick to not sweat the small stuff.”