He opens the door of the refrigerator. “The fridge will be stocked until you two learn to shop and cook on your own.”
I stare at him, mouth agape and eyes wide. “You want me to cook?”
“We expect you to be ready for everything,” he answers. “We’re teaching you life skills.”
“Who is going to teach me?”
“One of our volunteers will be here every day to teach you a different skill, including ironing,” he states.
“Well, isn’t this fucking ironic,” I mumble.
He grins. “There’s another life lesson. Life is full of ironies.”
We walk down a hallway, he opens a door, and there are several instruments in there, including a drum kit. “This room is soundproofed,” he states. “This is one of the reasons we assigned you to this place.”
“I assume the bedrooms are upstairs?”
“No. Upstairs has a loft and a bathroom. That’s where you’ll be sleeping”
I run upstairs. There are two full-size beds and two desks, each one has a computer on top. It’s cool, but also, I’m going to be sharing a room with someone. I don’t care about the rest of the house. I want privacy.
“If I offer to pay for my apartment?”
He shrugs. “Until you receive your emancipation, Kade and I are in charge of you.”
“But after that, I can move out?” I stare at him suspiciously.
It’s not like I can’t share a room with another guy. I just don’t see the point of sharing an apartment with a stranger when I can afford my own space. I’m over living with strangers.
He nods a couple of times, but something about his face tells me that he’s not going to let me go willingly. Am I paranoid?
“Mom left me an allowance,” I insist. “It is enough to rent a place, isn’t it?”
“Why do you want to move out?”
I shrug. “I’ve been living with strangers all my life—”
“When you go to college, you’re going to stay in a dorm with a roommate. This is a—”
“Please don’t say ‘life lesson,’” I beg him.
“It’s his favorite phrase.” I hear Matt before I spot him coming up the stairs. “Ever since our oldest child came to live with us, he’s been full of wisdom and life lessons.”
I heard from Hannah that Thea’s son came to live with her during Christmas time. A guy she gave up for adoption when he was born. I guess that explains why Thea wanted to help me when she met me.
“Hey, Babe.” Matt gives his husband a peck on the lips, and then he looks at me. “How do you like the place?”
“Where should I put my things?”
I move to the left to see who spoke. A guy around my age is coming up the stairs carrying his luggage. Is this their son?
Why would they send him away? So much for wanting to help others but not keeping their own family safe.
He’s maybe a couple of inches taller than I am, and he’s as thin as me. His dark blonde hair is long enough to reach the collar of his sweater, and it almost covers his enigmatic eyes.
“Zeke, this is Ethan. Ethan, this is Zeke, your new roommate," Matt introduces us.
His crystal blue gaze stares at me for a second. He’s as thrilled about being here as I am.
Me too, buddy. Me too.
Why are adults so clueless? Isn’t it obvious to them that neither one of us wants to be here?
“I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but I’d rather be in a smaller place where there are bedrooms and more privacy,” I state, hoping this Ethan guy will agree with me.
Matt glances at me and then back at Tristan. “Did you show him the music room?”
“He did,” I answer. “What does that have to do with this place?”
“We paired you as roommates because both of you have a knack for music,” he explains. “It’s easier for any of your music teachers to visit this place. In a way, it’s more about our comfort than yours.”
Tristan adds, “Also, we don’t have any rooms available. This space has been empty for years. We fixed it up after we realized that you two could use it.”
“So, you expect us to become a duo or somehow become famous like your captain of the Vancouver Orcas?” I ask, wondering about their crazy expectations. “Let me tell you, I’m no Justin Bieber.”
Tristan rolls his eyes while Matt chuckles. “Is it me or does this kid go from zero to sixty within seconds? One moment he’s showing zero excitement about learning to play the drums, and the next, he’s the next heartthrob.”
“I didn’t—”
“Save it,” he interrupts me. “Let’s finish this show and tell. We have to run several errands before going home.”
“That reminds me,” Tristan says, handing money to Ethan. “You can order takeout for today. Tomorrow you start your cooking lessons.”
I wink at him. “If anything, I might become a Stepford husband.”
Ethan chuckles and shakes his head. Well, at least he can laugh at my stupidities. This might not be as dreadful as I thought.
Chapter Seven
Ethan
When Tucker’s fathers leave, I stare at the door, then study the apartment where I’m supposed to live for the next two years. Or at least until I graduate from high school, though I’m welcome to stay longer if it’s needed.
That’s what they offered. What they don’t know is that Tucker has other plans for us. He wants to leave the state this weekend. Who am I kidding? I’m stuck here. He’s been saying the same thing every day since we ended up on the doorstep of his biological mother. We don’t have the money nor a real plan to leave. I’m in purgatory only a few steps from falling into hell. I didn’t even make it all the way down to hell.
“So, what did you do?” Zeke asks.
Then there’s this guy. I’m sure he’s okay. I glance at him again. Better than fine. Hot, to be exact. I’m already dealing with a broken heart. Why add him to the mix. Not that I can fall in love with anyone else. First, I’d have to fall out of love with Tucker. He’s it for me.
Unfortunately, he’ll never love me the same way I do. Yep, I’m falling into hell. This is probably the first circle—limbo.
I should’ve stayed in Texas. But no, I had to come along to make sure he’s safe. He’s not only safe, but the guy is going to be okay. Tucker won the fucking lottery. He found his long-lost mother, who happens to be sweet, lovely, and wealthy as fuck.
I wish my father would try to find me. I never met him. In my head, he’s supportive, loving, and nothing like my mother. He wouldn’t want to kill me for being me. I like to picture him that way and not think that the guy abandoned my mother before I was born.
“You okay there?”
I look up at Zeke and nod a couple of times.
“So why are you here?” he repeats his question. “I’d think that they’d want to live with their son.”
I frown. “Who?”
“Matt and Tristan.” He points toward the door. “Aren’t you Thea’s long-lost son?”