Page 60 of Creed

“Of course.”

“And you’ll tell me the truth?”

“The best I can.”

He slipped his hands into his hoodie pockets and dropped his head before asking, “Did you know?”

“Know what?”

“About Brooklyn?” He glanced up long enough to watch my reaction as he added, “Dad’s girlfriend.”

“I knew he was seeing someone.”

“For how long?”

“Where is this coming from?”

“I heard them talking. I know he was seeing her when he was still with you.” His eyes narrowed. “Did you know he was screwing around?”

“Whether he did or didn’t have a girlfriend wouldn’t have changed anything, Austin. Not for me.” I was walking on treacherous ground, and the last thing I wanted to do was hurt him more than he’d already been hurt. So, I told him, “I wasn’t happy, and I hadn’t been happy for a very long time.”

“But that doesn’t give him the right to step out on you.”

“Your father has every right to be happy, and if Brooklyn’s what makes him happy, I wish him the best. I really, really do.”

“Brooklyn sucks.”

“But your dad likes her, and he must like her a lot to bring her around you guys. So, maybe you should give her a chance.”

“You’re just saying that because you want us to like your biker guy.”

“His name is Jameson, and you’re right. I do want you to like him, but I’m not going to push. I just ask that you understand that he’s important to me.”

“So, you really like him.”

“I really do.”

“And you think he’ll be better than Dad?”

“Not better. Just different.”

Austin thought for a moment, then said, “Alright. I’ll give the guy a chance.”

“Thank you, sweetie.” I walked over and wrapped my arms around him, hugging him tight. And for the first time, in a long time, he didn’t tense up or pull away. He just let me hug him. “I love you, Austin. I love you to the moon and back.”

“Love you, too, Mom.”

I hugged him a moment longer before releasing him and taking a step back. “Is there any pizza left?”

“Yeah, it’s in the fridge.”

“You want some?”

“Nah, you go ahead. I’m gonna crash.”

“Okay. I’ll see ya in the morning.”

While I hated that he’d learned the truth about his father and Brooklyn, I felt like he and I were on the same page for the first time in a very long time, and that meant the world to me. I adored Austin, and I wanted so much for things to heal between us. I hoped that tonight was a step in the right direction.