5. Rex

CHAPTER FIVE

REX

Staring at Ian laughing as he dances with Fizz and Joey, I don’t know how long I can carry on taking things slow.

I want to be out there with him, wrapping my arms around his waist as he grinds up on me, placing kisses all over him.

Maybe my defualt setting is caveman because all I want is tto claim him in fromt of everyone. The whole fucking world needs to know Ian belongs to me.

“I need to ask Kenny for a jacket for Ian,” I tell the table at large.

Echo smiles, Jet does some weird shimmy, and Nicky and Booker finally seperate.

“Dad, ordered one yesterday,” Nicky says smiling at me with puffy lips. “Everyone knows he’s it for you, Rex.”

I look down at the table to try and stave off the tears that threaten to spill. After all this time, it still hits me right in the heart when any one of these guys does something for me that you would a family memer. I know they love me and I know we are family, but when they show that connection like supporting my choice of man, it really hits me.

“I think I am going to need to talk to Kenny.” I say and get up before anyone can say anything.

I make my way to the bar where Kenny and Stella are talking, making sure I keep Ian in my eyeline. He looks back at the table and frowns when he doesn’t see me there. That warms my heart even fucking more. At the rate I’m going the fucking thing is going to be a ball of lava sitting in my chest. I watch as he spots me and his face relaxes into a smile that I return.

He deserves the fucking world.

I turn to Kenny.

“I need you to tell me how to be the best boyfriend for Ian.” I blurt out.

Stella smiles at me. “I’m going to let you have your privacy and go dance with your man.” She takes a step away but then pulls me in for a hug. “I’ve known you for over a decade, Rex. You have a huge heart and that man is going to be lucky for all the love you’ll give him.”

She walks off and I meet Kenny’s gaze. “She’s not wrong,” he says with a smile. “You are going to be a great boyfriend.”

“But my dad?”

Kenny’s eyes soften. “You are nothing like him. Rex, you have a big heart and are a good man. Just because you share DNA with that man doesn’t mean you will be like him.”

“It doesn’t?” I hate that my voice breaks. Not that Kenny will think less of me.

“Fuck no,” he says banging his fist on the bar causing Toni, the barmaid, and her dad to gie us inquistive looks. “Booker is a great example. You see how much that boy loves Nicky? How well he treats him? His bio dad was cutfrom the same cloth as yours. Hell, if I hadn’t seen them in the same room together, I’d swear they were the same man based on your experiences.”

“But Booker has you as-”

“And you don’t?” He cuts me off. “You’re scared and I understand that, but REx, you need to believe you are capable of a strong and healthy love. Trust me on that.”

Knowing something and beleiving it are two very different things. Kenny would never lie to be about something like this so why was it so hard to beleive him.

Because what if he’s just trying to cheer you up?

Kenny wouldn’t do that.

I’m not sure that I will make a great boyfriend, but Kenny is and I trust him more than I trust myself.

“I dee the resolve in your eyes, Rex, and it better be because you’ve decided to make it official with Ian?” Kenny sayslooking hopeful.

I grin. “Yeah, I am.”