The Bad Son (Book 2)

Chapter 9

"Ma, you have to see this!" Ley screamed at the top of her lungs as the long black limousine stopped outside. She held her curtain open, staring unabashed. 

Ma walked into her room, and sighed. She wasn't used to Lemon screaming unless it was about boys. "What is it, Lemon? I'm busy and don't forget, you have dinner tonight."

"I know, Ma, but I've never seen a limo in this neighborhood. Have you?"

Ma pushed Ley from the window. "That's pretty fancy for here." Then she saw Can get out followed by a man who looked like Prince Charming. "Ley..."

"Yes, Ma?"

"Is that our Cantaloupe?"

Ley snuggled next to Ma and screamed. The curtain dropped and both women rushed downstairs and out the front door. They needed to meet Cantaloupe's Prince Charming! The family dog, Gucci was barking hysterically at the women as they tripped trying to put on their shoes. Ley gave up, not wanting him to drive off.

Ma gasped out, "Invite him to dinner, Ley! I'm on my way, but if it looks like he's leaving..."

"Got it, Ma!" Her voice floated back as she ran for the gate, bare feet slapping on the cement. 

"Can, who's you're friend?" Ma heard the iron gate clang as Ley threw it open. She walked sedately out to greet the group of young people. Tall Prince Charming looked uncomfortable, but Can, he looked like he had been crying. Her eyes narrowed sharply at the man in white. No one hurts her babies.

Can sighed, "Ma, this is Tin Medthanan. Tin, this is Ma and my sister Ley." He glared at them. "I'm not sure what they're doing right now... but it's okay for you to go."

Tin nodded his greeting to both women, feeling very uncomfortable. "Mrs. Kirakorn. Ms. Kirakorn, I'll be going then. Have a pleasant day."

Ley sighed as Tin left. "Who is he, Cantaloupe? He is beautiful."

"He's not for you, Lemon. Remember that." Cantaloupe almost ran into the house and then thought better. "Actually, Ley, stay away from him. He's too good for us." 

"Ma, what the hell does that mean?" Ley turned, puzzled? Ma was smiling. 

"I think Can has finally met his match, dear. Leave him alone and stay away. He needs some time." Ma walked back to the house. Laundry didn't do itself. "And Ley, stop dreaming and start making dinner. Can's hungry."

Ley stomped her feet. She hated a problem with no solution. She would find out why she was to stay away from Tin Medthanan. Actually, she would find out WHO Tin Medthanan was!

Tin scrolled through the news sites on his phone, double checking that the company acquisition was not released yet. He wanted bells and whistles. There was an option on the shares he bought. If he pulled out, 2200 people would be facing termination. They knew it. 

Smiling happily, he threw his phone aside and stretched. That was the nice thing about taking the limo for the day - leg room. Leg room... 

He had to admit that there had been plenty of room with Can back here too. His smile softened as he remembered the weight of him in his arms. How he clung around his neck as he cried. It had felt good to be needed. He glanced down at his phone.

He felt like an idiot. He wanted Can's phone number! Then those nosy women showed up! Everything except escaping slipped his mind. Everything except the feel of his slightly roughened hand on his forearm and what it was doing to his lower body. 

Tin wanted to explore that, see if it was real. He wanted to know if Can was experiencing the same thing when they touched. "God, if you're real, whatever god you are," He prayed, "Let this be real."

He knew it bad of him. He knew it was dangerous for Can. He was a moth drawn to the flame. Can burned too bright for him to fly away.

"Ma, he's just a customer at the bar." Can was tired. He had already told Ley to fuck off in no uncertain terms and been told off by Ma. Now, it was Ma's turn. "Look, I'm moving out if you don't lay off me. I can't take this. Back off or I'll swear at you too."

Can turned and trudged, slowly and methodically, up the stairs. Ma watched with narrowed eyes. Well, it wasn't the Prince Charming who hurt her boy. He was in pain, but it wasn't that man who did it. 

She would slap Ley silly for filling her head full of that boy love stuff. If Can wanted a man, Can could love a man. Lemon better stay the hell out of her brother's love life or there would be hell to pay - Ma's hell, which was far worse than the devil's.

Taking a deep breath, Ma stood in front of Can's door and prepared to knock. 

"Don't bother knocking, Ma. I hear you breathing. Get in here." Ma snorted. Sometimes she wondered if that boy would survive in the real world. He was a odd boy, sensitive, thoughtful and completely clueless.

"Cantaloupe, talk to your Ma. Tell me what is going on. I know you were crying." Ma sat down on his bed. He bounced on the old mattress. 

Once again, Can fought back tears. He was SO tired of crying. Did Ma have to mention it? So what does he say? "Tin told me not to talk about it, Ma." 

Ma only looked at him, her brows crossed with worry. "Is this Tin now a part of our family that he's solving your problems?"

It started slowly. One tear trickled down from the corner of his eye. "Ma, I don't know what to do. I don't know anything! Not about butterflies or about this. But it feels right to wait, like he said."

Ma patted his hand. She was right. Can had it bad for the Prince Charming. The tears were falling faster. Can crawled into her lap and snuggled, the way he did when he was a boy. She held him, rocking. Soon, he wouldn't to do this, it would be the man in the white suit offering comfort.

"My son, it will be alright." Ma whispered, patting his back repeatedly. "It will all make sense soon." 

Ley's voice echoed throughout the house, "Supper's ready."

Can sniffed. "It's supper time already? Ley cooked?"

Ma rolled her eyes. "Obviously. I can't comfort you and cook at the same time."

Can side eyed her. "What did she make? Are you going to let her poison me for swearing at her today?"

Ma smacked his shoulder, hard. "Honestly, Can! Grow up! Go wash your face and come to the table. I can hear your stomach talking from here."

Sniffling, Can got up and walked to the door. "Thanks, Ma."

She nodded, still sitting on the bed. Good lord, she thought, how do I tell Dad that Can's in love with a boy?