Never let go [mxm] ON HOLD

Chapter 13

Ross came out of the bathroom and returned to the table while trying to hide the distress he was in, he didn't want to ruin the date. Corbin smiled at him as he sat down.

"Everything's alright? "Corbin asked with a frown, Ross gulped nervously as he forced a smile on his face and nodded in assurance. The truth was that he wanted to leave the resturant, get to his house and check up on his son to make sure he was alright. He hasn't talked to Jennifer for years, their last conversation was in the hospital after she gave birth to Justin . It was a charged conversation that was followed by her and her parents' disappearance. He tried to contact her but she changed numbers and he was left with a newborn to name and take care of. He never thought he'd hear from her again and much less did he expect her to dare and ask for the unthinkable. She wanted to meet Justin. The audacity of that women was something else. Apparently she made the suspicious calls, trying to gather enough courage to speak, to ask for forgiveness. Did she truly believe she had the right? How come? Ross didn't want to hear from her, he didn't want her near his son. It took years for him to explain properly to Justin why he didn't have a mother like all the rest, speaking in the favor of Jennifer and making excuses for her absence. He didn't lie though, he said she left but he decorated the truth to fit the mindset of a little boy. Your mother left because she works in a far away place but she loves you, your mother left unwillingly but she loves you, she left so she can fulfill her dreams but she loves you, she left but wherever she is she loves you and very proud of you, son. That's how he spoke to Justin that was only a child, but when he grew older the ugly truth was unavoidable so Ross preferred not to elaborate. He himself was hurt and disappointed, despite being gay he still cared for her and wanted to raise Justin together with her, both of them part of his life.

To have her call and ask to see him, no , more like demand to see him, she practically just informed Ross of her future actions and Ross feared the chances of them happening. If she knew his phone number most chances were that she knew where he lived. Justin was an adult even if Ross didn't like admitting that but at the end of the day he was his little boy and it was his job to protect him, even from his mother. Jennifer was a stranger and for the moment he didn't want her near his son, mother or nor, Ross would need to get used to the idea before allowing her to see Justin. And he'd also have to tell Justin that his mother was back, that for itself was heavy. Just thinking of the whole issue gave Ross headache.

The food was ready to be devoured on the table and Ross silently ate while Corbin took the liberty of speaking and revealing more details about himself. Ross only hummed and noted to himself every small detail, trying his best to keep a cool facade. Half an hour ago he'd gulp any bit of information Corbin shared willingly and ask for more but now he couldn't bring himself to think of something like that. Corbin told about his family, his strict parents that sadly passed away on tragic circumstances which led to Avery staying with him. Ross could gather that Corbin knew what he wanted from early age, excelling in his studies and working hard to reach his targets. He was serious and did things passionately and never half heartedly , he was confident and relished in hard labor and consistency which made him a great teacher. Corbin was a lot like Ross in that aspect because they both cared and held passion towards their works but somehow Corbin looked more... admirable. Nowadays it was all about money when someone chose his career but Corbin was different, he could achieve more but settled for a job that barely paid off, he seemed taken with the idea of granting youth his time in order to help them with what was considered a difficult subject in school and was mostly hated. Moreover he wanted to give them something beyond professional treatment, he wanted to offer them a hand they could hold onto.

Ross didn't want to come out as rude so he politely cooperated and asked questions, even answering a few himself. He wasn't ready to share about Justin's mother yet, it was a sensitive issue and he thought it was better to leave it out because if he started he wasn't sure he'd be able to stop. His feelings where mixed, on the one hand he wanted Justin to meet his mom so he could get to know the woman who gave birth to him, it was his right. On the other hand, he couldn't picture himself letting that woman get near his son, there was a lot of work to be done before he could trust her with Justin, he didn't want to see him get hurt. Whether to let Jennifer meet him, was Justin's decision and so Ross would have to talk to him immediately about that.