"Kayden," she said gently.
He flinched at the sound of her voice but didn't lift his head.
"Look at me."
It took a moment, but he raised his eyes slightly. There was shame there. Fear. Regret. But also hope.
Rassel didn't smile, but her voice held no anger. "It's okay."
Kayden blinked in disbelief. "What?"
"It's okay," she repeated. "I'm not mad at you. I'm not disappointed in you."
Kayden's lips parted as if to speak, but no words came. His eyes were glassy.
"I'm just worried about your parents," she added quietly. "That's the only thing that scares me. Not who you love."
Kayden.
Rassel called his name softly again, and he glanced in her direction without saying a word.
"I want you to know," she began gently, "I don't have anything against you and Thaddeus being together. Not at all. What you two share, it's your choice, your heart. I only have one concern, and I've already spoken to my brother about it. I just hope he can work on it soon."
