Apollo’s car sped down the road. He never thought he would want to stay at the mansion. But it wasn’t the same place as when he was growing up. It was different now—now that Popi and Seb were there. The sound of laughter was now common around the house. And each morning all the drapes were pulled back, flooding the mansion with bright, rejuvenating sunshine.
At first he’d started working on the neglected gardens as a way of getting out of the house, but now he had to force himself to go work on the project. He’d much rather stay inside and follow Popi around. But he knew that was a fool’s errand.
Popi was planning to leave the estate—leave him—just as soon as Infinity Island’s updates were completed. The closer the time for her departure came, the more he realized he didn’t want her to leave.
He’d even considered giving her a reason to stay—with him. The only reason he’d resisted the urge was knowing he couldn’t give her what she wanted. Long-term relationships didn’t work out for him. Every one that he’d had ended in disaster. And he wouldn’t subject Seb to a broken home.
Apollo slowed the car as he neared the bistrot where he was to meet up with Matias. He found a parking spot on the busy street and slipped his black Greek supercar into the spot.
As he walked into the darkened bistrot, he realized he should have turned Matias down on the phone. His life had changed and his wings had been clipped.
An image of Seb filled his mind. He knew that giving up his old nomadic ways was for the best. He loved Seb with all his heart. But sometimes he let himself imagine what his next adventure might entail—until his thoughts turned to holding Seb in his arms. Then Apollo knew he was right where he belonged—embarking on the most important adventure of his life.
Matias waved from across the room.
Apollo made his way to him, ordering a dark ale on his way. He took a seat across the table from a friend he’d made while trekking through Nepal. He’d met so many interesting people along his travels. In an effort to keep people from flocking to him because of his family’s fortune, he typically used his mother’s maiden name. Some would exchange information, along with a promise to keep in contact, but it was rare he would hear from anyone again. Matias was different.
They had kept in contact over the past eight years. Like him, Matias’s family was influential in Madrid. It made it easy for them to open up to each other because neither wanted anything from the other. And along the way, they found they had a lot in common, like avoiding commitments, not living up to family expectations and enjoying the thrill of an adventure.
“Hey, man.” Matias got to his feet. They clutched hands, pulled each other close and, with their free hands, clapped each other on the back. They quickly pulled apart. “It’s good to see you, man. I mean it’s really good to see you.”
“Thanks. I’m surprised to see you in Athens.”
“I’m just passing through. After I heard about your accident, I wanted to see that you’re truly in one piece.”
They both sat down and a waitress brought their drinks. Apollo took a sip of the dark brew. “Yeah. That was a bad one. Doctors weren’t sure if I was going to make it or not.”
“I would have been there for you if I had known about it.”
Apollo shook off the idea. “There was nothing you could do. Nothing anyone could do. It just took time.”
“And so you’ve decided to spend some time at home?”
With reluctance, he told Matias about his brother’s death and the new baby. He skimmed over the subject of Popi. He wasn’t sure how to describe his relationship with her. Was that right? Did they have a relationship?
His mind slipped back to the steamy kisses they’d shared. And they’d have shared so much more if not for her pregnancy. But did that equate to a relationship?
Then again, they were sharing a home. And they were sharing a baby, not to mention the time they spent gardening together and the meals they shared. The more these facts piled up, the harder it got for him to stick his head in the sand and refuse to accept what was right in front of him.
He was involved in a romantic relationship with Popi. And he was committed to being a full-time father to Seb.