Tessa hadn't spoken the entire ride to the breakfast restaurant. She continuously picked at her thumbnail, chewing on her fingernail and glaring at it a few times. Her fingers gripped the steering wheel a bit harder than usual, and she did not glance once towards her son or the guest in the backseat. Although Kane knew what he had said had crossed boundaries but what Michael had said was a game changer. He had offended Kane's entire dignity and there was no chance he was going to let that go. Neither of them were willing to start the conversation as both were steaming, and Jay awkwardly listened to their heavy exhaled, saddened that this had been entirely his fault.

He decided that he should be the one to start the conversation in hopes that they eventually talk as well; it was unfair that he shattered this family and did nothing to mend it. They both heard him clear his throat and their ears perked, although neither of them glanced towards him.

Jay leaned forward towards them. "I know this isn't good timing but," he sighed, pausing for a moment before he continued, "I wanted to say I'm sorry for causing all these troubles. I didn't know it was going to turn out this way and if I had known, I would have never even thought about throwing my issues onto you guys—"

"Jay, what the fuck are you even saying?" Kane raised an eyebrow, shaking his head.

Tessa spoke next. "I agree, you have nothing to be sorry about." Her tone was grumpy and he didn't feel as though they genuinely meant it.

That was why he spoke again. "I know you're just saying that now but—"

"I told you I love you," Kane spun around in his seat and met his gaze. They hadn't been friends for a little while and he had started falling for Robby, but Jay had never ceased to be in the back of his mind. If Jay had accepted him that time, they would be together now. He tilted his head but his regard was still narrowed. "And I'd do anything for you. So you're staying with us whether my garbage excuse of a step-father agrees with it or not—"

"I always knew you had the hots for him," Tessa snorted, glancing towards her son and smiling for a second before her face fell again. "But don't talk about Mike like that, he's still my husband."

"Mike shouldn't have spoken to me that way—"

"And you defended yourself which was fine," she retorted, eyeing her son for a moment when they reached a red light. "But then you started adding on about hearing you both moan and doing it on our bed which I'm not pleased about." Kane simply rolled his eyes and turned away, attempting to find anything else interesting outside in hopes to tune out his mother. "It was not only disrespectful, it was disrespectful to me."

"How did I disrespect you ma'?"

"You forget that it's my fucking bed too!" she snapped, raising her voice. Although arguments between them were not common, Tessa hated when Kane had snappy remarks without taking ownership of what he had done. "I'm telling you that you did too much and that was no longer defending yourself but being an immature brat and a coward."

"Mom, Mike literally wanted to say no to Jay because he's gay! How do you not see anything wrong with that?"

"I'm on your side Kane! I always am!" she screamed, her grip around the steering wheel growing tighter. "But at the end of the day, he's the home owner and he does get a say about who stays in the house."

"That's bullshit."

"And he's also your step-dad so you need to be able to withhold all the nasty comments and have an adult conversation with since neither of you are going anywhere." She shook her head and finally turned in the parking lot of the restaurant. "I'm disappointed in you Kane, I really am."

Kane was seconds from retaliating when Tessa pushed open their car door and stepped out of the car. She then pulled open Jay's door, helping him out of the car before closing it behind him. She wrapped an arm around his shoulders and grinned at him. "You don't have anything to worry about, you caused nothing, alright?"

Jay couldn't help but feel his heart melt into the rest of his burning organs. He could not remember the last time he could feel such genuine motherly love, and at that moment, he was jealous of Kane for having Tessa in his life. She pinched his cheek as he walked and added, "We're about to have an amazing meal and then we can go back and I'll give you a house tour. Doesn't that sound lovely?"

"Umm..." Jay patted the pockets of his shorts and his eyebrows curled sadly. "I didn't bring money with m—"

"Don't be silly," she patted his shoulder, opening the restaurant door for him.

***

Kane and Tessa barely spoke throughout the meal. Each their answers were dry and Jay felt the tension whenever their gazes met. They were both stubborn, a inherited character trait and the reason why his father had falling in love with Tessa, but Tessa knew when it was time to be the mother again. She exhaled a long sigh in the car while they were driving back and Kane it was coming. However, on a full stomach, neither of them were angry anymore.

"Kane," she said quietly, glancing towards her son with a smile. "I'm not sure what's going to happen when we get back but just know I love you and I have your back."

Kane nodded his head, now feeling guilty for being obnoxious to her. "Thank you ma'." After a short pause, he scratched the side of his face before adding, "And I'm sorry for saying these things. It was immature of me. I love you too."

"It's okay baby. Just know if I ever have to choose between this marriage and you," she reached for his palm and pulled it towards her lips, placing a long warm peck against his skin. She then smiled and breathed, "I would always choose you. My real soulmate was always your father," she winked.

Kane knew his mother would always have his back which he was grateful for, but most importantly, he was also happy to glance over his shoulder and see a distracted Jay with his face much more peaceful than it had been ever since last night. He was grateful that Jay had re-entered his life and was going to do anything to keep him there.