Thad’s brain sputtered out, unable to come up with a single word in answer.
“You work for the team, don’t you?” Cory asked, leaning in.
“Uhh, yes,” Thad admitted, grateful for the assist that had gotten his brain working again. “In the social media department.”
“It’s so nice to officially meet you,” Cory said with a twinkle in her eye. “When you’re fully dressed.”
Thad stifled a groan. So much for the assist. Maybe Cory should have been a hockey player with chirps like that. Then again, maybe she was. Thad had never asked.
“Cory,” Graham said warningly while everyone else turned to look.
“I’m sorry,” she said with a laugh. “I couldn’t resist.”
“Uhh, should I be worried?” Brody asked, but he looked more amused than threatened by the idea of his fiancée seeing her brother’s boyfriend undressed.
Graham made a face. “A little while ago, Cory and I were video chatting. Thad came out from the bedroom wearing his underwear. He thought I was talking on the phone, and he didn’tmeanto flash Cory.”
Thad looked straight into the camera. “Iamsorry, Cory.”
“Oh no,” she said. “It was a nice view. You have great taste in men, Graham.”
Graham laughed. “Thanks. I think.”
“So, you’re bi, Graham?” Paul said with a thoughtful look.
“Uhh, yes,” Graham said. “Apparently. Thad and I have been friends for about a year now and last spring I started to develop other feelings for him and …” He shrugged as if the rest was self-explanatory.
Angela frowned. “Weren’t you dating Madison then, Graham? And that other woman for a little while at the end of last season. I forget her name.”
“Yeah. It took me a bit to figure out what I wanted.”
“I hope you weren’t worried about what we would think, Graham,” Paul said. “Because it’s perfectly normal. Sexuality is a continuum and it’s not uncommon that people don’t realize their orientation until somewhat later in life. I myself didn’t realize I found men attractive until I was in my fifties.”
Everyone except his wife turned to look at him.
“What?” Graham said, his words overlapping with Cory’s bewildered, “Dad?”
“What?” Paul responded, looking confused.
Angela chuckled.
“Uhh, Dad,” Cory said. “First of all, you’re not usually this talkative unless you’re fired up about something legal. Second, what thehell? Since when are youbi?”
“I told, you, I was in my fifties,” he said as if that explained it all.
“I think what she’s asking is what made you realize this,” Angela said with a small smile.
“Oh. I realized I was developing a crush on my racquetball partner. Don’t worry though, I spoke to your mother about it right away and we agreed it was a harmless fancy that needn’t have any negative impact on the relationship she and I have. We’re very solid.”
“That’s, uh, great,” Graham said faintly, even though he looked a little shell-shocked.
Thad knew the feeling. This was not going the way he’d expected.
“Would have been nice to know before now, Dad,” Graham said with a rueful little laugh, rubbing his head.
“Oh.” Paul looked startled. “At the time I didn’t think it would be relevant but, yes, in hindsight I suppose it would have been. I apologize.”
“Uhh, that’s okay,” Graham said slowly. “Anyway, yeah, I was dating some other people at first. It took Thad and me a little while to work this all out.”
