“Oh, are you also newly coming to terms with your sexuality, Thad?” Angela asked, her tone as pleasant as if they were discussing the weather.
“No,” Thad croaked. He cleared his throat. “No. I, uh, have been aware I was bisexual since I was in high school.”
“An early adopter!” Paul said, grinning.
Everyone stared.
“He works as legal counsel for a tech firm,” Angela said with a shrug. “Ignore his bad jokes. Anyway, continue, Thad.”
Jesus, Thad couldn’t tell if this conversation was going well or was just …weird. Who Graham was as a person made a lot of sense now.
“Uh, so, yeah, I was aware of my sexuality early on,” Thad repeated. “But it took me a little while to realize I felt more than friendship for Graham. Plus, it was … complicated.”
“Why’s that?” Cory asked, her tone curious, though not at all accusatory.
“Well, my twin brother is Graham’s general manager.”
“Ahh yes, that is a conflict of interest,” Angela agreed. “Graham, once you two started dating, I assume you told Gavin and notified HR immediately?”
“Uhh,” Graham said. “Well, notimmediatelybut yes they do know now.”
Thad bit back a laugh. That was one way to put it.
“That’s good,” she said with an approving nod.
“There’s more,” Thad said, taking a deep breath.
He and Graham had discussed this, and Thad had insisted he’d rather be the one to tell Graham’s family about his history than have Graham do it.
He was starting to regret the choice but he wasn’t about to back down now.
“I am, uh, an ex-con. I went to Pine Grove Correctional Facility for five years for robbery, then was sentenced to an additional five years for assault while I was incarcerated.”
Everyone was silent for a moment.
“Pine Grove? You lived in Pennsylvania then?” Paul asked, looking pleased.
“Yes,” Thad said, confused it was the part he’d latched onto. “I grew up near Pittsburgh. Graham and I have a lot in common there.”
“How long ago were you released?” Angela asked eventually, her expression a little more wary than Paul’s.
Graham squeezed his hand.
“It's been fourteen years,” Thad said, sitting up straighter. “I completed my parole and worked various jobs in Pennsylvania and New York. About a year ago, I got hired by the Harriers and moved permanently to Boston. I’m grateful my brother gave me a chance to prove myself in this position.”
“Yes. It can be so difficult to find employment after release,” Angela said with a nod. “That’s wonderful you were able to find a career that suited you.”
“Uhh, yes,” Thad said because he still couldn’t get a read on what everyone else was thinking. Their expressions were pleasant enough, but theyhadto be feeling shocked about what he’d shared, right?
Except maybe Paul. He seemed to be off in his own little world.
Thad cleared his throat. “Anyway, I am aware of your position as a district attorney, ma’am, and?—”
“Oh, please, call me Angela,” she said. “And technically, I won’t take office until January. I’m the ADA until then.”
“Assistant district attorney, then,” Thad corrected. “I understand if you have some reservations about your son dating me, but I hope you’ll be willing to get to know me and know I love him very much and will do everything I can to be a good—good, uh, partner to him.”
“Well,” she said. “That’s wonderful to hear and I assumed he wouldn’t be dating you otherwise. As far as any reservations we have”—she glanced at her husband—“I think we try to be open-minded people. We’re more than happy to take you at face value and base our thoughts on who you are now rather than your past.”
