“You hate shopping.” Maisie narrowed her eyes.
“Hate is a strong word, and you already know what you want to get, so it won’t be that painful.”
The topic bloomed, and everyone considered what costumes they could wear to the con and finished on arguments about The Hobbit movies adaptation and theunnecessary extra plot. I filled everyone in on the renovations of my apartment and Beck’s ingenious idea of renting it. With round three of drinks, the only subject at hand was Wes’s feud with Ethan and how we could all help him solve it.
Nothing was different in the dynamic with our friends, but the absolute relief of having our relationship in the open was enormous. I put my head on Beck’s shoulder, and he sniffed my hair as the conversation continued. The easy atmosphere made it hard to believe we had both just come out and that one of the scariest things one could do in front of their friends turned out to be so simple. They all made coming out easy, and those were the types of friends I’d been looking for all along.
Chapter Twenty-One
Beck
My stomach was a wreck.
Sure, coming out to my mom and brother had gone well, but bringing Cay to my mom’s retirement party was a whole other deal.
Emery lived in Glencoe, in a nice two-story house with white siding and a black slate roof. Combined with the mauve shutters and paved walkway leading to the door, it was picturesque. A bunch of cars were already parked along the street, which meant we’d be walking into a messload of people. My favorite. I pulled into a spot behind the last car and turned off theignition.
“Do you have a big family?” Cay asked, all but bouncing in his seat. He didn’t seem nauseated. Rather, he looked excited. The sight tamped down some of my nerves, and I couldn’t help the grin that tugged at my lips.
“Not massive, but there should be between twenty and thirty folks here between aunts, uncles, my brother’s family, and some of my mom’s friends,” I said, the sweat from my palms imprinting on the steering wheel. “You know, it’s not too late to turn around and go back home.” Cay hadn’t fully moved into my place yet, but the process had started. Scariest part was that I liked sharing my space with him, even though sometimes I wanted to hang him by the socks he left on the floor. Except I’d bring the issue up, and he’d give me that dopey grin and just deal with it, and fuck, I couldn’t resist him.
“And miss out on all those people?” Cay said, passing me a teasing glance. “I know that’s more my speed than yours. But it’s your family. I’m sure they’ll be nice.”
“Questionable.” I scrubbed my face with my palms. “If Uncle Luther is anywhere near alcohol, just avoid him at all costs.”
Cay snickered. “Is his first name Lex?”
“Shut it.” I tossed up a middle finger, wondering for the thousandth time what possessed me to show up with my boyfriend to a big family function.
“Hey, we’ve got this,” Cay said, giving my leg a squeeze.
“How are you not worried?” I muttered, reaching up to adjust my tie.
“Simple. I got the guy. It’s all easier from here on out.” Cay flashed me that charming-as-fuck grin, and I melted.
“All right, let’s get this over with.” I popped the door open and stepped out before I got away with myself and drove us off to fuck instead. We were here to celebrate Mom, which meant she would be in the spotlight, not me arriving with a boyfriend.
We hadn’t gotten a few paces down the walkway when the door flew open. Emery stood in the frame, and he was already heading in our direction. I’d shot him a text I was bringing my boyfriend, and he’d tossed me a “Cool!” back, which was far simpler than the drawn-out talk with my mother.
However, via message was one thing. In person, it hit differently. Emery stared at me with the same open eyes, and when we came to a stop right in front of him, he opened his arms for a hug. I squeezed him tight, and then he turned to Cay.
“So, you’re the guy who locked down Beck, eh? Respect, man.” He lifted his fist, and Cay bumped it. The two grinned at each other, and a second later, my brother was offering him a hug too. Some of those nerves settled at the sight, and the warmth that flooded through me threatened to knock them out entirely.
“Come on,” Emery said, tilting his head toward the door. “Half the family’s here.”
I wrinkled my nose, but Cay slipped his hand into mine, his callused palm a solidness I clutched to right now. Just like the first time I’d met him, his calm coolness in social situations gave me the tether I needed.
A shout of excitement came from Mom and Aunt Hilary when they caught sight of us. I’d given Mom permission to let the family know, mostly because I didn’t feel like explaining myself over and over again. They rushed up to us, and a second later, Cay and I were getting squashed in hugs on either side in a cloud of whatever Chanel perfume Aunt Hilary was wearing. Mom was beaming, clearly basking in all the attention she deserved.
When Mom pulled back from me, she faced Cay. Aunt Hilary was still hanging off his arm, and I was tempted to pull it away. Mine.
“You know you’re the first person Beck’s brought around to meet everyone, right?” Mom placed her hands on her hips. “That must make you pretty special.”
Ugh. I tried to glance away but already caught Cay’s big smile and affectionate gaze in my direction. All this sweetness was going to kill me, and I loved it.
“You two are so cute together!” Melissa, Emery’s wife, squealed. She’d appeared from… somewhere, along with Uncle Ray. “Emery told us youwere here.”
“Well, we made our appearance, so I guess it’s time to leave,” I said, turning around as if I were heading out the door. I was only half kidding.
