“Hey you,” I say, but as I pull him into a hug I whisper, “I’m sorry, have we fucked up?”
“Kind of,” he whispers, “I’m going to need your help.”
“Anything,” I say, letting him go. “You look great, Winbrook clearly agrees with you.”
“Thanks,” he says, keeping his arm around me as though he needs the support.
We take our spots on the loungers again and spend the rest of the morning catching up; Donovan tells us about college, spending a lot of time reassuring Sofía that he’s looking after himself. But I can tell something’s agitating him, he seems nervous.
I offer to go and get everyone a refill on their drinks, and he jumps up to say he’ll help, following me inside and closing the door behind him.
“What is going on?” I whisper.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were both going to be here?”
“I literally found out yesterday and was told it was meant to be a surprise. I thought you’d be happy to see your brother—well, and me. Also, why the football game? Is this to do with your hot roommate?”
“Shh,” he says, “I’ll catch you up on the gossip another time, today, you need to help me.”
“I already said I’d do anything, what’s going on?”
“I’m going to come out to my mom and Miguel tonight,” he says in a whispered rush, as though if he didn’t say it fast, he wouldn’t say it at all.
“Oh my god, Donovan, that’s amazing,” I say, pulling him into a hug, then realizing the issue. “Ohhh, and now we’re here.”
“Exactly,” he says.
“I mean, of course I’ll be there with you if you need me, you can tell all three of them together; I’ll hold your hand the entire time.”
“No fucking way,” he says, the anxiety pouring off of him in waves. “I can’t tell them all together, it’s too much.”
“Okay, okay,” I say, gently holding his shoulders. “It’s however you want to do it, whatever you need.”
“Thanks,” he says, taking some deep breaths. “I need you to tell Diablo for me.”
It takes me a moment to process what he’s asking…
“Wait, what?”
“I need you to tell him for me.”
I sigh. “Donovan, I can’t even imagine how scary this must be, but I genuinely don’t think he’ll react how you think he will, he loves you so much.”
“Then it doesn’t matter if you do it for me,” he gives me his puppy dog eyes, knowing I can’t resist them.
“I don’t know, coming out, it’s a big thing, I don’t want to take that away from you.”
“I get what you’re saying, but please, stop trying to be a good ally. I’ve got a big enough task telling my religious Mom and her conservative husband; that’s enough coming out barriers without also needing to tell my potentially homophobic, motorcycle club member, brother.” He pauses giving me a knowing look. “Besides, I think he’ll take it better coming from you.”
“Uh… what makes you think hearing it from me will be any better?”
He rolls his eyes. “Come on, Beth, everyone knows.”
“Everyone knows what?” I ask, panic starting to rise in my chest.
“About you and Diablo.”
“I… uh… I don’t know what you mean,” I try to play ignorant but stumble over my words… does everyone really know?
