Robert smirks. "Seriously though, good thinking bringing out the gay tonight. These liberal donors eat that shit up. Perfect timing with the equality ballot measure coming up."
My spine straightens and my shoulders stiffen. "Excuse me?"
"You know," Thomas continues, oblivious to my tone. "The whole 'look how accepting our family is' angle. Dad's polling numbers with the under-thirty demographic jumped five points after you came out. Best thing you could have done for the campaign."
A wave of nausea rolls over me, and James has gone very still beside me.
"That's not why I'm here." My throat feels tight.
"Sure, sure," Robert says, clearly not believing me. "But hey, it works out for everyone, right? You get to be yourself or whatever, Dad gets the progressive vote, and the family business keeps rolling. Win-win."
"The only person winning here is your father," James says coldly. "Caleb isn't a political prop."
"And you are?" Thomas asks with barely concealed disdain.
"I'm James. Caleb's boyfriend."
"Right," Robert says, looking James up and down. "The computer guy."
"Internet Security Specialist," I correct. "James rebuilds entire websites for LGBTQ+ charities. For free. Complete redesigns, social media integration, donation systems, he's been doing it for years."
The silence that follows is deafening.
Thomas and Robert exchange one of their looks, the kind that saysHow adorable, baby brother thinks we care.
"That's... great," Thomas finally offers, the enthusiasm of someone commenting on a stranger's vacation photos. "Robert, you were saying what about the merger?"
Just like that, dismissed. James might as well not exist.
The familiar burn of embarrassment wars with something fiercer. Anger on James's behalf. They don't get it. Don't get what James does actuallymatters, that helping organizations save lives is worth more than their fucking quarterly earnings reports.
James's hand finds the small of my back, a brief touch that grounds the spiraling thoughts. When I turn back to him, his expression has shifted into something softer.
"What?" The word comes out defensive.
"Nothing," James says quietly. "Just... Thank you. For that."
Thomas waves dismissively. "Whatever. Look, no offense, but we're talking about family business here."
"And I'm family." My jaw clenches. "Which means James is part of this conversation too."
Gavin picks this moment to come over, his big frame making both my brothers stand taller right away.
"Everything okay here?" he asks, voice deceptively light as he positions himself slightly in front of me and James.
"Just catching up," Thomas says, his tone noticeably less arrogant.
"Great," Gavin says, smiling without warmth. "Because Caleb and James have been doing amazing work tonight. Thirty grand raised for homeless LGBTQ+ youth in what, an hour? Pretty impressive."
My brothers exchange uncertain glances.
"Didn't know you were into charity," Robert says to me.
"There's a lot you don't know about me."
An awkward silence falls, broken by the announcement of the start of the formal program. My brothers mutter excuses and retreat toward the stage.
"Thanks, Gavin."
