I swipe to answer before I can talk myself out of it. "Hey, Dad."
"Gavin." His voice is cold. Not unusual. But there's something underneath it. Something sharp. "You got a minute?"
"Yeah, I'm just?—"
"Good. Because I just got off the phone with Rick Brennan. You remember him? Went to PCU same time as me. His kids are there now."
My jaw tightens. "Okay."
"He was telling me about how things have changed at the frat. How they've got—" He laughs, but it's not funny. Nothing about it is funny. "—they've got fairies in there now. Openly. Like it's normal."
I don't say anything. Can't.
Tyler's watching me, concern all over his face. I look away.
"You hear me, Gavin? Faggots. In our fraternity. The one I pledged. The one your grandfather helped build."
"Dad—"
"Rick thought it was hilarious. 'Oh, times are changing, Bill.' Bullshit. It's disgusting, is what it is." His voice gets louder. "And you're living with them? Associating with them?"
My hand's gripping the phone so hard the case creaks.
"Are you listening to me?"
"Yeah." It comes out quiet. Too quiet. "I'm listening."
"Good. So here's what you're going to do. You're going to talk to whoever's in charge now and get rid of them. Push them out. Whatever it takes. I didn't raise my son to live with ass-fuckers."
The word hits like a punch to the gut. Tyler. He's talking about Tyler. About Ethan and James and Caleb and every other guy in that house who's just trying to live their lives.
About me. He just doesn't know it.
I look up at Tyler. My best friend. The guy who's been there through everything: bad games, worse grades, family bullshit. The guy who's happier than I've ever seen him because he finally let himself fall for someone.
The guy my father wants me to "get rid of."
Something in my chest hardens.
"No."
Silence on the other end.
"What did you say?"
"I said no." My voice comes out steadier than I feel. "Tyler's my best friend. Has been since freshman year. He's the VP of the frat, and he's one of the best guys I know."
"Tyler." Dad's voice is dangerously quiet. "Tyler's one of them?"
"He's gay, yeah. So's his boyfriend. So are a few other guys in the house. And they're my brothers, Dad. I'm not pushing anyone out."
"Gavin—"
"You're wrong about this." I'm standing now, pacing Tyler's small room. "You're wrong about them. Dating a guy isn't… It's not what you think. It's not some sin or disease or whatever you've convinced yourself. It's?—"
Why am I explaining this to him?
"You know what? It's none of your damn business, actually."
