I wonder how many mommy and daddy issues he has.
“Dinner at six,” Dad says. He rests his hand on Axl’s back. “Bring Brek. The others will be there too.”
“Brek’s friends, you mean?”
“Yes, they’re part of the family now, married or not. They live here permanently, so I think it needs to be made clear that they belong here. This is their home too.”
Dad is really not happy about his parents moving home.
“They’re moving into their own house, right? Not the big house?”
“As far as I know. That’s where they are now, anyway.”
I nod, my attention moving back to my computer screen, though I’m not reading the words there. I’m not sure how I feel about my grandparents coming home. Weirdly, this is the first time I’ve ever felt hesitant to live with family. This is the first time I’ve had the feeling of family being too close.
Curious.
“I don’t really wantto go,” Brek says as we head down the hall. He has Axl’s travel bed in his hands. I told him he didn’t need to carry it, but he took it from me anyway.
“It’s not the kind of change that you need to worry about,” I assure him.
Brek looks at me with his eyelids hooded. “Thanks,” he deadpans.
I laugh. Wrapping my arm around his waist, I pull him close. “Relax. Not a big deal. Promise.”
“Yet, everyone is acting strangely. Including you. Forgive me if I don’t believe you.”
“Fair enough.” I kiss his lips. “Then I’m invoking the relationship expectations. You have to meet my family. Even when I don’t want to go.”
“Relationship expectations?” he repeats. “Really?”
“Oh yeah. I don’t want to do this either,” I admit. “That means we do it together.”
“Huh. This should have been disclosed earlier.”
I don’t comment again as we join my brothers in the dining room. My grandparents are already there, sitting primly at the head of the table where Dad usually sits. Immediately, my shoulders tense. They don’t belong there.
Noaz, Briar, and Emerson are seated beside Gran. Then Loren and Oakley. Myro and Jessica. On the opposite side are the triplets and Haze. Levis. Which leaves me, Brek, and Axl.
Brek sets up the chair, and I lower Axl into it. Once he’s buckled in, I tuck a blanket around him and pull Brek’s chair out for him. He gives me a demure look but takes the proffered seat. I incline my head to my grandparents before sitting as well.
Dad is at the opposite end of the table. It’s weird that he’s there.
“Now that we’re all present,” Granddad says, eyeing me. “There are half a dozen new faces.”
“Noaz’s husband, Briar, and their child, Emerson. Loren’s husband, Oakley. Myro’s girlfriend, Jessica. Imry’s boyfriend, Haze. Levis. And Voss’ boyfriend, Brek, and son, Axl,” Dad introduces.
Brek’s eyes widen slightly, and he glances at me. I don’t think he realized Dad knew about our relationship. Silly man.
Granddad frowns. “All my grandkids are gay except one?”
Loren narrows his eyes. Oh, great. Let’s set off the sociopath right out of the gate.
“No,” Myro says. “All of them are gay. Jessica is my beard.”
I lower my eyes so I don’t laugh. I’m not the only one.
“And you,” Granddad says, turning his attention to Noaz. The entire room stiffens. “Still dressing like a girl. Acting out for what reason?”
