He nods. “It’s real nice. Has an old cemetery nearby, and this sculpture of a very handsome angel.”
Behind him, Damen meets my gaze to signify he’s leaving with the tailor who, while inappropriate, maybe didn’t deserve as much as he got. What a fuckup.
I swallow, eyes on Dalton’s feet in the fancy wedding shoes.
Two weeks.
That’s insanity. It would have been too little even if he and I dated for a year, and yet— that’s what Dalton wants, and if he and I are to come to an understanding, I need to make concessions too.
“All right. Book it.”
Mom squeals and dances in place, grabbing Dalton’s hands. He cracks a smile for her. I shouldn’t feel bitter about that after the spat we just had in public, but it still stings. After all, didn’t he get what he wanted? And after that tantrum in the morning? He wanted a wedding, and he’s getting it sooner than we expected.
“This is so exciting!” she says, only then clocking the mayhem we’ve caused. “What happened here? I leave you boys for twenty minutes and you can’t behave?” Like she’s the mature one here.
Remo shakes his head. “A misunderstanding, don’t worry about it.”
I nod. “You have far more important things to consider right now. Does the venue provide the catering? What else needs to be done?” I ask to distract her. I hate that I wish for a hug from Dalton. It’s like a weakness that’s crawled under my skin fuck knows when, and I can’t stand it.
She gasps. “Yes! The bachelor party! Since the wedding is so soon, it needs to be this weekend. Should we do two? I don’t know what the gay etiquette is for this. Do you have friends you’d like to invite, Dalton?”
There’s nothing I want less right now than a bachelor party.
Dalton shakes his head. “Not really. Maybe this one co-worker? I don’t know, I’ll ask.”
What? I know he doesn’t have any family he’s in touch with, but there should be friends…
“I can do it! I’m a fantastic organizer!”
Aspen’s voice is like the buzz of a mosquito deep in the night, and I spin around, barking, “Why is he here, Mother? It’s not exactly like he can give me style tips.”
She looks at me, blue eyes vacant. “Aspen? I invited your closest cousins, so it’s more fun.”
She really doesn’t understand what I consider fun. I take a deep breath.
“Wouldn’t it make more sense to invite Dallas?” I don’t have that much in common with Aspen’s older, more sensible brother, but at leasthedid not out me to everyone.
Mom pouts. “I invited him too!”
Aspen shrugs. “Sorry, he couldn’t make it. Said it was a bit too gay for him. I’m an ally though. And I’m actually very fashionable, thank you very much.”
I don’t even try to hold in laughter. “What about you, Remo? Is this occasion straight enough?”
He takes a deep breath and puts his hands on his hips looking as though he’s counting to ten in his head. I don’t blame him. Our family is fucked up and annoying. I bet it’s exactly why he avoids the family gatherings.
“I’m gay, actually, so no, it’s not too gay for me. That’s why your mother invited me.”
I stare at him, not computing what I’m hearing as my mother gasps and runs up to hug him. “I’m so proud of you, Remo!” she says as if holding back tears.
What. The. Fuck? Have I stepped into the Twilight zone?
And where was my ‘I’m so proud of you, Corvus’ whenIgot yanked out of the closet? I guess she was too busy crying after witnessing me suck Dalton’s dick.
Good God, now I won’t be able to stop thinking about the fact that half my family saw that happen! “The hell? Are you saying you knew? What happened tosharing everything, huh?” I ask her, because at least her presence distracts me from the urgent need to touch Dalton.
She makes a face at me that has ‘guilty’ written all over it. “That was Remo’s to share, I couldn’t exactly—”
Damen walks back in to the accompaniment of the bell. “All sorted. What did I miss?”
