"That was rough," Tristan said quietly.
"He was so angry."
"He was terrified. All those weeks, he was terrified. That comes out as anger." Tristan hit the elevator button. "But did you hear what he said at the end? 'Don't ever disappear like that again.' That's not rejection. That's a father scared out of his mind who doesn't know how to say it."
"He could barely look at me after I told him."
"He'll need time. The gay thing is a lot for him to process on top of everything else." Tristan shrugged. "But he didn't walk out. He didn't disown you. He said you're his son. That matters."
"Does it?"
"It does." The elevator arrived. We stepped inside. "Give him time. He'll come around. He's stubborn, but he loves you. That's going to win eventually."
I wasn't so sure. The look on my father's face when I said the word gay—confusion, discomfort, the way he'd turned away—
"Hey." Tristan squeezed my shoulder. "You did the hard part. You told them the truth. Whatever happens next, that took guts."
"I feel like I'm going to throw up."
"That's normal." He grinned. "So, when do I get to meet this Vance character? I've done my background check, but I want to see if he's actually good enough for my little brother."
"He is." I managed a weak smile. "Trust me. He is."
"We'll see about that." The elevator descended. "I'm a tough judge."
"I know. That's why I love you."
He looked at me, and something softened in his expression.
"I love you too, Toby. Even when you're an idiot who runs away from his wedding without telling anyone."
"Fair."
The doors opened in the lobby. We walked out together.
One conversation down. One more to go.
But for now, I just wanted to go home.
Chapter 18
Vance
Every minute felt like an hour.
I'd cleaned the kitchen twice, reorganized the bookshelf, and taken apart the coffee maker before putting it back together. Nothing helped. Nothing made the clock move faster or the knot in my stomach loosen.
What if he didn't come back?
The thought kept circling, no matter how many times I pushed it away. What if his parents said the right things, offered the right incentives, reminded him of everything he'd be giving up by staying with me?
I was standing at the window, staring at the parking lot without seeing it, when I heard the key in the lock.
Relief flooded through me so fast I had to grab the windowsill.
Then Tobias was through the door, and I crossed the room to him as he crashed into me, arms around my neck, his face buried against my shoulder.
He was shaking. Not just trembling—really shaking, like he was coming apart at the seams.
