I go on to tell him all about everything I’ve done so far in the little while that I’ve been there—fixing up some of the buildings, making some of the facilities safer for the kids and sprucing up the grounds. I also tell dad all about the mission of the camp, the work Brooks does, and about how worried I am for the future of the camp—the number of campers declining year-by-year, from what Brooks tells me.
He shifts his head to face me, quirking an eyebrow up—a sure sign he’s not buying what I’m selling. “And that’s tha only reason you’re stickin’ around? You’re worried about the outlook of the camp? Gannett said that maybe you, uh, got a little snippy with him a bit ago, when he talked about them owners bein’ gay.”
I nod. “I did. He sounded a little condescending.”
“Why’s it bother you, son?” He gives me an odd look, which leaves me feeling a little squirmy in my seat.
“Because,” I say hesitantly, gnawing so hard on my inner cheek that I can faintly taste copper, “he doesn't know who he might be offending.”
“Someone like my grandson?” Wagner asks, catching me by surprise.
He chuckles. “Don’t look so shocked, Evan. Gordy coulda pressed charges for Colton keying his car, ya know. Caught him on the cameras out back of tha pub doing all that vandalism… and also lockin’ lips with his buddy there. Gordy says he didn’t, cuz he respects ya too much, but he’s hopin’ you get Colt to mind himself without havin’ to involve O’Reilly.”
My jaw may as well be on the floor right now.Dadeven friggin’ knew about Colton before I did? What the actual fuck? How little I know my own son…
Also, when did I ever earnGordy Masterson’srespect?
“Yes, someone like your grandson,” I finally reply, looking up at the ceiling briefly to summon every ounce of courage I can, “and someone like me.”
Dad feigns a look of shock. “Youtoo?” he replies sarcastically.
“Wait, all this was just so you’d get me to admit—”
“Christ, Evan,” dad interrupts me, then chuckles. “I just listened to you blather on aboutBrooks thisandBrooks that. If you’re not already in a relationship with the man, you damn sure want to be. So, just say it…”
I nod, allowing myself to lock eyes with him—our blue eyes mirror images of each other’s. “I’m gay, Dad. And before you can blame this on me being at the camp, I need you to know that I’ve been attracted toguys since before even Miranda, so don’t—don’t do that thing where you assume being at Camp Healing Watersturnedme. Also, neither Colton nor I knew about each other. He doesn’t know I found out he has a boyfriend, and he doesn’t know about me.”
Dad snorts. “You and ya boy always have been exactly like one another.”
I scoff, pushing myself up from my chair and taking a few paces to the corner of the room, running my fingers through my hair. I take a few calming breaths, since it’s not like I can light up a smoke in here and blow the whole damn place up. I reveal this lifelong secret about myself, andthat’sall he can say? That my son and I are twinsies?
“What’s got your knickers in a knot?” Dad grunts from the bed.
“That’swhat you come back with? That itfiguresColt and I are both gay, because we’re just alike?”
Dad looks like I just slapped him. “Well, whadda ya want me to do? I ain’t thrilled about it, but I’m not going to disown ya for it either. This isn’t somethin’ I know anythin’ about, Evan. I ain’t never known anyone gay before.”
Of fucking course he doesn’t. No one around here feels comfortable being out and proud, for Christ’s sake! I’m sure they’d feel just as scared as I do, forbothColton and myself, to put targets on their back by admitting it! That family that put out the Pride flag was harassed about it until they either took it down or it was stolen off their porch.
“Were ya expecting a party or something?” Dad snarks, drawing my attention back.
“What’re we throwing a party for?” Gannett asks, sauntering in. “I’m not buying you cake just for having another heart attack, Wag-o-ner…”
“No, not forme, numbnuts. Tell him, Evan,” Dad says.
“Tell me what?” Gannett’s brows furrow.
“I’m gay,” I admit.
He smirks like the cat who got the canary. “Ifuckin’ knew it! You were acting all weird that day out on the boat, the day my finger nearly got nipped off.” He holds it up and shows me the poorly reset digit—likely a performed-at-home job. “Okay, so are we really having a party? Kinda weird, but alright. There, like, a Pride flavored cake I’m supposed to get?”
I scrub both my hands down my face. “No, we’re not having a party. Dad’s not ecstatic, but apparently, he’s just figured me out and knew about Colton for a little bit—”
“Wait,” Gannett cuts me off, his jaw now slack, “Colt too?!”
“Oh, my fucking baby lord,” I groan. “I am so friggin’ confused right now. This is why I never get involved in town gossip, too much involved in trying to figure out who knows what…”
“Tell me about it,” Gannett snorts. “So—ok, wait… are either you or Colt seeing anyone?”
