“We support you, Morgan,” Dad said and smiled.
“We support all of you kids,” Mom added.
“Mmm… awkward,” Patrick murmured.
“Yes. This is exactly the conversation wedon’tneed to have in front of them tonight.” I looked at my watch. I grabbed my phone off the counter when I saw a message come in from the front desk. “They’re here and will be up any minute,” I announced.
“Finally, we get to meet our grandson,” Mom said to Dad.
I felt the urgent need to do one last reminder to everyone.
“Remember, don’t act weird around them or ask any insensitive questions or make comments about them being a male-male couple.”
“Why would we do that?” Morgan asked.
“We’d never do anything like that,” Dad said.
“Yeah, why would you feel like you had to warn us from that?” Hollis asked.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just really nervous. I’m sorry.”
Out of everyone, Hollis looked the most offended. And I thought it was because I’d insinuated that they might say something to embarrass me, which was stupid because they’d never done anything like that.
“I’m sorry,” I said again. Morgan came over and jostled my shoulder.
“Relax, bub. Things will be fine,” Morgan said as the doorbell rang.
“Remember, James is a lot older than Brandon.” I whispered my last reminder before going to the door.
17
BRANDON
I pushedthe doorbell and then wiped my hands on the front of my jeans in a last-ditch effort to make them feel less clammy. I glanced at James and suddenly felt underdressed again.
“I should have worn nicer pants,” I murmured.
“What you have on is fine. You’re comfortable, and it’s very much your style. Relax, pup. There’s nothing wrong with you being you,” James said.
He handed me the glossy gift bag that had a small gift for all of them. When James and I were at the store, I picked out a sea-green bag to carry it all. I went with that color because of everything I’d seen with Hollis relating to his fighting years and team. Sea-green obviously was a color closely associated with the family, and I wanted to show that I welcomed them. I just hoped they’d welcome me.
I took a deep breath just as Chase opened the door.
“Hi! Come on in, guys.”
James lightly touched my upper back, nudging me to step inside first. I stepped into the foyer and to the side so James could come inside. In the background I could hear people talking and recognized one of the voices as Morgan.
“Was the traffic bad?” Chase asked as he took our jackets and hung them up in the closet.
“Not too bad,” James said.
“It doesn’t seem to matter the time of day, but traffic always gets a little worse the closer you get to downtown,” Chase said as he led us closer to the rest of my family.
The foyer spilled into a large open floor plan. A huge island separated the kitchen from the great room. I glanced around at the massive living space, but my eyes kept focusing on all the people. Everyone was facing us and looking at me.
“Brandon and James, let me introduce you to everyone.” Chase gestured to his mom first. “This is my mom, Kristin, and my dad, Charles. They’re your grandparents. Mom and Dad, this is Brandon and James.”
“Hello, Brandon,” Kristin said as she stretched her hand toward me.Good, no hugging.“We’ve been so excited to meet you,” she said as we shook hands.
