“Your father is probably going to burn those,” I hum.
He scrolls through the pictures, surveying them with a smile. He snorts. “Nah, knowing him he’ll continue to act miffed about this run in for a couple of days before he forgets why he’s being such a douche. Then I’ll see them hanging on the fridge or something. He idolized you just as much as I did, if not more. He’s just being a big baby ‘cuz he got called out for being a homophobe in public. I don’t really think he is; he just hates getting his ego knocked when he’s wrong. That, and he’s always just tossed around the f-bomb carelessly, kinda like the r-word and the n-word. I’ll keep reminding him to watch his mouth.”
Gannett snorts, nudging me. “This generation’s kids, I tell you what. They’re growing up better than we did, that’s for sure.”
“Yeah, well.” Easton shrugs. “Change, acceptance, and tolerance has to start somewhere, right?”
“Keep preachin’ it, kid,” Gannett hums. “The world needs more of you to set everyone straight—er, well, you know what I mean…”
We all chuckle, and eventually Easton scurries off to go meet up with his ride. Gannett sighs, wrapping an arm around my waist and tugging me in close to his side. Peering down at him, I apologize. “Sorry for ruining our date.”
He shakes his head. “You have nothing to be sorry about. Unless—” He gasps dramatically. “Did you summon Weston’s presence here today in order to sabotage this?”
“No, but having to sit with me to calm me down through another would-be panic attack isn’t how you planned on this outing going, I’m sure.”
He shrugs. “Shit happens, man. That’s just life. You want daisies and unicorn toots all the time? Sorry to bust your bubble, bud, but that just ain’t gonna happen. Besides, all I did was rub your back and remind you to breathe. Not like that was solid advice at all, since I’m pretty sure that’s an automatic thing…”
“It’s really not when you’re in the middle of feeling like the world is about to implode on you.”
Gannett’s lips roll between his teeth, and his head wobbles. “I guess. Think what you want, though. You managed to get out of that all on your own.”
I tilt his chin up, feathering my lips on his. “I thought of how you’re my lighthouse,” I admit, sealing that statement with a kiss—one that will surely leave no doubt to anyone here just how much Gannett means to me.
I hand the pen to Taryn and watch as he scrawls his signature across the dotted line. He looks up at me, proud as a damn peacock, as he closes the manilla folder and hands it over to the gentleman on the other side of the table. It’s a bright early-June Sunday morning, and my son just became the new owner of Portside Pub.
“Well, son, how’s it feel?” I clap him on the shoulder.
He snorts. “Feels like I’ve got an empty bank account. Good thing you’re officially moving out of the apartment upstairs and in with Gannett. Upgrading to a two bedroom from the studio certainly helps soften the financial blow.”
“I knowjustwhat I’m going to fill the second bedroom with too!” Morgan chirps, presenting Taryn with what must be a cupcake from the bakery up the street. “Congratulations, my love,” she adds, kissing his cheek.
My eyebrows lift, my eyes darting between the two of them. “Hopefully not cribs. I’m sorry, but I’m not ready for that yet.”
Morgan scoffs. “Gosh, no. Are you kidding? Between all the Healing Waters campers, siblings, cousins, and now a new little niece or nephew, we don’t need to add to the mix just yet. No, I want a freakin’library. You ever watchBeauty and the Beast, Gordy? Belle’s library isgoals.”
Taryn chuckles. “I’ll install one of those sliding ladders for you. You’ll need one with all the books you’ve got stuffed into every nook and cranny of your dorm. Poor Aspyn’s probably sick of finding all yourShadow Daddyfangirl paraphernalia everywhere.”
“You’re not seriously jealous of Xaden, are you?” She giggles, patting him on the chest, all the while I have absolutely zero fuckin’ clue what they’re yammering about.
“I’m gonna go”—I point at the kitchen—“start getting all the buffet equipment set up. Let you two do your thing, or whatever.”
Taryn stands and, to my surprise, since he’s not an overly affectionate kid—wonder where he gotthatfrom—hauls me in for a hug. “Thank you, Dad. I know you never really wanted to be saddled with this place, but—I’m still happy you held onto it for me anyway. I promise, I will give it a new image just for you. Someday maybe you can see it in a whole new light.”
A lump swells in my throat. “If anyone can, it’s you. You’re already off to a good start. I’m proud of you, Taryn.Trulyproud of the man you’ve become.”
“Oh my god, stoooop,” Morgan says, wiping tears from her cheeks before launching into the hug too. “Sorry, I know this was your special moment, but seriously… freakin’ A. Nothing beats a good family bonding moment, and I just love you both!”
Taryn and I both chuckle, staying locked in the three-way embrace for a moment longer. I don’t know what led him and Morgan to one another, but I’m glad he has her. Fuck, if I’m not damn proud all around.
A couple hours later, everything is just about set up, and folks are trickling in. Walter and Wagner are having a spirited conversation with Gannett’s girls over in their usual corner, which has now been made into a whole family table. Vickie has her hands full with Tallulah, since Brooks and Evan had some “date night” planned or something on Gannett’s houseboat.
I know that because all I’ve listened to him bitch about this morning was how they better Lysol the shit out of it whenthey’re done using it. It makes me snicker whenever I realize thattheyget more use out of his pleasure craft thanhedoes. That’s probably why he’s considering selling it to them, so they have a place to stay whenever they visit Ternbay.
He’s tried to talk me out onto it a few times before he does, but, ironically enough—considering where I live—I get violently seasick. I’ve got no problem out on lakes or other smaller bodies of water, but the ocean? Nope. My guts don’t fuckin’ like the prospect of that at all.
Speaking of Gannett, however, I haven’t seen him since we left separately to get here, since he had to go get the girls from Sarah, and I had to be here to sign papers. I know he’s been nervous about how to approach his brother aboutus, because I’ve been feeling the same anxiety over it. But, I get it. Lord, don’t I fuckin’ get it, and Evan’s not even my brother. After all, what’sagoodway to break it to him that, "Hey, I know you don’t think I’m into dudes and all, but I’ve been getting all my orifices stuffed full of your nemesis’ cock, and loving it, for the past couple months or so?"
Those were Gannett’s exact words, not mine, by the way.
