Kids should come first.
Like flossing before brushing.
“Ain’t that right, Gillybean?” His eyes fall to find mine, to wordlessly offer the support it’s evident I’m currently not receiving elsewhere. “We’ll tell him whenyou’reready, aye?”
I sheepishly nod.
Struggle to flash him with a smile of gratitude.
Keeping him a secret forever definitely isn’t the gameplan; however, keeping him to myself, keepingsomethingforjust mefeels incredible.
And yeah, it’s a little selfish.
But maybe it’s okay to be a little selfish every now and again.
“What,” hiccupping rudely intervenes again upon returning my focus to the unexpected intruders, “are you guys,” my figure bounces again, “doing,” the next tightens Thayne’s hold, “here?”
“You need a cold one?” Bronny concerningly inquires. “I can go grab it from your office.”
There’s barely time for me to politely decline with a headshake before Dad announces, “Wetextedearlier because we were shopping in the district-”
“Your dad needs a new suit for Duppy’s retirement ball-”
“Y’all are throwin’ a retirement party for a pup?!” the teen energetically interrupts. “That’s wild!”
“Dup-py,” Dad casually corrects, “is short for Duphrene. He’s the current – although retiring – fire chief for Dalvegan.”
Thayne’s head tilts slightly to the side. “You a firefighter, sir?”
“No, I own a fire sprinkler company which installs fire sprinklers for many,manybusinesses throughout the country, so we work quite closely with the heads of fire departments.”
“That’s fascinatin’, sir,” my boyfriend comments prompting another realization to hit me.
Guesshedoesn’t really know much about my family besides M.
Just like they know nothing about him besides that he plays for M.
I guess…the idea of talking about them can’t be done without bringing up my big brother and if I bring him up then I have to bring up still not telling him and that just hasn’t been something I wanted to do.
“Why don’t we talk more about it over dinner?” Dad cordially suggests. “That’s actually why we stopped by.” The answer to my question has him sending his stare back to mine. “We texted because we were in the area, and when we didn’t hear back, we figured we’d just pop on by to see if you were busy. When Rhonnie sent us on back, we assumed that meant you were done for the day.”
Of course, she sent them back.
I’d bet a bottle of Jukes favorite cologne that she’s standing somewhere in the hallway justlisteningto this made for streaming drama.
“I wasalmostdone for the day,” escapes in a coyish nature.
“We would love to take you all out for a bite,” Dad insists in the same cheery manner as before. “Get to knowGroffbetter.”
“Thayne,” I definitively insist without hesitation. “Please, call him Thayne. That’s what all the important people in his life do.”
“Except Gilly,” Bronny adds commentary once more. “She calls him Jukes ‘cause he’s like Spotify on skates.”
Mom struggles not to snicker prior to delightedly investigating. “And what should we call you, young man?”
“Trouble,” my boyfriend playfully insists.
“Bronny,” leaves me as I let my beaming return. “Short for Bronson.”
