He had, but it wasn’t that. “I’m fine, Jackson. It’s just…”
“Beth, grab Ell’s bag from the car,” Jackson shouted as he entered the house.
“Get it yourself, wanker!” came the reply.
The door opened directly into their front room, giving Elliot very little time to orient himself before he was face-to-face with three women and a toddler, all staring at him. Elliot blinked at them, feeling incredibly out of place. Jackson’s arm was still around him, and he was suddenly immensely grateful for the tape job on his ankle that he’d kept up just in case. If nothing else, it gave him an excuse to lean on Jackson for support.
“Everyone, this is Elliot. He’s come up to make sure I don’t slack off on my training while I’m here.”
“Oh, that’s very kind, dear,” Jackson’s mother said. “I’m Ellen. Would you like to take a seat, love? Can I get you a cuppa?”
“How’s he planning to keep you motivated, then?” came the suggestive reply from Beth. Elliot recognised her from Jackson’s pictures, and she clearly at least knew of him—likely nothing flattering. Elliot tried not to blush.
“Bethy, shut it,” Jackson replied. Elliot knew that tone, but he’d never heard it directed at anyone other than him. Jackson was pissed off.
Beth cackled. “Why? Will I offend his sensibilities? Or is it that he doesn’t know you watch videos of him on repeat all alone in your room?”
“Don’t be crude, dear,” his mother said.
Jackson caught his eye, embarrassment clear on his face.Sorry, he mouthed.
Elliot was enjoying this, though, the back-and-forth. This was what family banter was meant to feel like, he imagined.
“I’m Anna,” the woman sitting on the floor with the toddler shouted over the sound of Jackson and his youngest sister arguing playfully. “You might meet our eldest sister, Katie, as well. She’s hoping to fly in tomorrow. And this is Noah.”
“Are you Uncle Jacksy’s boyfriend?”
Elliot smiled. The kid was adorable. The whole family felt like warmth and safety, and so different to anything he was used to that before Jackson could step in with a response or an excuse, he replied. “Yeah. Yeah, I am.”
“I thought you didn’t want to say anything?” Jackson mumbled into his hair.
Elliot shrugged. “Felt right.”
“Beth, go get Elliot’s bags from the car,” Mrs Jennings repeated Jackson’s earlier instruction.
“Jackson should do it. He’s his boyfriend!”
“Beth.” And holy shit, Ellen Jennings was not one to cross. “Now, how about that cuppa?” She turned and smiled at Elliot as she said it.
They followed her into the kitchen. Jackson still seemed a bit stunned, and it made Elliot smile to think that he’d surprised him. He felt unexpectedly alright with them knowing.
“You know you didn’t have to do that, right?” Jackson whispered to him as they walked. Elliot turned and kissed him softly on the lips. “Makes doing this easier if they know, though, doesn’t it?”
A grin lit up Jackson’s face. It disappeared quickly, though, the weight of why they were both there clearly never far from his mind.
“Now, Elliot, dear, I hope you’re hungry. I’m putting a curry on, a new recipe from our neighbours.”
Elliot flushed. “That sounds lovely, I’ve never tried curry before.”
Both Jackson and his mother were gaping at him. “You’ve never tried curry?” Jackson asked. “You live in London.”
Elliot shrugged. “I’m always on a nutrition plan.”
“This is an absolute travesty. Mum, we have to correct this. This has to be the greatest curry ever made.” Jackson went into a tall standing cupboard and pulled out two aprons, tying one around himself as he passed the other to his mother.
“You’re going to cook for me?” Elliot asked.
“I’m Mum’s best sous chef.”
