“Wow,” is all he gives back.
“I should’ve told you before anythin’ happened. I know that. Should’ve been honest and upfront. You have every right to be mad, or hurt, or feel any way that you do. I need you to know that I didn’t plan for this to happen.”
“You’ve had a thing for him for years,” he says.
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean I had any plans to actually act on it. And to be honest, I never thought I had a chance with him.”
He’s quiet for a moment.
“How long has this been goin’ on?”
My chest clenches, and I wince. “A few months.”
It’s crazy to think it’s only been that long. It feels like we’ve been doing this for so much longer, with how connected I feel to Gentry.
Heaving a sigh, Hollis scrubs a hand down his face. “This is just…mind blowin’,” he says. “But like I told my dad, if he makes you happy and treats you right, that’s all I care about. Everything else I can get over with time.”
Relief floods my system as I let go of the breath I’d been holding. “Really?”
“Yes, really. You’re my best friend, man. We’ve been through so much together.”
The backs of my eyes sting, and my throat aches. “Damn. You have no idea how good it feels to hear you say that.”
“I better not hear a single thing about your sex life, though,” he adds, making me chuckle.
“You won’t.” Then, remembering what he said before, I say, “So, he came out to y’all, huh? That’s huge.”
“I know. Definitely took me by surprise. I mean, Finn and I already figured as much, but havin’ him tell us was nice. Makes me happy he’s choosin’ to finally live his truth.”
I’m so proud of him.
Still kind of want to wring his neck, but I’m also so fucking proud.
It’s quiet for a moment, neither of us saying anything. It’s awkward, but at the same time, I’m relieved everything’s out in the open now.
“I’m sorry again,’ I murmur. “For keepin’ this from you, and for not bein’ the one to tell you.”
“It’s all good, man.” He waves me off. “Trust me, I get it. It’s not like I was very forthcoming with you when it came to Ford.”
I chuckle. “You’re not wrong.”
“Well, I’ll be hurtin’ in the mornin’ if I don’t get some sleep soon. I’m gonna head out.”
“Okay. But…we’re good?”
He nods. “Yeah, man. We’re good. Just maybe no more secrets.”
“Deal.”
We hug it out, and for the first time since Hollis walked in, I let myself breathe deeply.We’re good.
As soon as Hollis leaves, I pull out my phone, a goofy-ass grin on my face as I send a text to Gentry.
Me: So… You told your kids about us, huh?
I thought for sure he’d be asleep by now, but the message shows it’s read immediately.
Daddy Moore: I didn’t go into the conversation expecting to. It just kind of…came out.
