He winces at the name but doesn’t say anything. I wish he would tell them to quit using it. “I’m sure he’s heard so much worse.”
“And done much, much worse. I was a bit of a scoundrel in my time.”
“Did grandma know you were a skirt chaser?” Archangel asks playfully.
“Not just skirts. I chased boys and girls and everything in between, and your grandmother loved it.” Walt winks at me.
Archangel gasps, hand covering his mouth, eyes as big as dinner plates. “Are you bisexual?”
“I am,” Walt says like it’s not a big deal.
“Me too.” I hold out a fist for him to bump.
Walt bumps it.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Archangel looks almost hurt, and we drop our hands.
“Your mother didn’t want me to. Actually, it was more than that. She told me she’d not let you come over here if I put those ideas in your head, but it’s time, you know. You’re a grown man and clearly picked pretty good for yourself.” Walt winks at me again.
I grin, doing a little shimmy as I finish off my drink.
Archangel sits down on a stool, clearly trying to process it. “I can’t believe mom acts the way she does when her own father is bisexual.”
“Her and your father have always been…” Walt trails off.
“Zealots. I know.”
He sighs.“We should probably get going before your mom sends those firemen back to do a welfare check.” Walt blows out his cheeks. “Do you need another drink?” He’s pushing another into my hands before I can say no.
“Do you want to ride back with him?” I say as we walk toward the Range Rover.
Archangel thinks for a second, then shakes his head. “We need to talk.”
“Way to ruin my entire DP mood. I’m going to go ride with your grandfather.” I walk toward his car, and he grabs my shirt, yanking me back.
“Get in the fucking car.”
TWENTY-EIGHT
WOLFE
Ibrace for whatever I did to piss him off as we settle into the car. He gets all the way down the driveway and turns out onto the road before glancing over.
“Why are you telling him you’re bisexual, like it’s some sort of club you both are in?” Hurt is written in the lines of his face.
I frown, not sure how to explain myself. Looking down at my hands. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to take that bonding experience from you two.”
“It wasn’t…” Archangel exhales and shakes his head.
“What?” I ask, trying to follow his lead.
“You’re not bisexual.” There are tears in the corners of his eyes.
“How do you figure?”
“You’ve fucking told me.”
I stare at him. He doesn’t look over.
