“Because I thought I was giving you pointers you would need,” Colin replied defensively. “You were still a virgin.”
“Well now I’m not. In any aspect of the word,” I couldn’t help but add.
“Congrats,” he replied so awkwardly I had to cover the phone so he didn’t hear me chuckle. “And if I ever want to know how to suck a dick, I’ll gladly take your advice.”
“I’ll gladly give it.”
“Can we talk about the real problem here?” Colin had replied. “They’re not going to give you that inheritance.”
“I thought that might happen.”
“You had less than six months to keep your mouth shut, Chase,” Colin had sounded so fucking baffled and yet also impressed. “You were so close.”
“I know. And I have no regrets.”
It was the best conversation I ever had with my brother and I laid awake that night, with Bowen breathing softly beside me, wondering if it would have happened if I’d stayed in the closet and waited to get that money. I think in some odd way, I’d earned a respect he’d never had for me before.
“Chase!” I turn and see Bowen waving me over.
I walk over, nodding politely at the paper’s photographer. Autumn leans in. “We want you in one of the pictures.”
“Oh. Really?”
“Of course,” Woody smiles. “We owe you a lot.”
“But I get it if—” Bowen starts but I cut him off by wrapping a proud arm around his shoulder and smoothing the front of my dress shirt. He relaxes into me, looping his arm around my waist and the photographer snaps away. When he’s done, the reporter interviews Woody and a news crew asks him to come outside.
I grab Bowen and pull him toward the bar, smirking. “Let’s get you that champagne you’ve been holding out for.”
* * *
At one in the morning, the last supporter wanders out the door. Most of the staff have gone home too and it’s just Tanner and the clean-up crew I hired, which Joss was more than okay with. Woody and Autumn left in the family station wagon, which has its days numbered because Woody promises they’re getting a hybrid now.
I walk Bowen back to my loft, his hand laced through mine. But when we get there, I’m shocked to see my Aunt Hilda standing outside. I drop his hand and pick up my pace. “What’s wrong? Who died?”
Icy fear swirls in my gut, but she looks at me wide eyed and shakes her head. “Oh heavens, Chase, no one.”
“It’s the middle of the night,” I reply and stare down at her with confusion. “Did your car break down? Are you okay?”
“Perfectly fine, thank you,” she snaps and smooths her hair as a breeze picks up the ends of her silvery bob. “My word, Chase I’m old but I can be up past midnight. I’m not exactly a Gremlin.”
“A what?” Bowen asks and Aunt Hilda frowns. “Sorry, ma’am. Chase, maybe I should head home.”
“Whatever for? You’re dating my nephew, right?” Aunt Hilda asks, and then keeps talking before he can answer. “Couples spend the night with each other all the time. How do you think my daughter had a baby seven months after her wedding?”
“I… Umm…” Bowen looks at me, completely at a loss as to what to say. To be honest I am too. That’s the first time anyone has ever confirmed that my cousin got pregnant before her wedding.
I turn back to my aunt. She waves a hand as if clearing the air. “Anyway, I wanted to tell you that I didn’t let Amy lose her money and I’m not going to let you lose it either.”
“Aunt Hilda I appreciate your…support,” I say carefully because I think it’s support. Right? It’s hard to tell with her frown and her clipped speech. “And I don’t know how you got a doctor to fake a pregnancy timeline, but the fact is, there’s nothing to hide here. I mean there was, but it’s too late now. My father will never allow me to have the money. Grandfather was very clear that this would be considered immoral to him. He voted against gay marriage, remember?”
She rolls her eyes. “Yes. I remember. I hated that.”
“You did?” How is this the first I’m hearing of it, I wonder.
“Are you aware that both your father and I are the trustees and we must agree on the inheritances being bestowed upon the grandchildren?” she asks, adjusting the strap of her designer bag on her shoulder. I nod and she sighs. “Are you also aware that, because of potential parental bias, if we don’t agree the decision defaults to the trustee who is not the parent?”
“What?” I’m a smart boy with a degree but my brain can’t compute at the moment.
