“I’m gay.”
I said it. I just threw it out into the world. Our world. Our family. It’s there, and there is no going back. It’s done.
My eyes flood with tears, and I stand up, ready to bolt. I hear Dad stand up too, his stool scraping the tiles beneath it.
Mom’s voice is gentle but firm. “No crying. Crying is for sad things, and this is not sad.”
The tears keep tumbling. “I’m not sad. I’m just…”
Dad grabs my shoulder and suddenly he’s hugging me, hard. I feel Mom join in, her tiny arms wrapping around us as she snuggles into our sides, she says, “Grady, my sweet boy. Is it accepting yourself that caused you anxiety, or the idea of telling us?”
“Telling anyone,” I confess, “but not who I am. I’m not confused or uncomfortable with being gay. I like who I am.”
“We love who you are,” Dad says as our hug slowly breaks apart.
“Grandma Nance… Grandpa Phil…” I sniff and fight for control over my emotions.
“Oh fuck them,” Mom blurts out, and I snap my head down to look at her. She smiles up at me, an expression of sheer confidence on her face. “They don’t get to have an opinion on something that God made you. But I do get to have a choice in whether or not I allow them to stay a part of my family.”
“I love you,” I blurt out. “Both of you.”
“We love you too,” Dad says with a grin. “Now grab a tissue and another cracker.”
Mom gently guides me back to a barstool. “And tell me if there’s a reason that you picked now to tell us… like someone special in your life?”
“You sound like Aunt Rose. Not everything is about…” I sigh. I’ve lied enough. “I have met someone. Landon Casco.”
Her grin is bright. “Oh! He’s a cutie!”
“Oh God, mom, don’t.”
She laughs and hands me a cracker.
I’m driving back a couple of hours later, and I feel like a new person. But I’m not. I’m just finally me. When I get home, Landon is sitting on the stairs. “It’s freezing! What are you doing?”
He stands up. “I know you said it went well and you’re okay, but I had to see for myself.”
I cup the back of his neck and press my lips to his. “I’m good. Oddly exhausted but honestly, so good.”
He smiles. “My parents went out with my aunt and uncle. Angie is watching Netflix. Can I hang out?”
“Can we do it naked?” I grin.
“I think that’s best,” Landon replies. “I probably have hypothermia anyway. I’ve been sitting out here a good half hour.”
“Well then, let’s get some skin-on-skin action to warm you up,” I suggest as we climb the stairs.
“I brought a butt plug.”
I start to take the stairs two at a time.
Chapter 40
Grady
The room is all shadows and swirling blue light from the lava lamp as Landon curls his head into my neck and moans like a whore. My whore. “Too much?” I whisper.
“Not enough,” he chokes out and arches his back. He sucks on the sensitive skin on my neck. “Take it out and put your cock in.”
