Andrew
I push through the café door; the cool blast of air-conditioning is an instant relief against the August heat that’s been baking the town all day. I’m in my favourite denim shorts that sit just above my knees, and the white tee Slade bought me when I started college, the one with the dumb software joke on the front that he still doesn’t get, which is honestly the funniest part. I push my sunglasses up into my hair and head straight for the counter.
“One large caramel frappe, please,” I say, and a minute later I’m paying, thanking the barista, and carrying the icy drink over to the table by the window where Maria and Carla are already waving me down like I’m late to a gossip session.
I drop into the chair with a small smile. “Hey.”
Carla grins, eyeing me up and down. “You’re looking good, Andrew. The gym treating you well?”
I laugh a little, cheeks warming. “Yeah, thanks. Not sure about this heat though.”
Maria perks up, winking as she fans herself with the menu. “I love it. I feel like I’m on holiday.”
I notice she’s wearing a long floral dress that looks way too pretty for this weather and can’t help but smile.
Carla leans forward, chin in her hand. “So, what’s up? We haven’t seen you since the barbecue last month.”
Maria cuts in before I can answer. “Actually, I wanted to ask… is Slade okay? He seems a bit off lately.”
I nod, stomach twisting with nerves. “Uh, actually that’s sort of why I wanted to speak to you both. I thought you might be more understanding than Todd and Larry.”
They both laugh and nod, giving me their full attention.
I gesture at Maria first. “I know you’ve got a family member who’s transgender.” Then at Carla. “And I know your daughter is married to an older woman.”
They both nod, still smiling but now clearly confused.
I swallow hard, heart hammering. “So… Slade is… uh… bisexual.”
Maria huffs a little laugh. “Okay?”
Carla tilts her head. “Is that why he’s been off? Because he likes men too and thinks the guys wouldn’t be okay with it?”
I take a quick sip of my frappe for courage. “Kind of…”
Maria waves a hand. “He’s got nothing to worry about. He knows Larry’s brother is gay.”
I nod. If it were just about Slade being bisexual, his friends wouldn’t bat an eye. The problem is me. Slade doesn’t even know I’m here right now, and if this goesbadly, he’s going to be pissed. But I can’t let him seriously consider moving towns just because he’s scared of how people will react to us.
“That’snotthe problem,” I say quietly.
Carla raises her brows. “Okay?”
I take a deep breath, my pulse racing so hard I can feel it in my throat. “I…” I swallow thickly, the words sticking in my throat. “I’malsobisexual.”
Maria lets out a bright little laugh, eyes crinkling with confusion. “I am so confused… Andrew, I wouldn’t care if you fell in love with a tree.”
I laugh despite the nerves, the sound shaky. “Come on…”
“Okay, but you know what I mean!” she says, still smiling, clearly trying to lighten the moment.
Carla leans forward, brow furrowed but gentle. “So… you’rebothinto men and women?”
I nod, the motion small and tight. I was really hoping they’d connect the dots on their own so I wouldn’t have to say it out loud, but they’re still looking at me with polite confusion, waiting for more. They don’t seem to be putting it together at all.
I take another deep breath, my heart racing so hard it feels like it’s trying to punch its way out of my chest. “Sladeisthe reason we’rebothbisexual.”
They both frown, cogs clearly turning. The quiet stretches so long I have to take another sip of my drink just to have something to do with my hands.
