I make a promise to myself that I’m going to focus on that tonight, the good feelings, and not the fact that a man with the last name ofthe Himbojust invited me to finger myself for his countless fans.
I straighten the wildflowers pinned to my pink linen suit jacket and knock on the screen door.
“That’s not in Albany either!” Terri says loudly from inside. “We went to Cedar Point when we were visiting your friend in Ohio.”
“Well, then, what in the hell is in Albany!” Ray answers, clearly exasperated. “Is that where Woodstock happened?”
Chase appears on the other side of the screen door, smiles widely, and pulls it open. Instantly, my heart melts. His expression is gentle, his eyes creased as he smiles. It reminds me that despite doubting myself in a million ways right now, I don’t doubt that he cares about me.
Fuck. Meg’s right. On top of everything else, I’m in love with this man.
“You made it.”
I lean up and kiss him. “And you are the most dressed up I have ever seen you.”
Chase pulls at the collar of his shirt. “Just a polo.”
I tap the label on the chest. “A Carhartt polo,” I correct him. “Excellent branding.”
“Is that him?” his mom yells. “Stop letting the damn mosquitoes in and bring your man in instead!”
Chase winces. “Sorry.”
I laugh, already lighter than I’ve felt all day. “You heard the woman.” I step inside. “Stop letting the damn mosquitoes in.”
We walk into the kitchen, and Chase’s arm lands across my shoulders, just like when we’re alone. I’m not sure why I thought it would be any other way, except that sometimes even gay guys are embarrassed to be with me, or anyone femme or dramatic or whatever.
But Chase isn’t like that. He’s made it clear he likes me, enough that he’s invited me to stay with him when my life falls apart. And when his family all stand to greet us, just as warm as he is, I feel a tiny taste of what it must be like to come home.
“I hope you like lasagna,” Gianna says. I notice that Chase has her strong nose and the same thick hair and that her eyes crease the way his do, although deeper. She walks toward the kitchen. “And wine!”
“Love them both,” I call out after her.
Ray points at me. “I can’t let you leave without telling you to come visit the gallery next week. We have a new piece in that you might just love.”
“It’s his piece,” Terri clarifies, then turns to Ray. “And you just told him.”
Ray frowns. “Well, don’t let me forget, anyway.”
Chase rubs my shoulder. I look up at him and see that he’s beaming. His family are dorky weirdos, and best of all, he obviously loves it.
“I’d love to see your new sculpture,” I say. Chase pulls a seat out at the table for me, and we all sit down. “Wood again?”
“I gave him some new tools,” Chase tells me, his arm still over my shoulder.
I nod toward Chase. “He taught me how to chop wood,” I tell his family, right as his mom walks out with the wine, looking pleased. “And I’m learning to fish.”
“Ugh,” Terri says, sticking her tongue out. “The worms. I can’t even.”
Gianna pours wine into a glass for me. “Chase guts the fish away from the house for us. We’re all wimps about it, but we love the fresh catch.”
I grin. “Oh good. I’m the same way.”
The conversation rolls on, easy and natural. Chase told me his family didn’t have any problem with gay people, and with Sully as his best friend, I didn’t doubt it. But I still wasn’t prepared for how comfortable I’d feel here and how happy it would make me to see Chase so happy.
Fuck. When the right person for him comes along, Chase is going to be the best fucking partner. It kills me that I can’t be that person.
For a couple of hours, we drink wine and scarf down the most delicious cheesy lasagna and breadsticks I’ve ever tasted. Chase’s family ask me about my life in Boston, and I get a bunch of embarrassing childhood stories. The whole time, I barely think about the mess that’s waiting for me later.
