“Sure. Friends rallied.”And left about ten minutes after the funeral—but you don’t need to know that.
Andre frowned.
Oh shit, I told him the truth. Damn it.
But he apparently was going to keep my secret.
Demetrius turned to his younger brother. “What are you thinking?”
Andre’s gaze shot between me and his newly discovered family member. Finally, he took a deep breath and let it outslowly. “I suppose the answer’s yes. Yes, I want to meet your family. Yes, it’s okay for you to tell them who I am. Because, as Zahir says, we bear a striking resemblance, and I wouldn’t want the kids to find out later and think you deceived them intentionally.”
“Kids are smart that way.” I offered a smile. Marty and I had never contemplated children—but I’d met a few over the years.
“Mine are.” Demetrius offered a sheepish smile. “Obviously I want to deflect and say they get that from their bio parents. Because, frankly, I’m humble.”
“You are that.” I smiled. Jai and Demetrius—and many of my new friends Quinton had introduced me to—were self-effacing and modest. They led unassuming lives and strove to be the best persons they could be—usually because they had kids or furbabies who needed them down-to-earth.
“Nurture is just as important as nature.” Andre sat a little taller. “Otherwise, I’d be destined to be the same fuck-up as our father. I don’t want that. I want to believe I can chart my own course that’s more influenced by my mother. And not just biology—but also the way she chose to raise me.”
I nodded. “That’s a great attitude. Just like I choose to stay away from the bigotry and homophobia of my parents. Not just being gay, though. They were also disdainful of people of other races and religions. They believe themselves superior. I hated that. It didn’t suit my sensibilities to believe myself above others. Being authentic to who I am is far more important than categorizing people.”
“Yeah. I see that.” Andre scratched his chin.
Exactly the same way Demetrius did. And I could chalk it up to scratchy stubble—but, truthfully, even the way they curled their fingers was the same. “When do you think everyone can meet? And I’m happy to host here.”
Demetrius shook his head. “I’d really like to show you my home. Jai has tomorrow night off. If Keegan wants to come home at the same time, that would be okay. If that works for you, of course.”
“It does.” Andre shifted his gaze to me. “You’ll be there, of course.”
“If you want me to be.” I tried to direct the response to both men, but my focus was, naturally, Andre. He appeared to need me, and so I’d be there for him in any capacity he saw fit.
“Feel free to bring Daphne.” Demetrius beamed.
Daphne, who’d been crestfallen when she’d followed me to the kitchen earlier and hadn’t received a treat, poked her head up from her bed. One of her many beds. Her ears twitched, she eyed the empty food plates, and then she laid her head back down.
“Daphne accepts the invitation.” I chuckled. “What can we bring?”
“I was thinking a barbecue. Is there anything you don’t eat?” Demetrius gazed between Andre and me.
“Not on my account. I eat just about everything.” I grinned. “And Jai’s barbecue chicken is delicious.”
“He’ll be happy to hear that. And you?” Demetrius cocked his head toward Andre.
“Like Zahir, I’ll eat just about everything. Well, except pineapple on pizza. That’s gross.”
I chuckled. A perfectly random thing to say. Weird, he chose that. “I’ll add that anchovies are pretty gross as well.”
Demetrius arched an eyebrow. “Well, more Hawaiian pizza for me, then.”
Andre’s eyes widened. “Seriously?”
“Yep.” A twinkle sparkled in Demetrius’s eyes.
“On that note—” I rose. “Maybe text us once you’ve confirmed a time?”
The brothers rose.
Demetrius nodded. “Yes, for sure. I—” He swallowed. “I’m so happy you decided to come west for a visit.”
