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I tell my parents what I’m doing then wait downstairs for Jazmin to arrive. I’m pacing the floor thanks to my pent-up energy and worry over what she needs to talk about.
“What’s up?” I ask as soon as I’m in her car, not able to take it any longer.
“I…” Jazmin puts her car in reverse and backs out of my driveway, the silence becoming more deafening with each second that passes. “I need to talk to you about something. Tell you something.”
“Okay…” I let my voice trail off, hoping that helps lead her into whatever she needs to say. “Jaz, you can tell me anything.”
She nods quickly. “I know. I know. It’s just hard to say out loud sometimes.”
I know exactly how that feels, so I don’t push anything even though I’m dying to know. “No problem. I’m right here. Whenever you’re ready, go ahead and say it.”
Jazmin nods more slowly this time then stares straight ahead at the road. I’m not sure whether a few seconds or a few minutes go by before she finally speaks, but either way I feel like I’m about to burst by the time her words finally come out. “I like girls.”
Chapter 15
*Love Interest*
“I like girls.” Oh my God. I feel like I’m going to throw up. I can’t believe I just said that out loud. I can’t believe I told her.
Delilah Howard is super nice, but I barely know her. I’m not sure what it is about our parents dating that made me word-vomit that, but here we are.
It all started a few hours earlier when the four of us went to dinner together. The whole night was actually perfect. It’s obvious how happy Mr. Howard makes my mom, and he’s a really nice guy that is easy to get along with. I can picture him filling in that father role that I’ve gone so long without very well. Shit. I guess this is why my mom didn’t want me to meet him right away. So much for not getting attached. Anyway…
After dinner, Mr. Howard suggested we all go back to their house and watch a movie. It’s not that I don’t think he meant well, but the four of us sitting around the TV together like a family as they cuddle on the couch, seemed like a bit much for our first meeting. Luckily, Delilah must have felt the same way, because she said she didn’t want to watch a movie and suggested the two of us hang out in her room instead.
Which brings us to the current moment. Delilah asked me if I had a boyfriend and as if I’m someone who’s completely out to the world, I blurted out that I was gay.
Now, Delilah is staring at me with wide eyes. I really hope I didn’t completely ruin the evening. When a smile parts her lips, I finally breathe again. “You know, I always kind of wondered.”
“Really?”
Delilah shrugs. “There’s a vibe.”
I laugh cheerfully, feeling good that my third time coming out is going well. “Not sure if other people are getting that vibe too, but just in case I am actually tricking them, could you keep this between us? Only two people know.”
“Of course.” Delilah crosses her heart as if we’re back in elementary school. I love it. She’s my type of person. “I would never.”
I’m happy when Delilah leaves it at that and doesn’t try to ask who I like. “What about you? Do you have a boyfriend? Or girlfriend?”
Delilah laughs and shakes her head. “I like guys, but even at the mention of a guy I start to turn red.” She points to her face, which is, indeed, turning red. “Exhibit A.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m super awkward too. I would never even dream of telling a girl I liked her.”
“Is it nice, though?” Delilah stares down at her comforter and plays with a loose thread. “I mean… having your mom to talk to. My dad tries, but I feel like I could never talk to him about who I’m crushing on or dating. He would turn even more red than me.”
“It is.” I try to hold back my smile because I don’t want to make Delilah sad, but it’s hard when I talk about my mom. “My mom is my best friend. For a long time, all we had was each other, so that made us really close.”
“I understand that.”
I know she does. Probably more than most people. “For what it’s worth, I’m willing to share my mom. She’s a great listener.”
“Can I admit something?” Delilah finally looks up from the comforter and makes eye contact with me. Her eyes are heavy with something I can’t quite place. “I’m scared of getting attached to your mom, mostly because after this one dinner, I think I already am. That probably sounds crazy.”
I don’t hold back my smile this time. It’s so nice to have someone who understands. “It doesn’t sound crazy at all. I feel the same way about your dad. My dad is a grade-A asshole, and from what I can see, your dad is everything he’s not. I think maybe that’s why our parents were worried about us all getting together. I think they knew.”
“Do you think they’re in love?”
“If not yet, then soon. They’re disgustingly cute together.”
