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But then his easygoing expression faded, and he grew serious.
“What? What’s wrong?”
“I told my parents.”
I didn’t need to ask him what he was talking about. I knew.
He’d finally come out to them, but he seemed overall okay, which gave me hope that things had gone well.
I was about to ask him just that when he inhaled deeply, clearly about to say something else.
“My mother was supportive instantly. My father was a little bit more hesitant. I think it really came down to he didn’t understand it. He blames himself, talking about how he should’ve taken me on more trips, done more manly things.” Isaac snorted as if it were funny, or maybe a little bit twisted. “As if taking me on a fishing trip or going hunting would make me less gay.”
He started chuckling, which led me to do the same thing. Leave it to Isaac to have a good attitude about the whole thing.
“So, what does this all mean? Everything’s good with your family? They accept it fully?”
“I think my dad’s gonna take a little bit of time to really get used to it all, but we all had a good cry, hugged, and they told me how much they loved me. So, the outcome is far better than what I imagined.”
In that moment, I felt like things were falling right into place. I reached out and hugged him, feeling his body relax against mine, the relief clear in the way he held himself. “I’m really happy things worked out.” He pulled back and I knew what he was going to ask before he said the words. It was clear in the way he looked at me.
“And I know what you’re going to say. We haven’t told our family about us yet. But that’s coming up Saturday. I just hope they are as accepting about Roman and me as your family was about you.”
Isaac looked at me and gave me a sympathetic smile. “And if they aren’t then screw it. You’re happy and that’s all that matters.”
I nodded. “I know. That’s what I’ve told myself.” I leaned my shoulder against his and saw him glance at the mystery guy again. “Now, tell me about Mr. So-and-So over there.” I glanced over to where the two guys stood. The one who had been checking Isaac out looked over his shoulder at that moment.
“That’s Devon. We’ve known each other for years. I had no idea he was gay. I guess he hid it as well as I did.”
The way he said that told me Isaac was head over heels for the guy already, or maybe he always had been. And the way Devon looked at Isaac told me he felt the same way.
“So, things are serious between you two?”
Isaac smiled and shrugged, but he didn’t have to say the words to let me know that he was content with how things were. I could see it, feel it pouring off of him.
“We’re taking it slow, we’ll just say that.” The happiness in Isaac’s voice was clear.
“And you’re happy?” I asked, hoping he was.
Isaac looked at me and grew serious. “I can’t remember a time when I was this happy.”
I reached out and took his hand in mine, giving it a squeeze. I guess Isaac’s story was for another day. And that was okay. The only thing that mattered was that smile on his face, and how he was finally getting what he wanted.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Kennedy
Saturday
The grill was started, our family was gathered around, and I was so damn nervous that I felt like I was going to throw up. It was Catherine’s birthday, and my father and step-mother had decided to throw this party out of the blue. But the timing was perfect seeing as Roman and I needed to tell everyone about us anyway. What better way than today when we were all together?
I wanted Roman here to give me some support, to tell me everything was okay, that we’d make this work.
But as he helped my dad bring out the food to be cooked, I couldn’t help but wonder if he’d regret us letting our families know we were a couple.
Over the last few weeks I’d felt this shift between Roman and me. It was strange, one that made me feel like with as much time had been wasted, we were exactly where we were meant to be. That even though I’d only met him two years ago, that our families had meshed together to become one, he was the person I’d been born to love.
“How are you doing, sweetheart?” I looked over to see Roman’s mother, Abigail, sitting across from me. I’d been so lost in my thoughts that I hadn’t even heard her approach. I pasted on a smile, keeping my hands in my lap underneath the table so she couldn’t see me fidgeting with them. Because I was so nervous.
