“Come in,” I call.
Adam peeks in, his voice gentle. “Hey, just checking in to make sure you have everything. There are clean towels in the bathroom.”
“Thank you,” I say, but it doesn’t feel like enough.
He nods, about to close the door, and I speak again. “No, thank you, for everything. For bringing me down here and making me face my past. I think it was good for me… and I wouldn’t have known that if it weren’t for you and Cole.”
“Oh,” he says, a little caught off guard. “It’s no problem, you know I always have your best interest at heart.”
“I know,” I whisper. “And thank you for that. I’m sorry I don’t come around more.”
His eyes soften. “Don’t worry about that, we’re all busy living our lives. What matters is that you’re here now.”
He hesitates for a second, scratching the back of his neck.
“But hey… I actually have something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about. I’ve been waiting to tell you in person, and, well… now feels right.”
“What’s up?” I ask.
He takes a breath. “I’m gay.”
There’s a beat of silence. Not because I’m shocked, but because I feel something crack wide open in my chest. Not in a bad way, in a way that says I see you, because really, I was right all along.
“I know,” I say softly, smiling.
His eyes widen a little. “How?”
“Adam, come on, when we were little, you used to do my hair and let me put makeup on you. Cole wouldn’t have been caught dead doing that. And… remember the night I caught Dad? I stopped by your place first, and you were there, with a guy. It felt like more than just two friends hanging out.”
He blinks, then lets out a breathy laugh. “You really clocked me, huh?”
“I just wanted you to tell me on your own time,” I say.
He chuckles, rubbing a hand over his face. “Well… I appreciate that. I guess I made it pretty obvious though.”
“Maybe,” I tease. “But it still means something that you chose to tell me. I’m honored.”
I pull him into a hug, and to my surprise, I feel a tear land on my shoulder, just one. But it says everything, I give him a final squeeze and hold onto his arms for a second longer, just to take in the moment. His face is a little wet, his smile small but real.
“Good night, lil sis,” he says, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek. “Sweet dreams.”
“Good night,” I reply, heart full.
As if on cue, my phone buzzes. Lana.
“Hey,” I answer.
“Hey,” she says. “How’s your dad?”
“Good. I think we’re both going to be alright.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” There’s a pause, and then: “You still need to be picked up tomorrow morning?”
“Yes, please. You’re the best.”
“I’ll do it,” she says, “but on one condition.”
“Uh oh.”
