Jay looks entertained. I bet he’s been waiting all afternoon for someone to speak up. And sure, from their perspective, it makes sense. It’s just that Finn’s got different motives.
Finn opens his mouth. Tom is faster.
“Cut the bullshit, Finn. You’re throwing a tantrum because I told you in Amsterdam to stay the fuck away from Yosh.”
By now, everyone has dropped their forks. Joan can’t suppress a small squeal.
“Yosh is off-limits because he’s mine. He’s my boyfriend, that’s why he’s here.”
I hold my breath.Fuck.
A few people blink, their jaws dropping. Joan clasps her hand around Effy’s arm in shock.
After SeaBreeze and everything that’s happened, I’m surprised she didn’t know, or even suspect something.
Everyone’s trying to read each other's reactions, and then, almost simultaneously, everyone bursts out laughing.
Eli laughs from across the table. “Nice try, Tom. The gossip channels call you the pussy licker of Amsterdam for a reason. He's not that reason.”
For my sanity, I’m pretending that didn’t happen. Tom can explain that one later. For now, I just hope this is not going to escalate.
Tom stays calm. He finds my hand under the table, lacing his fingers through mine. We meet each other’s eyes, and that smile of his makes everything right. I can’t help but mirror him when he places our joined hands on the table.
Finn narrows his eyes, slowly realizing this is real. Cheryl looks horrified. Janice is watching Jay, waiting for his reaction. Eli shakes his head with a scoff.
Calvin just shrugs. He’s known for weeks, ever since he caught me bent over his kitchen island with my pants around my ankles.
As for the younger ones, Luca and Alex exchange a fist bump as they suddenly realize there's a majority of queer men in this room. Then my eyes find Joan, who has her face buried in her hands. I think I hear a quiet sob before she stands and runs out of the dining room. Effy sighs, telling Jay she’s going to calm her sister.
Tom doesn’t react to any of them. He lifts his glass, raising it in a salute. Then pokes at his cucumber salad as if nothing happened.
He’s not waiting for anyone’s approval, and he’s not going after his bestie Joan either.
The longer I stay in the den, the more I understand why. This is him putting concrete under his words in a house where a small storm can blow everything apart. One sign of weakness, and they’d have him exactly where they want.
I’m proud of him for that. But underneath, I feel sadness. I wanted him to have a more supportive coming out. Then again, I don’t think the coming out part is the problem with this family.
It’s me. I’m the problem.
I pick up my fork and start eating too. We’re the only ones, our hands locked under the table.
Whatever the world throws at us, I’m not letting go of him.
The real challenge is keeping my eyes off Jay. I know better than to give him that satisfaction, so I try to do it discreetly and fast, from the corner of my eye.
Oh, he doesn’t look pleased. He’s staring at me like I’m Public Enemy No.1.
I look back at Tom. He’s beaming, barely holding his expression in check.
We’re solid. They won't break us.
Jay knows. I can feel his rage building with every second. He knows his control over Tom is slipping while mine is taking its place.
Now I do look at him, only one message passing between us.
Tom is mine.
Tom is mine.
