I grunt and reach for my phone to see the time. “Let’s shoot for 10 or 10:15? It’s almost 8 now.”
Jude groans. “Ten more minutes.”
I grin. “Okay. Ten more minutes.”
Ten minutes later, by some miracle, we peel ourselves away from Fort Cuddle Puddle, and I head to room 319 alone to get ready, giving us both some privacy. I told my parents to expect us around 11 AM. I almost forgot to text them last night to let them know I wouldn’t be coming home, but fortunately, I remembered just before they started to worry. I told them it was a long story, but Jude needed me. To my surprise, they accepted it. Today should be interesting, for sure.
After the sad dismantling of Fort Cuddle Puddle, we make our way to Specter. Jude drives this time, and I act as DJ. Once again, we never break physical contact—if Jude needs both hands to drive, I rest my hand on their leg. We chat, laugh, and sing along with the music the entire drive. At least until we pull into my subdivision, when Jude’s smile slowly fades.
“Hey,” I say, stroking their leg. “You don’t have anything to worry about. My family’s pretty dope.”
“Everyone?” Jude asks nervously.
I nod. “Ashley’s parents might be older, but they’re good people. They might misgender you by accident, but we can correct them, and they’ll take it in stride. I promise.”
Jude parks in the driveway, then takes a steadying breath. “Okay. Next question,” they begin, but immediately hesitate. “What…what are we?”
I let out a nervous laugh. “Good question. What do you want to be?”
Jude shakes their head. “This is your family, so you have to decide. You were my fake boyfriend for my family, so… are we doing the fake dating thing for yours, too?”
I take their hand in mine, waiting for them to look at me. “Jude Cohen, will you be my real partner?”
Jude blinks. “Like, for real?”
“For real, for real,” I say. “Not just for my family. Not just for today. But for always. For as long as you want to be.”
Jude stares at me for several seconds before their lips curl into a smile. “Yes. Yes, for always.”
My heart swells, and unable to stop myself, I lean over the console to kiss them. They happily kiss me back, sighing contentedly as they caress my cheek.
When we pull apart, I keep my eyes fixed on them. “Ready?”
“Ready.”
Hand in hand, we make our way to the front door. Before I even have my keys out, Charli swings open the door to greet us. “Oliver! There you are! We’ve been worried sick!”
I frown. “What? I texted Dad and Ashley?—”
“Relax, unc, I’m messing with you,” Charli says with a grin, then turns her attention to Jude. “Happy Thanksgiving! Hi, I’m Charli.” Charli extends a hand to Jude.
“Hey Charli! I’m Jude. Nice to meet you!”
I glare at Charli. “Really? ‘Unc’ again? Where is Bella?”
Charli smirks. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
Before I can reply, Ashley appears at the door. “Hey Oliver! Y’all come inside!”
We step through the doorway and take off our shoes.
“Welcome to our home!” Ashley says with a wide smile. “I’m Ashley, Oliver’s stepmom.”
“Nice to meet you, Ashley,” Jude says. “I’m Jude. I’m—” they glance at me for support. “I’m Oliver’s partner.”
Ashley’s eyes widen. “Partner? Oh! I thought you—but Oliver said?—”
“Our status just recently changed,” I explain, interlacing my fingers with Jude. “As of like, the last twelve hours.”
