Cody stood in front of the display and patted his stomach. “I think the chocolate brownie. I’ll have to add some extra sit-ups to work it off.”
Sherri looked him up and down, licked her lips, and smiled widely. “I don’t think you need to, honey.”
“My boyfriend tells me the same thing.” He saw the smile fall from Sherri’s face. “One piece of the chocolate brownie, please.” Toni touched his arm and Cody nodded to a table in the corner. “Go and sit down. I’ll bring these over.”
Toni sighed and walked over to the table. Once she’d sat, Cody waited for the drinks and food, paid and carried them over to Toni. Toni sighed as she took her first sip, then rubbed her stomach. “I can’t wait for this to be over.”
“I’m so glad I’m a man.”
Putting her cup down, Toni asked, “What happened? Why did you leave like that?”
Cody sat back in his chair and stared outside, watching the traffic go past the window. “What has Cass said?”
“Cass? Nothing other than trying to find out where you’d gone. We were frantic, calling everywhere, asking anyone we could think of. We were so scared something had happened to you and we couldn’t help you.”
“You know about my night out? The bar and what happened after?”
Toni inhaled and nodded. “Yeah, I know.” She gave him a stern look, then shook her head. “Stupid thing to do, but you learn from your mistakes.”
“Or you crash and burn.”
“Jesus, Cody.” Toni blinked and Cody could see a sheen of tears. “Is that why you changed? You were such a sweet kid, but quiet too, then after that…”
“I thought it would make me not gay, but when you’re gay, that isn’t going to happen. My plan to erase being gay failed, and I went off the deep end. You were there. You saw what I did.”
“And I saw Cass trying to help you. What did he do that made you leave? What was so bad—”
“Conversion camp.” Toni snapped her mouth shut. “Yeah. I didn’t take it well. Ran off. TJ let me stay at his place, but I was past saving by then. He told you what I did?”
“Stealing from him?” Cody grimaced. “Oh yeah. He was pissed about that in between spending sleepless nights searching for you. We all searched for you. I was so fucking scared, Cody.” Toni blinked, a tear falling down her face. “I called everyone I could think of. On the internet searching for hospitals and police and anyone I could think of who might be able to help us find you. I had to help Cass because Cassie was a mess, and Emilywasn’t doing much. I had the boys, and just had the baby, and you’d gone.”
“I’m sorry.” Cody’s lip trembled and he bit it. Hard. “I didn’t think how this would affect you. I just had to get away.”
“And where did you go? Where was better than here?”
“I found a place. Fell in with the homeless, the drug users.” Cody breathed deeply. “I did so much damage to myself. I didn’t care if I lived or died, until I almost did die.”
“Cody, no.” Toni took Cody’s hand in her own. “It couldn’t have gotten that bad.”
“Worse, but I survived. Maybe one day I’ll tell you about it. Then you can hit me for being so stupid.”
“God, I love you, you stupid boy.”
Cody laughed. “I love you too.”
Toni wiped a tear from Cody’s face, then stroked his cheek. Leaning back in her chair, she watched Cody, then murmured, “TJ.”
“TJ.”
“Does he know?”
Cody tilted his head. “Do you?”
“I’m not blind, unlike some in your family. I saw the looks you gave him. He, of course, was oblivious. Typical man.” Toni grinned. “You’re staying with him.”
“I am. Does it bother you? I’m younger than him and we’re family through marriage.”
“I don’t know. You’ve just returned home, so I think we need to give it some time. And you will at some point have to speak to your parents. I know they won’t take it well if you do… chase TJ.” Toni suddenly grinned. “I can’t wait to see how he takes it.”
