Kit laughs. “Maybe he should come into the stall with me, so I don’t get kidnapped again.”
My jaw clenches. I’m glad he can joke about it, but it’s not fucking funny.
Selina gasps at Kit’s comment and looks at Ray. “Just wait for him, yeah?”
Ray stands immediately. “Obviously.” He puts a hand on Kit’s shoulder. “Come on, kid.”
I watch them walk away, tense until they disappear around the corner. I should have gone with him, but I know my parents are about to interrogate me.
My mother leans forward, eyes sparkling with curiosity. “So?”
I sigh. “What?”
My father shifts uncomfortably. “So… you’re…”
I exhale through my nose. “What? Just because of my size and reputation I can’t be with another man?”
My father goes slightly red. “What? No! I just… I wasn’t expecting it. Christopher is… uh…”
Armen finishes for him with a grin. “Soren’s complete opposite? Much smaller? Delicate? Boyish? Yeah, weallsee it, Mr. Sinclair.”
My father nods. “Exactly. Just not what I expected.”
My mother waves a hand. “Well, I think he’s lovely, and charming. So what if he’s small?I’msmall. You don’t see people messing with me.” She pauses, then adds more seriously, “Besides, he’sclearlygot some strength if he survived whatever horror he went through.”
I nod slowly. “Yeah. He’s… one of the strongest people I know.”
Armen starts to speak, pride in his voice, “Boy can that kid swing a…”
I clear my throat loudly and glare at him. My parents do not need to know the details of how Finn died, of what Kit did to him; Iknowthat’s where Armen was going.
My mother smiles warmly. “Well, you can always find a nice surrogate then…”
I slowly turn to look at her, eyes wide. “Um…what?”
My father laughs and groans, running a hand down his face.
My mother continues cheerfully, “You see it all the time these days! Gay couples adopting or using a surrogate for a biological child…”
“Mother,” I cut in, stunned.
Right then, Kit returns with Ray. He looks between all of us, still a little flushed from the wine. “What are we talking about?”
Ray gives me a subtle thumbs-up, letting me know Kit’s fine.
I laugh awkwardly and say quickly, “Nothing. Nothingat all.You just… sit there and look pretty.”
I whisper under my breath, “Jesus Christ.”
My mother, bless her oblivious heart, leans forward with that sweet, curious smile she gets when she’s had a few glasses of wine. “So, Christopher,” she says, trying to sound casual, “have you ever thought about children before? Or… would you like them in the future?”
The table goes dead silent for half a second.
Kit, who is now pleasantly tipsy and clearly not thinking straight, blinks at her with a bright, dopey smile.
“Oh! Kids?” He laughs, a little too loud. “I mean… I’ve never really thought about it? But I like them, they’re cute. Tiny humans running around.Chaos… I could do chaos.”
Selina, the traitor, jumps in immediately. “You’d look so cute holding a baby, Kit!”
