Page 74 of AJ’s Fire

He took off, never letting go of my hand. His parents sat in silence as we bolted past them. In the kitchen, still clinging to my hand, he turned, wide-eyed, his breathing heavy.

“Deep breaths, cariño. In, out. In, out.”

I took a step back, continuing to breathe in an exaggerated fashion before turning to the refrigerator and pulling out three beers. “Red or white for your mom?”

In, out, in, out before he answered with a weak smile, “White.”

“Okay.” I handed him a bottle opener for the beer and uncorked the wine.

When we returned, I handed both Mr. and Mrs. Dorso their drinks. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” I said before taking the chair opposite Jackson’s mother. Jackson remained standing.

Mrs. Dorso smiled cautiously at me as she took her drink. “You’ll have to forgive us. This is a lot to take in. We thought … Emily moved to the city. She’s expanding Wyecrest Entertainment. We’re expanding Wyecrest Entertainment, and we thought …”

“Mom, I know you think I’m going to come back to DE, and I know you think that Ems and I are going to get together, but I’ve never so much as intimated that. Think on it, just for a second, and you’ll see that I’ve never said it. I know the great Mandy Dorso is used to getting her way, and I’m so proud of the things you’ve accomplished because of it. But I’m a firefighter, and a Brooklynite, and I’m AJ Gordon’s partner.” He looked at me after he said it, and I smiled brightly. “I’ve been those things for the past five years, and I plan to be them for a long time.”

I wanted to jump up and hug him, but I remained where I was, nodding in agreement at his words. He looked at me, nervous but strong, and I smiled in encouragement. He took the cue and sat down, chugging his beer before continuing.

“Five years! I don’t understand, you’ve been with this … man for five years? I thought …” His mother looked at his father, who sat stoically looking at his son. Really looking at his son. “What about Emily? What about the company! Who …”

“Sorry.” Jackson glanced my way again, like he was filling up on strength through our connection. I was happy to be that for him. “Let me be clear. AJ and I haven’t been dating for five years. I haven’t been hiding anything from you for that long. I didn’t really realize I was bisexual until about a year ago. And then …” He looked at me and couldn’t help but smile. I noticed his parents take it in, and Mr. Dorso narrowed his eyes.

“I know it’s just another thing.” Jax stood and came to my side, sitting on the arm of my chair and taking my hand again. “I get that it’s just another way that I’ve othered myself in your eyes. Wrong profession, wrong sexuality.” He looked at me. “Wrong boyfriend. But I need you to understand that those things, those things are the most right things about me. I’m so sick of being a disappointment to you. I was going to tell you, I promise, next weekend. I’m sorry you think everything I do is wrong. But this is my life. AJ is my life.”

The flame that lived in my stomach surged, and I hoped Jackson could sense my love and my pride from his perch even as he focused on his parents.

“You led us to believe you were with Emily!” His mother was agitated.

“I never …” Jackson began, but his father spoke over him.

“He was never with Emily, Mandy. Think about it. We knew that. Just because we wished it doesn’t make it true.”

Mr. Dorso was looking at me as he said that last part, and then he continued. “You have to forgive us, Mr. Gordon, my son is right; we’ve become somewhat used to getting our way. And ever since Jackson moved to Brooklyn, we figured it would be an acceptable compromise if he ended up with Emily, and she managed our holdings for the family. Emily would be a safe choice, a logical choice.” Riley Dorso smiled for the first time since I’d entered the room. “I suppose we never should have assumed that a man who enjoys running into burning buildings would make a safe choice.” He stood and headed our way, and Jackson and I stood to face him.

“We’ve heard a lot about you over the years, Mr. Gordon.”

“AJ,” I interrupted as he extended his hand for me to shake.

“AJ.” He nodded as we shook. “Your father is the poet, no?”

“Clifford Gordon, yes, sir.”

“We look forward to meeting him,” Mr. Dorso said, emphasis on the word “we” as he turned toward his wife.

“We have some things to sort out, Jackson. About the trust and how it will run. Your father and I, we do want to retire, eventually. If Emily is not going to take over, we need to figure out how to structure … everything.” She looked at me with narrow eyes.

“Yeah, Mom. I get that. It’s probably time that we figure this shit out.”

She stood as well, and I stepped aside to give the family some space.

“And you’ll need a prenup.”

“Mom!” Jackson’s face turned adorably red, and he turned to look at me. My eyes crinkled in a way he’d told me he loved, and I laughed and shrugged.

“Yes. Of course!” I agreed without hesitation.

“Oh my God, Mom,” Jackson spoke over me. Mrs. Dorso hugged her son.

“We’ll see you on Easter?” she asked.