AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You’re dead to me,” Avery says as he puts down his third finger, and I can’t help but chuckle at the entire exchange.
Meanwhile, I’m still sitting here with only one more finger to go, and at this rate, I’ll be the first one out. And while it’s just all fun and games with a bunch of kids, my competitive side just can’t help it.
So when I see both of my brothers sitting there with two fingers left, I go in to even the score a bit.
“Never have I ever had a twin.”
The death glare Parker and Ashton give me as they each go down to a single finger could melt ice. But the kids, my brothers included, seem to be having a good time with it, and that’s what matters most. Of course, there are still a few off-the-wall statements just to be funny as we circle around again for the second time, but I’ll chalk it up to kids being kids.
It moves to Colton next, who honestly looks ready to jump out of his seat with excitement for his turn; he’s practically overflowing with anticipation. And I’ll take that any day over the lot of them being bored.
“Never have I ever…” Colton says, eyes flicking around the campfire deviously. “Kissed another boy.”
The instant his words register, a cold sweat breaks out over my skin.
I’m comfortable in my sexuality, having learned a long time ago that being gay is nothing to be ashamed of. It’s one of many reasons I’m out to my entire family; brothers, aunts, grandparents and all. Even some of my friends back at Foltyn, like Keene and my roommate Eric, are aware of it. It’s nothing I’m trying to hide from the world, even if I’m not out screaming it from the rooftops.
It’s simply part of who I am.
But broadcasting it in front of Avery is something entirely different. There’s no telling how he’ll react. If past circumstances are anything to go on, I know it won’t be good.
Which is why I have every intention of lying in front of all these kids, if only to save my own ass.
Except, I catch the way Ashton and Parker glance over at me, waiting expectantly for me to put a finger down. Because they’re smart enough to know I should be.
Fucking shit.
Slowly, I lower my last remaining finger to my palm, effectively knocking me out of the game. But doing it as discreetly as possible does nothing to stop the few gasps echoing around the campfire.
“Wait, you’ve kissed a boy?” Colton says, his nose a little scrunched up. “You’re not supposed to.”
I quickly gather myself, answering to get ahead of any negative connotations that the boys might associate with the LGBT community. “Who says you’re not supposed to?”
“Like, everyone.”
I shake my head. “See, that’s where you’re wrong. You can kiss whoever you want, as long as you have their permission.”
“But doesn’t kissing another boy…make you gay?” asks Max.
My lips roll inward on instinct, and fuck, I don’t really want to go here right now. Especially when I can feel the heat from Avery’s attention locked on me. But to hell if I’m going to let any of these kids think there’s something wrong with having a sexuality other than straight.
“Why do you say it like it’s a bad thing?” When Max or none of the other boys answer, I continue. “But no. There is such a thing as an innocent kiss between two people who happen to be the same gender. It doesn’t automatically make you gay. Plus, there’s bisexual, for one, which is when you like boys and girls.” I pause, debating about diving deeper into things like pan or ace, but then decide better of it. It’s a topic for another time, probably when they’re a bit older.
“So which one are you?” This comes from Jordan.
My teeth sink into the fleshy part of my cheek before I say the words I told myself I’d never be ashamed of.
“I do happen to be gay.”
From the silence that descends over the fire and furrowed brows all around, it’s clear they’re processing. Hell, I’m doing my best too, but it’s almost impossible when I feel Avery staring at me.
I don’t have to look at him to confirm it; the heat from the roaring fire has nothing on the scorching blaze his eyes locked on my face are creating. It burns holes right through me until I’m seared to a crisp.
And when I do finally garner the balls to meet his gaze from across the fire, I swear I might burst into fucking flames.
I’m a goddamn glass house, and my brothers just threw rocks at all the windows and walls, breaking and shattering them pane by pane. It was an accident, nothing malicious behind their expectations to out myself. Because, to them, it wouldn’t be outing myself; they were simply waiting for me to tell the truth.
Too bad the truth is going to have massive repercussions.
