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Brodie rolled his eyes. “Oh yeah? Well, Van has pictures of me all over his condo.”
Now, it was my turn to blush. I slid my arm around Brodie’s waist and pulled him in tight. “Jesus, Brodie, you’re such a troublemaker.”
“You love my kind of trouble.”
Without hesitation, I smiled and kissed him.
Despite all the offers of congratulations and happy smiles, I finally noticed that Brodie’s mom was curiously silent.
She put her glass down and stepped forward.
“I don’t mean to spoil your news, but are you sure this is a good idea?”
CHAPTER36
BRODIE
“We haven’t informed the label that we’re in a relationship, but we will, and soon,” Van replied. “But no matter what, Brodie comes first. If I feel there’s any personal conflict, I’ll recuse myself.”
“Van, you don’t need to—“
“Brodie, I’m not finished,” Mom interrupted. “It’s not just your work. There’s your age difference. And the tours, your nomadic lifestyle, won’t that be difficult on a relationship?”
Van squeezed my side, so I held back on saying anything.
“And I’m not going to lie and say we have all the answers, Nia. We have differences between us, including fifteen years, but Brodie and I also have a bond that has only grown stronger over time. We both understand each other’s careers and what that entails. And I can assure you, my feelings for Brodie are very real. I’m in love with your son,” Van declared.
Silence descended among my family, and I tightened my grip on Van’s waist in return.
“I believe you, but—” my mom started.
“No,” I interrupted. “That’s it. We’re not gonna justify our relationship to you. I’m in love with Van, and he’s in love with me. That’s all you need to know. He’s the best person I’ve ever met, and everything about us feels right. Be happy for us.”
I understood my mom’s protectiveness and that it came from a place of love, but I was a grown-ass man who knew my own feelings.
“You’re brave, Van, taking this one on,” Dad joked as he pointed to me, breaking the tension.
Van shook his head. “Not brave, but very lucky.”
Mom walked over and pulled me into another crushing hug. “I’m sorry, baby. You know I love you and support you. You have such a tender heart under all the snark and glamour, and I just want you to be happy.”
“I am. Beyond happy.”
She pulled back and nodded, wiping away a few tears on her face, and my own eyes filled up.
Then she turned to Van. “Brodie has always spoken highly of you, and he knows his own heart. Always has. Take good care of it.”
This time, Van pulled her into a hug. “I will.”
“Okay, okay, enough emo stuff,” I announced, lightening the mood. “Let’s get out the real booze and the cards and play some poker.”
“I’m gonna trounce your butt, asshat!” Vi called out.
And just like that, we were back to normal again.
“Dinner first, gambling later,” Mom stated. “Do you play poker, Van?”
“A few times. I’m no expert by any means.”
