Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 112850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
“No, you look great,” I said, walking toward the front door as my own nerves began to get the best of me. Either he’d follow or stay here, but I had to get this over with. “Come on.”
Since Slade’s air conditioning assessment was real, and I was dusty and dirty and smelled like horse, I jumped in the passenger seat of Slade’s new truck.
I navigated one of the shortest trips I’d ever taken to my parents’ home. I wasn’t sure we passed another vehicle on the road, anything that would’ve added time to our trip and delayed my confession.
Slade’s usual talkative nature was silent. I guided him to the opening of the finely ground gravel driveway outside their house. We pulled in behind everyone. If we needed a quick getaway, we wouldn’t be trapped in the longish driveway.
He and I walked side by side, stride for stride.
“I’m sorry.”
Before I could respond, the front door popped open. Lori was there. “I gotta g…” Yeah, I figured she’d shut up once she saw Slade show up with me. Another point in my guy’s favor that I’d finally found something to shut her mouth.
A wide grin spread over her lips as my mom came in behind her. “Who’s with him?”
Before more could be said, Slade stepped up the porch steps. He’d managed to shut them both up. My mom automatically came to me for a side hug, but her entire being remained focused on Slade. “Why’re you bringin’ Poseidon to my house?”
“Who?” my father said from the doorway.
My heart was beating so hard and fast that I lost most of my hearing from its loud pounding. I became numb as the Slade-induced fawning started. Clearly, they thought my need to see them was to bring some Hollywood A-lister to meet them. Thankfully, Slade had his practiced, patient grin in place.
“Come inside,” my mom said and shooed us all through the doorframe. “We don’t want the bugs to get in.” Through the history of our family-owned bar, they had met the old time actors of the Western movie world, but nothing of the caliber of Slade’s celebrity.
But that wasn’t why we were here, and I was afraid if I waited too long to say anything, I wouldn’t do it. “Slade, this is my mom, Jilly. My father, Les.”
The introductions fell flat when my brain started hammering and humming the importance of protecting them against whatever Slade felt was coming for us.
“Mace, sit down,” my mom said distractedly. “Do you want something to drink?” My mom flitted around under her excitement. “I’m goin’ to get the kids to meet Poseidon.”
“Mom, wait,” I said as she scurried past me, picking up the kids’ toys from the floor. Slade had followed instructions, taking a seat in a side chair, becoming the shiniest thing inside this home. He was staring at me over his shoulder. I stood close to the door.
Maybe the stare meant he’d changed his mind. Me and my family were too meh for his way of life.
The devil was messing with me. The man loved me more than I ever deserved.
“What, son?” my mom asked, her brow furrowed.
“Can you sit down before we bring the kids in?” I asked.
“Oh, this is gonna be good,” Lori said, dropping crisscross on the floor and clapping her hands together.
I glared at her while my mom took the only available seat beside Max, who—to his credit—had stayed quiet this entire time.
Slade stood and pointed me to his seat. I shook my head. This was on me and didn’t need to waste a minute sitting.
“Mom, Dad.” The sudden lump in my throat was hard to swallow. My eyelids closed of their own accord. My heart flip-flopped nearly out of my chest. I had to end my agony. “I’m gay.”
Silence. Since my eyes were closed, I couldn’t judge the expressions, which had me forcing my lids open. Everyone was staring at me expectantly. My left eye spasmed.
“Is that it?” my mom asked. “Nothin’ more?”
“Mama, you know this is hard on him,” my father answered for me in words that I didn’t understand how they fit, causing an eyebrow to lower. My body trembled.
“Right, Daddy, it’s just been so long,” she said, getting to her feet, coming to me. My father did too. “Son, you’re our child. Of course, we know you’re gay.”
“How did Wildflower get her name?” my father asked as my mother had come to me, wrapping both arms around my waist. My father stepped into us and hugged me tight too. He spoke of a time I didn’t remember. “As a young boy, you loved flowers. You’re responsible for most of the wildflowers around our house. There’s symmetry that isn’t natural to how they’re planted.”
“I don’t understand,” I said, rearing back to better see him.
“I do. We knew. Maybe everyone knows. We were waitin’ for you to figure it out,” Lori said from her seat on the carpet. “Natalie told me a long time ago that you knew you were gay, but you wanted a family.”