Page 112 of Unstitch

Belle looks up, her beautiful face stricken. ‘Yeah. I mean, I agree. But poor Dex. God, I feel sick for him.’

‘I know.’ I reach over and squeeze her hand. ‘But I’ll say this. I think Max is kind of good for him. He definitely pushes him, but he never makes him feel alone. He actually said the most amazing stuff, all about how your brother is perfect just as he is, and he deserves to take up space in the world and have his needs met and do what he wants to do. It was really beautiful.’

Maddy presses her hand to her chest. ‘Oh, my heart. That’s so romantic.’

‘It really was. I’m still worried for him, though.’

‘How did he take it all?’ Belle wants to know.

‘He said he really wants it, he just doesn’t know how to take the steps to get there. He cares so much about people’s perceptions, and he didn’t really go into it, but I think he’s super worried about your dad.’

Belle’s nodding slowly. ‘I can only imagine. He’s basically going to have to choose between Dad and you guys. I just don’t see Dad being remotely willing to accept him as queer and in a poly relationship.’ Her eyebrows rise at the thought of it. ‘It’s a bloody nightmare.’

‘That was kind of the conclusion we reached, I think, though Max made it clear it was less about him choosing us and more about him choosing himself and his own happiness.’

‘Sounds like the pep talk I had to give you when your dad went nuclear, babes,’ Maddy says, nudging Belle with her elbow.

‘Yeah, except this is a million times worse,’ Belle says. ‘That was sex before marriage, this is a whole other ballgame. You’re right, Darce, I’m really glad he has you and Max. You’ll look after him, won’t you?’

‘We’ll smother him in love,’ I say. ‘He’s not alone in this. So he’s promised to give it serious thought, but he needs some time to process, I think. He knows what’s at stake. Max is such a strong character—there’s no way he’ll keep sneaking around with Dex when he’s always been so vocal about his own sexuality.’

‘Have you thought about what would happen if Dex decided he couldn’t do it?’ Nat asks tentatively.

My eyes fill with tears. ‘I can’t. I can’t even think about it. There’s no way I could choose between them. We’re so good together! You should see us. If I say so myself, we’re adorable.’

‘We want you all to be happy,’ Belle says. ‘We want this, too. We want you guys at Alchemy, having fun together, not feeling judged or constrained. Actually?—’

Maddy looks up sharply. ‘What?’

‘If you think about it,’ Belle says, ‘Dex’s life is pretty unbalanced. All his friends are getting married—to women. I can’t imagine the City is the easiest place to build a queer community, even if all the banks say they’re supporting diversity. All his life, his social circle has been seriously conservative. Think about it. And then he’s got you guys, but that’s all still behind closed doors. It’s not a surprise that he can’t imagine merging the two realities.

‘I was like that, too, until I met Rafe and found a community that was way more open-minded and tolerant. I think he needs more exposure to that kind of vibe so he can normalise acting from the heart. He’s never had it modelled for him, really.’

‘What are you suggesting?’ I ask. ‘More time at Alchemy, maybe?’

Belle grins. ‘I’m suggesting we get Rafe, Zach and Cal to give him a pep talk of their own.’

78

DARCY

We’re all remarkably well behaved this evening. The pregnant ladies aren’t drinking, obviously, and Nat and I are nursing our cocktails carefully, given neither of us can show up for work shitfaced. I’m in danger of making this evening all about me, but I have another question for the girls.

‘Can I tell you something I’m thinking about and you tell me if I’m crazy?’

‘Of course,’ Nat says. ‘What’s up?’

‘The difference between my and the boys’ schedules is driving me crazy. They work all day, I dance all evening. I never get to see them. And I’m starting to get a bit icky about the naked dancing stuff.’

Maddy frowns. ‘Are they making you feel bad about it?’

‘God, no. Not in the slightest. They’re really supportive. But I don’t like it as much as when I was single. And also…’ I trail off.

‘What is it, hon?’ Belle asks gently.

I sigh. ‘I’m proud of my talents, but honestly, where do I go from here? Dancing’s my passion, but dancing in a club is hardly the stuff stellar careers are made of, is it?’

‘Oh, I see what’s happening,’ Maddy says. ‘You’re dating two seriously ambitious guys, and you’re feeling inadequate. That’s it, isn’t it?’

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