Page 98 of Tongue-Tied

Speaking of my gorgeous boyfriend, I turn toward him and take in his black slacks, jacket, and red tie. “God, you look amazing. You might not be allowed to change out of your clothes later.”

“Yeah?” He pecks my lips as he grips the lapels of my jacket. “Maybe we have time for a quickie right now.”

“I wish. My parents will be here any minute.” I glance at the open bedroom door. “Plus, Kael and Angelica won’t let us live it down.”

My sex life has surpassed the learning curve, to say the least. Dex and I have tried all sorts of positions since we professed our feelings last spring, and Dildo Baggins has also had his share of activity, though that’s more for Dex’s enjoyment than mine. I prefer the real thing to anything artificial. But he makes it fun, and I’m definitely not complaining.

I even fucked Dex for the first time over the summer, and that was…surreal. He loved it, and so did I, but my favorite is still when it’s just the two of us in the dead of night, facing each other and trying not to wake up our roommates. When Dex takes his time, and we make love slow and sweet. When I can see the vulnerability and affection in his eyes. Just thinking about it makes me shiver.

“You cold?” Dex asks, throwing his arms around me.

“Okay, lovebirds,” Kael says from the doorway. “Your parents are here.”

“Don’t you look snazzy.” Kael is wearing slacks and a jacket he bought from a secondhand store with Angelica’s help. She was also able to find a pretty knee-length dress. Kael has been sporting some scruff lately, along with leaner muscles from his workout routine, and it looks good on him.

“Thanks, you two.” He smiles. “See you in a bit.”

Kael and Dex have been instrumental in securing more funding for all-gender single stall restrooms, and they got a standing ovation at a recent LGBTQ+ club meeting they attended to make the announcement. Turns out they benefit parents and families too.

We head downstairs, where my parents are looking just as flashy in their formal clothes.

“Thank you for coming today,” Dex says as he hugs them.

“We wouldn’t miss it,” Mom says. “Where’s Jodi?”

“She’s meeting us there.”

In a few minutes, we’ll be heading to a fundraiser Dex helped organize through his internship for a local congressional candidate. He was able to help select the charity after speaking to Jodi and her friends, who volunteer for Successful Women. It’s an organization that helps disadvantaged women with everything from supplying interview clothes to writing the perfect résumé.

Ever since Jodi stood up to her boss, she’s like a new person. Not only does she advocate for women’s rights, but she’s also been dealing with her past trauma through therapy.

“Are we ready to go?” Dex asks as he hands each of us something to carry. Boxes of basket giveaways head to Dex’s Jeep, while additional displays for Casino Night fit in my parents’ back seat. Jodi and the other organizers didn’t exactly need his help, but Dex insisted. He’s so proud of his mom and has even participated in her therapy sessions. As a result, they’ve become even closer.

I wave for Dad to follow us as we pull away from the curb. We’ve had our parents over for dinner a couple of times, and the last man Jodi brought around got Dex’s approval. When she and the guy parted ways as friends, Jodi was stronger about it than she’d ever been before.

When we get to the hall, the first person we see is Jodi fixing the black tablecloths on the round tables.

“I’m so nervous,” Jodi says after she greets us. “So, what do you think?”

“Everything looks great,” Dex says as he busses her cheek. “And so do you.”

“Yeah, you really do,” I add. She’s wearing a simple black dress with a strand of pearls that accentuate her neckline.

“It’s going to be a fun night,” Mom says.

“Can we help with anything?” Dad asks, and we’re put to work assisting with last-minute fixes before the doors officially open.

As the guests begin arriving and finding their seats, I can see the pride shining in Dex’s eyes. When he introduces us to Congressman Burke, I can almost picture Dex’s future. And given the representative’s delighted smile as he takes in the venue, Dex is going to be damned good at it.

Kael and Angelica arrive and immediately head to the open bar for refreshments. Dex’s eyes light up upon seeing his friends walk in. Ian, Bruce, Milo, Carson, and Craig have all decided to support him, which is really awesome.

I smile when I see the girl standing beside Milo.

“This is Lisa,” Milo says, and I can see the affection for her reflected in his eyes.

“Great to meet you,” she says with a grin. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

According to Dex, Lisa was home over summer break, and by chance, she and Milo ran into each other. They rekindled their friendship first, which led to them admitting they were still in love. Just like my favorite second-chance romances.

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