Page 93 of The Longshot

“Crawfield Football Club,” I answer proudly on his behalf. “You know, the team where Ruby lives?” I boast. “Gary also just so happens to be their captain, might I add.”

“The captain?” Mum purses her lips before sipping her wine, a look of what I can’t decipher as impression or opposition in her eyes.

“Does that make you any money?” Dad is back at it with the blatant questions.

“Dad!” This time, I’m quick to counter before I apologetically turn to face Gary. “I’m so sorry, you seriously don’t have to answer that?—”

“I’ve made enough over time to not only pay off my parent's mortgage but get one of my own, sir. I’ve begun a college tuition fund for each of my siblings so that they won’t have to pay for school when the time comes, and to top it all off, I’m completely financially independent.” Gary cuts in. “So, yes, to answer your question, Mr. Windsor, I make money. There’s no question about that.”

I’m left stunned. Speechless. And don’t get me started on the look of embarrassment on each of my parents' faces. All the while, Gary decides that now is the perfect time to nonchalantly take the first few bites of his meal.

“This is delicious,” he brings the once silence to a stop. “Mmm, what is it, lamb?” he asks, visibly unphased by just how struck he’s left everyone.

“Yes...” Mum nervously clutches a hold of her wine glass as Gary licks his lips.

“It’s so good. Have you tried it yet, Chels?” He looks over at me.

I nod, taking a bite for myself so that I don’t have to say anything, leaving this awkward silence to be resolved by my parents.

“Well, Gary.” Mum smiles over at him. “It sounds like you’ve got it all together. Chelsie.” Her attention falls my way. “You’re a lucky girl, aren’t you? So, tell us, how long have you and Chelsie been dating?”

Gary dabs the corners of his mouth with the handkerchief, yet it doesn’t disguise the way his face turns slightly red. “Well, we haven’t put a label on it yet, but?—”

“About a month now,” my voice goes up an octave as I quickly cut him off. “Yeah, Gary and I met when I was visiting Ruby out in Crawley. Isn’t that right, Gary?” I look his way but leave him no time to chime in as I uncontrollably ramble on. “Needless to say, one thing led to another and look at us now. Together.”

Suspicious, Dad narrows in his stare. “So you are dating then?” he pries.

“Not officially, but?—”

“Yes. Yes, we are,” I stop Gary yet again. “Gary’s my boyfriend. I’m his girlfriend. That’s how relationships work, right? Now, can we eat, please?”

Mum and Dad are hardly satisfied. I don’t seem to care until Gary’s hand tenses around my thigh, prompting me to gaze into his lost eyes.

He’s confused. I don’t blame him. I knew this would come back to bite me in the ass. I should’ve been honest from the start with him about what I told my parents. We could’ve avoided this whole song and dance…

“Well, if you two are together, then I suppose that means you’ll be coming to our vow renewal as her date, won’t you, Gary?” Mum demands his attention.

“I, uh…”

“He’ll be there,” I can’t stop myself from answering for him.

He turns to face me, even more confused than before. “I will?”

“Yes, you will. We talked about this. Remember?” I flash him a look—one that I hope doesn’t make it abundantly obvious to my parents that we didn’t, in fact, talk about this.

Discerning my gaze, Gary swallows before locking eyes with my parents. “I’ll uh… try my best to be there, Mr. and Mrs. Windsor.” He clears his throat. “But the truth is, the season has been busy lately, and it’s hard for me to find full days off.”

Unimpressed by his answer, Dad leans back into his chair. “You know, Gary, Simon always prioritized family,” he mutters before reaching toward his champagne. “Always.”

“Mark,” Mum hisses before I can. “That’s enough.”

“What?” Dad raises his hands in defense, placing the flute back down on the table. “I’m just telling the truth, Sarah. I mean, not long ago, it was Simon sitting here, was it not? And now it’s… him.” He points Gary’s way.

The room falls silent with tension, but it doesn't last long as my dad’s rant carries on.

“Listen, I’m not trying to be funny with you, lad, but you’ve got to understand, Simon was a part of our family for a long time, and now all of a sudden it’s?—”

“Can I be excused?” I stand up from the table, pushing my chair back as I do. “I… I need some fresh air.”

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