Page 108 of Tide Over

I nod. “I will.”

His smile softens, and he nods back at me.

Because Iwillbe back next season.

My gaze wanders around the room as I take in my family. Isla and Chris are looking at a book on the couch next to Grandpa, Mason still has his eyes glued to Liam’s phone, and Heather issitting on the arm of the couch next to him, intently listening as he rambles on about the sea creatures in the photos.

Mom sets a salad on the table and wipes her hands on her apron as she looks around to ensure everything is ready. But before she can call us all to the table, I take a deep breath in, knowing I need to do this now.

“Hey, Mom?” I say, my voice tight with nerves as she turns her attention to me. “Can you come sit for a minute?”

She eyes me curiously as she steps into the living room. “Everything ok?”

“Yeah,” I say, glancing at Liam. He gives me a soft smile and an encouraging nod. But my heart isrioting.

Mom sits on a chair, concern flickering in her eyes. Everyone stares back at me, waiting… and the weight of their silence presses down on me until my hand trembles and I rub it on my knee with a shaky breath.

“Honey, what’s wrong?” Mom asks, leaning forward.

“Nothing’s wrong,” I say, my voice quiet and breathy. “I just… uh…”

I feel frozen as I sit here, with everyone’s eyes on me as I hold onto a secret that is desperate to get out… and may be one they don’t want to know.

But Liam subtly presses his leg against mine, lending me the strength I need to just do this.

I drop my eyes to his leg pressed against mine and pull in a deep breath. “I’m gay.”

The words hang heavily between us all, and everything seems to still. I force myself to look up at my family and meet their gazes, knowing I need to face whatever outcome is coming my way. Mom and Grandpa both stare at me with raised eyebrows, while Chris nods slowly, and Heather smiles softly. Isla still has her nose deep in a book, and Mason is looking between everyone with confusion etched on his little face.

The silence is unbearable.

“What’s gay?” Mason suddenly asks, breaking the silence.

The question lingers in the air for a moment until Heather bursts out laughing, and everyone follows suit.

But I can’t join them. Because something just opened up deep inside me, ready to be filled in with either regret and pain, or love and freedom.

And I can’t even move until I know which one it’s going to be.

Liam’s hand squeezes my leg, and I turn my head to look at him. His eyes sparkle with warmth and reassurance, reminding me to breathe.

“Theo,” Mom’s voice is gentle, drawing my attention back to her. “Why do you look so scared?”

“I… I didn’t know…” I start, unsure how to explain the thoughts swirling around in my head. The same ones I’ve had for so long, longer than I’ve even realized, that were created out of fear. They’ve played out every possible scenario for how this was going to go… and now that I’m actually in it, I have no idea what to do.

“Didn’t know if we’d still love you?” Grandpa finishes for me, tilting his head as he observes me.

I swallow hard and nod. “Mostly though… I was worried it would hurt the store, or any of you, if people knew…”

Mom scoffs. “Theodore MacKinnon, stop that.” She gives me a scolding look. “If anyone has an issue with you, they’re not welcome in our store.”

“Damn right,” Grandpa adds, raising his beer. Chris holds his up in agreement, and Heather just smiles.

But my gaze lingers on Heather, who has been unusually quiet.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” I ask.

“Oh,” she waves a hand in the air, “I already knew.”

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