Page 94 of The Step Dare

He sniffs and wipes his eyes with the back of his hands. It’s killing me not to go to him, not to take him in my arms, but he deserves this time with his mom. Also, I’m not sure how to react around our parents, and I forgot to tell Taylor they know about us.

“Thanks, Mom.”

Nicole takes his hand, and the two of them sit on the edge of the bed. “What happened?” she asks.

“When I went to get breakfast, I saw him. I tried to think of any way I could to get him to leave. We ended up at a diner not far from here, and he started in with his typical lies, making himself seem like the one who was mistreated. And I just…I don’t know. Today isn’t the day to talk about him. It’s supposed to be your and Keith’s day.”

I shuffle on my feet, trying to keep myself steady.

“Would you like me to leave?” Dad asks. “If you’d like a moment with your mom, I can do that, Taylor, but if you’re really just concerned about us, your mother and I agree that you won’t ruin this day. You and Brenner are the most important thing to both of us.”

My boyfriend’s gaze snags on my dad’s and doesn’t let go. I can see the emotion in his stare, see a story in his eyes I can’t read, but I think he’s coming to a realization.

“You don’t have to go,” Taylor tells him, then glances at me. “We’re family. And thank you for that. Chris…we were never the most important thing to him.”

Dad walks over and kneels in front of Taylor. “That’s his loss. I know I’m not your father, and I would never try to be something you don’t want me to be, but youarefamily to me. You’re the son of the woman I love. You’ve always been there when Brenner needs you. You’ve been his best friend, and now you’re the man my son is in love with. He couldn’t have chosen abetter partner, and Nicole couldn’t have had a better son. You’ll always be important to me, and I’ll always be here for you.”

I’m caught between wanting to hug my dad for saying exactly what I know Taylor needs to hear and wanting to kill him. Taylor’s eyes go wide, shooting back and forth from Dad to Nicole to me.

“Sorry. They know about us. I was losing it a little, and it just came out.”

“In love with?” Taylor asks, his thoughts clearly snagging on that part.

“Surprise.” I give him a large grin. “Thanks for that, by the way, Dad. I haven’t told him yet.”

My dad pushes to his feet and joins me again. “Oops. Sorry.” He gives an honest bashful look.

“I feel like a million things are going on that I need to address, but first…” Taylor turns to his mom. “You’re okay with it? Me and Bren? We didn’t mean for it to happen. We were going to tell you, but we didn’t want to risk causing problems before the wedding. But I…” His voice goes softer, probably because the first time we’re saying or hearing this from each other is in a room with our parents. “I love him too. It took seeing the Piece of Shit again to realize just how much.”

My body feels all hyped up, like there is too much pleasure pinging around inside me and I might combust from it. Taylor loves me too. My first and forever boyfriend is my best friend, and we’re totally in love with each other.

“Oh, Taylor,” Nic says. “Of course I’m okay with it. When you found out about me and Keith, you said you wanted me happy, and that’s all I want for you too. Brenner is perfect for you, and honestly, I wonder how I never saw it before, and maybe started wondering about the two of you recently.”

He chuckles. “We wonder how we never saw it before either.”

“I guess everything happens when it’s supposed to.” Dad puts an arm around me, just as Nicole pulls Taylor into a hug. She says something quietly in his ear, he nods, and a moment later, she’s signaling for us to walk over to them.

And then we’re suddenly one huge four-person hug that would be cheesy if I saw it happening to anyone else. But for us, in this moment, it’s perfect. We’ve built a family together, and while it might not be a traditional family, for us, everything is right.

We sit down and spend some time talking. Taylor tells us the rest of what happened with Chris. I feel so much pride in Taylor for standing up for himself, for telling his dad how he feels, for truly seeing his dad for who he is and knowing that he deserves better.

A few minutes later, Dad says, “Why don’t you boys take some time together before we meet in the groom suite to get ready.”

“Oh shit. There’s a wedding today,” spills from my lips. I got so sidetracked, I forgot.

“Yes, there is.” Nicole beams at my dad, and he gives her the same look in return.

“Okay.” Taylor stands. “Thank you both for today.” He gives my dad his attention. “Thanks for everything and for loving my mom the way she deserves.”

“Always.” Dad hugs him. “And I meant what I said earlier. I know I’m not your father. I don’t want to overstep, but I can be that for you, if you ever want.”

“I already do,” Taylor replies.

Dad gives him a nod, and then I take my boyfriend’s hand, lacing our fingers together, and lead him to the door. We’re quiet on the way to our room, but the second we’re inside, we’re in each other’s arms. “I was so fucking worried about you.”

“I’m sorry. I wish I had my phone on me. I just didn’t know what to do. I wanted to protect Mom and Keith’s day.”

“I know…and I guess we were worried about nothing when it comes to our parents. They definitely seem okay with the fact that you’re in love with me,” I tease.

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