Page 10 of Now and Forever

I knew it. I knew I’d mess it all up.

All he’d wanted was for them to like him. And if he was being truthful with himself, to reach the point someday where hedidwant to call Debbie mom. To have a mom again, one who cared about him the way his real mother had up until the day she’d died.

And now that will never happen.

Chapter Three

Malcolm’s dad hadn’t moved an inch in the wake of Seth’s abrupt departure. He stood next to the grill, spatula in one hand and beer in the other, with a slack jaw and creased brow. After blinking a few times, he regarded Malcolm.

“I’m confused. What just happened?”

Malcolm’s mom sighed. “I’ll explain it to you later, Harry. Wrap up those steaks and put them away before the bugs get to them.”

“Mom, that’s not necessary.”

“Yeah. Listen to your son, Deb. That’s not necessary. I’m starving.”

She placed her hands on her hips. “Harry. Make a sandwich. Have another beer. We can save these for tomorrow when everything’s calmed down.”

His dad rolled his eyes. “I don’t understand what’s going on.” He regarded Malcolm with a frown. “Did your boyfriend just call you Daddy?”

Malcolm groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. He’d been mulling over how he’d respond to them if this very scenario ever happened, but he hadn’t expected it to occur less than ten minutes after they’d arrived. At the same time, he had to take full responsibility. It wasn’t on Seth. He’d done nothing but encourage Seth to be his boy and to call him Daddy. He and Everett had kept their relationship hidden, but that had been different. The game of pretending in front of others, of having a juicy secret between them, had always been a thrill for Everett. Seth wasn’t built that way.

“Yeah, Dad. He did.”

He turned up his palms in seeming puzzlement. “Why?”

“For heaven’s sake, Harry. I told you I’d explain everything later. But right now, you need to have something to eat so you can take your pills, and me and Malcolm need to make sure poor Seth is okay.”

Malcolm couldn’t grasp why his mother was taking charge over the Daddy/boy reveal fallout. Maybeheneeded another beer too.

His dad shook his head. “Okay. But I’m still lost.”

Malcolm scrubbed his face with both hands. The effects of the long drive were beginning to take their toll and he still needed to verify Seth was okay. He hoped like hell Seth wouldn’t want to leave.

“Malcolm, hadn’t you better check on Seth? He must be so embarrassed, poor thing.”

He regarded his mother as if she were an alien. He was beginning to understand how his dad felt. “Of course. I was just about to do that after I verifiedyouweren’t upset. But I guess I shouldn’t worry?” He arched his eyebrows.

She sighed and patted his arm. “Go on, honey. We can talk after you’ve convinced him to come back inside.”

“Mom…” Malcolm winced. “There’s a chance he’ll refuse.”

“Well, I guess you’d better get out there and talk him into it then. Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do as his Daddy? You know…” She fluttered her hands. “Make him behave?”

“Jesus. This isn’t happening,” he muttered under his breath. “All right, I’ll figure something out. I’m guessing he’s in the truck, but don’t come outside while we’re talking. Remember when I first told you about him? That’s he’s a sensitive soul?”

She frowned “Yes dear, I remember. You always act as though I’m going to attack him or something.”

Malcolm held in a growl. “Mom, just let me handle this, okay?”

She shrugged. “Fine. Then go handle it. I don’t know why you’re still standing here.”

Malcolm let out an aggravated sigh then quickly made his way around the outside of the house and through the side gate. Already he could spot Seth in the passenger seat of the SUV. Somehow, he’d hoped that Seth might be leaning against the vehicle or pacing outside instead. The closed door seemed like a clearer declaration that Seth wanted to escape.

Malcolm tapped on the window, and noted that Seth didn’t seem surprised, hadn’t jumped or been startled. He hated his boy’s defeated posture. Since the keys weren’t in the ignition, Seth couldn’t roll down the window. However, when Malcolm tried to open the door, he found it was locked.

This is my fault.

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