Page 103 of I Blame the Club

Stella sighs, her glistening eyes reflecting all the emotions I refuse to express myself, “Do you think Jonathan would be different? If mom was still alive?”

I swallow thickly, thinking about the last time our father looked truly happy.

“I don’t know, Stel. And I’m afraid we never will.”

Nico

When I came out as gay, do you know what my mom said?

Love is love, Nico. It doesn’t matter who the love is for.

There wasn’t a moment of hesitation. There wasn’t a single blink of surprise. It was simply a moment full of acceptance, support, and love.

When I told her my sob story of falling in love, do you know what my mom said?

“You’re a stupid boy, Nico.” She slaps my head, giving me a glare that is neither acceptive nor supportive.

My dad hums in agreement, his comforting hand leaving mine, “You can’t expect to be lucky enough to fall in love and keep it. When you find someone worth fighting for, that’s when the real challenge begins. You don’t just turn and run like a fool.”

And to think I drove all this way for some familial love.

My jaw drops, “You’re supposed to be on my side! Team Montez till the end.”

My mother clucks her tongue, stealing a cookie from the plate in front of me, “How can we be Team Montez when you are clearly in the wrong?”

Well then.

Shaking my head, I’m about to launch into another indignant rant when my father stands up and takes my mom’s hand. I watch, stupefied, as he pulls her into his arms and they start swaying together in the middle of our crowded living room.

Planting a kiss on his lips, my mom tosses me a knowing smile over her shoulder.

“You can’t be in love if you refuse to let your heart be taken by someone else. It doesn't work that way.”

She lets out a laugh as her husband twirls her, their twenty-plus years of marriage never once diminishing the affection they have for one another.

If my parents weren’t so damn cute, this would be sickening to watch.

“Your mother was a difficult one to catch. I had to surrender both my dignity and pride to ask for her hand in marriage.” My dad grins when he gets a whack on the shoulder, “But it was worth it. The biggest risk leads to the biggest reward.”

I sigh, leaning back against the couch with tired eyes, “What type of reward could be worth the humiliation of rejection?”

She scoffs, “Have we taught you nothing?”

“Is that a rhetorical question?”

Carlos smirks, giving his wife a pat on the ass before turning his attention back to me, “It’s only a rhetorical question if you don't know the answer.”

Coming home was a terrible idea.

I fling myself down on the couch, giving them both the evil eye, “You are no help whatsoever.”

My mom sighs, untangling herself from my dad and returning to my side. The couch dips as she sits down next to me, her soothing fingers running through my hair.

“The answer is love, Nico. To love and to be loved is the greatest reward a person can receive.”

I frown, wrapping my arms around her waist, “But how do you know if they love you back?”

She clucks her tongue, “You don’t. That’s why it’s a risk.”

---