Page 20 of Romance Languages

Was there such a thing as a conversation hangover?

The next morning, I was regular hungover. That wasn’t in question. An anvil had lodged itself into my skull, clanging against the bone. I thought beer wasn’t supposed to give people hangovers because they drank it all the time.

Oh, how wrong I was.

But…was I so drunk that I imagined Seamus offering to deflower me?

That’s what friends are for.

Friends were for giving you a ride when your car broke down, not letting you ridethem.

My brain ached from the alcohol and from wondering if that had happened. Seamus must’ve been even drunker than me, which meant he probably shouldn’t have driven me home.

Oh God.If he’d offered to deflower me, that meant I’d told him I was a virgin.Oh God.He knew my deep, dark, terrible secret. He’d been supportive, but who the hell knew what he was thinking on the inside.

Speaking of mistakes, I’d forgotten to set my phone to silent last night. The ringing of an incoming call became a loud blare rattling my brain.

“Morning.” I put the phone on speaker because I didn’t have the energy to hold it up to my ear.

“Am I on speaker?” Grandma asked in her raspy voice.

“I’m getting ready for school,” I said as I shuffled to the kitchen.

“Are you okay? You sound sick.”

My grandmother didn’t need to know that I was hungover on a Wednesday…and everything else that had happened last night.

“I haven’t had my coffee yet.”

“Don’t drink too much coffee. It’ll either make you piss like a racehorse or give you the runs like you’ve never experienced.”

Grandma reveled in her role as saucy grandmother. She didn’t have a filter and had no interest in one.

“I’ll have an adequate amount.” I measured out slightly less coffee than I usually make in the morning. “What’s up?”

“Have you ever had to rent an outdoor tent for parties? I think I remember you doing that for school once.”

“Yeah. When I used to be the adviser for South Rock’s student council, we had to organize an end-of-year barbecue. I made us get a tent because the weather can be iffy in June.” I hit start on the coffeemaker with a satisfied smile. “And I was right. It saved the day.”

“Of course. You’re so smart and organized, Julian. You definitely didn’t get that from your mother. Or me, for that matter. Can you text me the company you used? I’ve been going back and forth with your mother about renting one for the party.”

“Why are you involved in planning? I thought it was something Mom, Dad, and Uncle Dale were doing for you and Grandpa—the kids throwing their parents a fiftieth wedding anniversary party.”

“Dale is on a Mediterranean cruise with his new boyfriend, your father is tied up with work. and your mom…well, I love her to pieces, but it’s a good thing she married your father.”

I bit back a guffaw. Grandma and Mom got along fine on the surface, but the tension between mother- and daughter-in-law never fully went away. It wasn’t the first dig on Mom that Grandma had made, and it wouldn’t be the last.

“Remember when Grandpa and I were moving into our condo, and you all came over to help us pack?”

I laughed to myself. Mom had sat on the couch and directed my siblings and me. Despite not having lifted or packed anything, she’d claimed she was exhausted by the end.

“I remember.”

“To make sure my anniversary party isn’t a belly flop, I’m helping her out with planning. Don’t be surprised if I reach out to you with more questions.”

“Grandma, I’m happy to help however I can. Seriously, call me with anything.”

My grandparents deserved a party for the ages. They were still healthy, together, and crazy about each other after half a century. Their unconditional love for all parts of me was a saving grace growing up, as I always felt like an outsider in my immediate family. I was the gay, nerdy fat kid in a family of straight athletes.

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