Page 82 of Stick By Me

I had to be careful here. “Because…Because you’rethe gay son.You took that role in our family, and I didn’t want to upset the balance.” I winced. That didn’t come out right, though it was the truth.

“What the hell does that mean? A family’s not allowed more than one queer?” He lifted his brows.

“Axel.” Remy grabbed his arm and turned Axel to face him. “Leo has his reasons. It’s not the same for everyone. How about we leave it at that?”

Axel huffed and walked off toward the patio doors, then twisted around. “Yeah, okay. I get maybe I don’t understand what it’s like to be bisexual and all that shit. I get maybe it’s different and we all have our own journey to acceptance. But I would have supported you from the very beginning. I hope you’ll let me support you now.”

My eyes burned and I stepped to him. “Thank you, Axel. It means a lot to me.” I wrapped him up in a warm embrace.

He freed me and his gaze locked to mine. “Is one of you on PrEP?”

“Jesus, Axel.” With a snort, Remy shook his head.

“No, not yet anyways. We’re both negative.” My lips quirked. It figured he’d go there. He was the anti-HIV champion.

“Get on it. Shit happens. I’m not saying Archer’s going to do something stupid, but still.” His eyes rounded. “The fucker was hooking up with Milo.” He held the back of his hand over his mouth and barked out a laugh. “Oh my God, you’re Milo’s sloppy seconds.”

“Do you have to put it that way?” I rubbed my forehead. I’d finally gotten over the fact that Milo had Archer first.

“This is a lot to take in. I think I need a beer.” Axel strode into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator door. “Any other takers?”

“No, thanks. I have to go see Mom and Dad and tell them next.” I drew a deep inhale. Shit, I still hadn’t told him about leaving. “And uh, I’m leaving tomorrow to go with Archer up to Minnesota. His dad had a heart attack, and he needs me.”

Axel snicked a beer can open, sipped it, then focused on me from across the kitchen island. “So, you’re coming out to all of us because you have to be a good boyfriend and support your man.” He ticked a brow.

“Yeah, pretty much.” I rubbed an aching muscle in my neck. It was proving to be a long ass day. “I was going to come out to you all anyways. This just sped up the process.”

“Okay, I get you.” Axel nodded. “Let me come with you to Mom and Dad’s. I want to be there for you.”

“No.” I held up my hands to him. That’s all I needed was for Dad to be an ass and burst Axel’s bubble.

“No? Why the fuck not?” He tilted his head.

With a soft chuckle, I said, “Because I don’t need you. You know how they are. It won’t be a problem.” I’d better get out of here now, before Axel got insistent. I snatched my car keys off the dinette. “Anyways, I’m going to head up.” Even though I wasn’t due to see them for another hour. But I’d find something to do on the way up. Maybe stop and get Mom some flowers to soften the blow.

With a huff, Axel stepped to me and gave me a quick hug. “Okay, but know that I love you. Always have, but maybe even more now.” He snickered and freed me.

“Yeah, love you, too, bro.” I patted his shoulder, my gaze finding Remy’s. “Thanks, Remy.”

Remy nodded. “Go take care of shit. We’ll be here if you need anything.” He waved at me.

Waving behind me, I headed out the door. All I wanted was to get this over with, so I could go back to Archer.

As my hearttried to pound out of my chest, I stopped my car in the driveway of my parents’ home and grabbed the bouquet of flowers I’d picked up, an all-white mix. Mom would love them. I climbed out of my car and stepped up the walkway, droplets of rain sprinkling my hair. The rain had started.

The door opened and Mom stood there in a red sweater and jeans. “Aw…did you bring flowers?” With a wide grin, she held out her hands.

Giving her the flowers, I said, “Yeah, I figured white would go with all your Christmas decorations.” I hugged her, then followed her inside. All I had to do was get through this, then I could run back to Archer.

“This must be big if you’re bringing flowers.” Mom glanced behind herself at me, then winked.

Fuck yeah, it was big. I stuffed my hands into the front pockets of my jeans.

Dad rose up from the couch, wearing a flannel shirt and loose jeans, and paused the football game. “Hey, Leo.” He walked to me and gave me a warm hug. “Nice to see you.” He held out his hand toward the couch. “Have a seat. Want a drink? Beer, bourbon? Whatever you like.”

“No, I’m okay.” I worried the bottom of my hair by my nape, my gut clenching. Maybe it would be better for Dad if he had adrink? “On second thought, why don’t you pour us both a bourbon?”

Mom set the flowers in a vase with water, then beamed at me. “Oh, and I’ll grab a glass of wine.”

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