Page 84 of Stick By Me

I mumbled, “Jesus fuck.” I ripped my phone out of my pocket and texted Remy.

Leo

Axel is here with my parents. It’s bad. Come now.

Remy

What? I thought he went to go buy beer? God damn it. Be right there.

Leo

Door is open. Walk in.

Inside a growl, Dad said, “Stop with the theatrics, Axel.” Heglared at him, then turned his back on him with a huff, rubbing his forehead. “Jesus H Christ.”

I rushed to Axel and planted my hand on his shoulder. “Hey, settle down, they’re just shocked. Give them a minute.” My heart splintered as I looked into my baby brother’s deep blue eyes, glistening in the low light.

“They never had a problem with me being gay. Why are they saying these things, Leo?” He wrinkled his brows. “I thought, I thought they always supported me.”

“We do, honey.” Mom wove her way to us and wrapped an around Axel’s waist. “It’s like Leo said, we’re shocked. It’s a lot to take in. We had…” She snuck a glance at me, then dipped her head.

“Hopes and dreams for Leo that you never had for me?” Axel clenched his jaw. “Because I’m gay and I can’t give you what he could?”

Dad stomped toward the hallway leading into his study. “I need a moment.”

“I’m sorry, honey, but you have to look at it from our perspective.” She brushed her fingers up and down his arm, her forehead creased, her eyes glossy. “We love you just the same. We’ve always loved you. Youknowthat.”

Axel peeked at her, then sniffled and rubbed his nose. “I don’t know what to say.” He slumped his shoulders.

Remy burst through the front door and jogged through the house into the family room. “Axel?” He glanced at me as I stepped aside.

Axel rushed into Remy’s arms. “Hold me.”

Hooking his arms around Axel’s torso, Remy held the back of Axel’s black hair and stared at me. “What the hell happened?”

“I’m sorry, Mom, but yeah, you have two sons in gay relationships. I don’t see that changing any time soon. I’m totally, head over heels in love with Archer, and he feels the same for me.” I faced her and grabbed both her hands.

She nodded, wetness filling her eyes. “I love you, Leo, andnothing will ever change that.” She brushed a lock of my hair out of my eyes, then shaking my hands between us, said, “Nothing.”

I wrapped her small frame up in a tight embrace, then kissed her cheek as I released her.

“You tell Archer if he needs anything, anything at all, just let us know. And tell him we’ll be sending healing thoughts to his father.” She swiped at her eye and sniffled. “And bring him back here for dinner when you can, so you can formally introduce him to us as your boyfriend.”

Axel freed Remy and slowly turned around, his gaze affixed to me. “Leo, I understand now.” He flashed his gaze at Mom, then wrapped his hands together. “Mom, I’m sorry?—”

“Honey, I love you.” She hugged him close, and kissed the side of his hair. “I’msorry. There’s nothing for you to be sorry about.” As she let him go, she squeezed his biceps.

Axel nodded. “What about Dad?”

Sliding my gaze to Remy, I mouthed,tell you later. There’d be a lot for all of us to unpack after this conversation tonight.

With a hard swallow, Remy ticked his head.

“What about me?” Dad strode into the room, his bourbon glass empty in his hand.

“Well, you’ll support us, too, right?” Axel edged into Remy’s side. “You never had a problem with me being gay, right?”

“I um…” Dad’s gaze flicked to each of us, then he hung his head. “Truth is, it was hard for me to accept.” He stepped to Axel. “But I did.” He placed his hand between Axel’s shoulder blades. “I love you and always will.” His gaze found mine. “That goes for you, too, Leo.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry, Axel. I never wanted you to know how hard it was for me at first.”

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