Page 113 of Bad Boy
Everyone’s eyes turn to Linc, waiting. Sweat forms on his upper lip, and he adjusts his tie, tugging at his collar. His knee starts bouncing like a jackhammer again, vibrating my arm.
Diana doesn’t give up. “Don’t be disrespectful—”
“I’m gay!” he shouts.
Shit.
He did itagain. Just blurting out his sexuality like that.
The table pauses, and all utensils cease their movements as the reality of the situation settles around us.
Robert laughs, actually fucking laughs. If he wasn’t Lincoln’s father, he’d be face first in his risotto. “No, no. That’s not possible. You must just be confused. Going through a phase.”
“These types of things will work themselves out,” his mom adds with an awkward little chuckle, glancing at her best friend, like she’s embarrassed by her son.
Fuck that.
Fuckallof that.
I push away from the table, my heavy chair scraping against the hardwood. “Don’t tell him he’s confused, and definitely do not tell him it’s a phase.He’s my boyfriend.” I pin my disgusted glare on Robert.
Kendra gasps, and Lincoln’s parents cease their awkwardly rude laughter. Sean has a blank face, and Grady and Sierra’s matching amber eyes dart around the table nervously.
Robert’s shock morphs into a Grinch-like smile. All conniving teeth and greedy eyes.
He changes his tune quickly, just like he did when he learned I was Richard’s grandson and not an intruder.
“Of course, it’s not a phase. Excuse me for that.”
It’s close to an apology but still fake as fuck.
“You’re only saying that because you’ve been on Gramps’s dick for years. Trying to get your grubby hands onmyfamily’s profits.”
He sputters, his mouth gaping like a fish. “That’s. . . I’m not. . .”
Kendra speaks up then, her dark eyes warm and kind. “I can see the spark, and I’m happy for you boys.”
Sean clears his throat. I can tell he’s a little uncomfortable by the news, but there’s nothing but respect in his hazel eyes. “Yes. Robert, you need to back off and let the boys breathe. Be themselves. There’s no need to pressure them about the future right now. And Sierra, honey, I need you to know something. Your mother and I only agreed to this courtship because we truly believed you and Lincoln had feelings beyond friendship for each other. We didn’t. . . We didn’t know your orientation, Lincoln. And I apologize. And I’ll apologize for my friend because we all know he won’t.”
Look at Sean. Taking one for the team.
“Thank you,” I reply, giving him a tight nod. He’s never done anything to wrong me. Or Kendra. I won’t disrespect them.
Lincoln pulls from my strength and stands next to me, linking his fingers with mine. “We’re in love,” he declares boldly, making me feel proud of how far he’s come from the shy, stumbling boy I first met who was so far in the closet he couldn’t see the light of day. “And I won’t let any of you tell me who I can be with.”
“For how long? How long have you been together?” Diana asks quietly.
“Since the beginning,” we say in unison, and I squeeze his hand. It’s true. We’ve been boyfriends since I gave Linc his first kiss in the arcade photo booth. We just didn’t see it yet.
“Well. I’m not against homosexuals or anything,” Diana says, smoothing down the sleeves of her crisp white blouse, starched to hell.
I snort. “Great. Glad we cleared that up. Maybe we can work on more progress at a later date. This therapy session is over.” I turn to our younger friends.
“Twins. Wanna come to my house? Play the newCall of Duty?”
“S-sure,” they both stutter, rising from their chairs and joining us on our side of the table.
“Listen up. This is the future of your companies. The future of Keller Industries. Right here. Right now. Standing before you. Robert, I can see the wheels turning, and I know what a conniving snake like you is thinking—you now have an alliance with Keller Industries. And maybe you’re right. Maybe Linc and I will get married one day and merge the companies. But the point is—this isourlife, not yours. You can’t control your sonsoryour daughter.” I look at each of them in turn. “This is twenty-twenty-two people. Let’s get with it, for fuck’s sake.”
