Page 119 of The Bro Pact
I nod quickly, my breathing becoming a little shallow as I let Ren tug me toward my own house.
My feet are heavy, like the driveway is made of quicksand.
Why did I want to do this so soon?
“Warren! Kyle!” my mom exclaims in an excited greeting, opening the front door before we even make it up the porch steps. “Come in, come in.The meatloaf’s almost ready.”
I give my mom a big hug on autopilot and stumble into the living room as if I’m a guest and I haven’t lived here my whole life.
“Warren, honey. Your dad and Valentina aren’t here yet if you want to give them a ring.”
“Sure thing, Mama Carol.”
Ren slips his phone out of his back pocket and plops onto the couch. I choose a seat across from him, and finally take a moment to appreciate just how good he looks tonight while he shoots off a quick text to his sister.
He’s wearing a tight black T-shirt, loose-fitting jeans that are ripped to hell, and his favorite black Converse. His thick hair is pulled up into a tight bun on top of his head, and holy shit does he look good.
“They’ll be here any minute!” Warren yells into the kitchen, suddenly breaking me out of my perusal.
He gives me a knowing grin as my mom shouts her thanks back.
Soon enough, Warren’s dad and sister arrive, and Nelson comes downstairs.
We all take a seat, and my mom sets the food on the table.
“Thank you everyone for being here tonight. It’s great to have us all under one roof again, enjoying a meal together. So, thank you.”
“Cheers, Carol.” My dad holds his wine glass up, followed by Mom and Mr. Moretti.
Quiet conversations fill the table as Nelson tries to chat up Val, and my dad attempts to talk business with Mr. Moretti.
I nudge Ren’s leg because we need to tell everyone before dinner goes on too long and things get weird.
“Kyle and I are dating. He’s moving in with me,” Ren blurts out as my mom cuts the last piece of meatloaf.
Goddammit, Ren.
That is not how you were supposed to do that!
I take a deep breath, preparing for the aftermath of that poor delivery.
“You . . .I’m sorry?” Mom says, tilting her head like she’s not exactly sure if she heard him correctly.
“Warren’s my boyfriend now, Mom. I love him.”
My mom gasps, setting the knife down and clutching her heart. “Oh, honey.”
Moisture starts to gather in her eyes, but Ithinkthey’re happy tears.
I glance over at Val, and she nods, smiling encouragingly while she dishes up a slice of meatloaf onto her plate. She’s always been on our side, rooting for us in everything we’ve done, and this is no different.
Warren slips his hand under the table, squeezing my thigh reassuringly.
“You both look so happy, and that makesmehappy,” she says with a sniffle, and I release a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “I suppose it’s not too surprising, really. You two have such chemistry and a rich history.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I mumble, a little choked up by her easy acceptance.
“It would never matter to me or your father that you’re gay. Right, Randall?”
