Page 61 of Havoc
Her words sank in for Remy immediately, and he wasn’t surprised. He’d learned that there were often deep-seated reasons for someone’s dislike of a particular group of people, whether it be something that made them take a look at themselves or caused them to feel things they didn’t like.
“Wait, Mama. Are you saying Dad used to do the bending?”
Silvia took a bite of her potatoes and shook her head. “No,” she answered when she swallowed. “I’m saying he used to be the one getting bent.”
Remy watched Lawrence’s eyes widen as he sat his fork down. “Why am I just now finding out about this?”
“I was hoping your father would tell you, but it seems he’s more inclined to pretend like that part of his life, of who he is, neverhappened, and no, I’m not telling his business willy-nilly. Most of the family knows. It isn't that well-kept of a secret.”
“It is because I didn’t know. Was this before or after the two of you were married?”
“Both. I didn’t know about it until I caught him during our marriage. Then he broke down and told me everything. I wanted to be mad, but all I felt was pity and sadness. He didn’t feel like he could be who he wanted.”
“He’s such a hypocrite. Giving me a hard time when this entire time he wanted a hard time given to him,” Lawrence responded.
Remy snorted. “Really, baby?”
“Oh my gosh! That whole time he was staring at you, I thought he was being judgy, but what if he was picturing you bending him over and—”
Remy reached over and grabbed Lawrence’s chin, silencing him with a kiss before he could finish that thought. Heneverwanted to think about what his boyfriend was about to say. He didn’t need the mental image.
“Stop talking,” Remy stated against his lips.
“I’m only saying,” Lawrence started pulling away, and Remy raised a brow. “Fine,” Lawrence acquiesced.
Silvia shook her head with a laugh. “This conversation took a turn.”
Remy couldn’t have agreed more, and if he’d allowed Lawrence’s imagination to continue to run wild, there was no telling where it would have ended up.
The topic shifted to Silvia telling Remy stories of Lawrence growing up for the rest of dinner to his enjoyment and his boyfriend’s dismay.
24
Remy followed Lawrence through the front door of Paetyn and Cruz’s house. His boyfriend was carrying a container of fried plantains he insisted on Remy making, and Remy knew he likely wouldn’t share with the rest of them. They walked into the kitchen, greeting everyone in attendance, and Remy sat the bonbon siwo that Lawrence helped him make on the counter. They’d chosen dessert duty.
“Happy Thanksgiving,” Lawrence stated as he entered the living room.
Remy looked over to see who he was talking to. Lena and Ancel sat on one couch, and who he assumed were Erin’s grandmother and father sat on another. Chayse sat on her mother, Talia’s, lap as the older woman sat in an armchair. Caroline sat in the other armchair, Emberly beside her on the floor.
“Hey, Remy, you want a drink?” Erin asked.
“I’m not going to turn down a drink,” he responded.
“Can I get you a drink, Bronson?” Alijah asked.
“No, precious. Thank you,” Bronson, Kieran’s grandfather, replied.
Remy took the drink Erin offered him with a thank you before she walked off to finish arranging the food. He knew after dinner, and most people trickled out, they’d have more drinks and play some games, and it would turn into more of a Friendsgiving.
It wasn’t long before Erin called them to dinner, and they went through and made their plates. She introduced him to her father and grandmother, and as they sat at one of the two tables, Remy listened to the conversations around him.
There was a lot of talk about getting up early and shopping the sales the following day. He’d never understand why people insisted on fighting those crowds for sales that, in his opinion, weren’t worth it. But listening to Lawrence speak about it, he seemed excited to go. So, if he wanted Remy to go with him, he would.
As Remy spoke to Lena, he saw Lawrence’s fork pillaging some sweet potatoes from his plate. He looked over to see his boyfriend putting the fork into his mouth.
“You know there are more in the kitchen, right?’ Remy teased.
“Yes, but why go that far when there are plenty I can eat on your plate?” Lawrence countered after swallowing.
