Page 45 of The Jock
Colby grimaced and shoved Nash off of him. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”
“I like it here.”
Colby narrowed his gaze. “You have a deadline, don’t you?” The look on Nash’s face told him all he needed to know. “Get home and get your shit done or I won’t let you come to fire night this weekend.”
“That’s this weekend?”
“Sure is.”
Nash glared at Colby before letting out a long, suffering sigh. “Fine,” he said, pulling his arm off of Colby. “I guess I’ll go home and chase that deadline.”
“That’s a good boy.”
“Are you going to bring Milo to fire night?”
“I will if he’s not working. If he wants to come.” Would Milo want to come? Was that something he’d enjoy? Colby didn’t know whether to invite him as a friend, or as something more. Someone more. Hell, he still hadn’t told his dad or his older brother that he was seeing anyone.
That was how he found himself sending a text to the family chat when he was done work, asking Jonah to meet him at the diner. Logically, he knew he could invite Milo as a friend, but that was too far from the truth to not be a lie. And he didn’t want to box Milo into a specific role around his family. They hadn’t put a name to what they were doing, and they might never get that far. Milo might wake up tomorrow and decide to ghost him for all he knew, but telling his family was the right thing to do.
Growing up with brothers who were gay had cured Colby of any fear he might have about how his family would react. They’d be supportive and welcoming and loving, like they were when Taylor came out. And Jonah. And the various people in their social circles who were part of the LGBTQIA family.
Knowing his family would accept him didn’t stop the nerves from making his palms sweat or his leg from bouncing as he sat at the table and waited for Jonah.
“You okay, kid?” His dad dropped into the seat across from him.
“I’m good.”
His dad shot him a skeptical look. “You’re so good you called a family meeting.” His dad’s foot nudged his under the table. A subtle jolt, but a jolt nonetheless and Colby met his dad’s questioning gaze.
He offered a half smile. It felt genuine enough, but it must not have been because his dad folded his arms on the table and leaned closer. “You look about seven different shades of green, Colby. You’re not sick or anything?”
“God, no. Jesus, Dad.” Colby wiped his hand down his face. “Now I feel all dramatic. No, I’m not sick. I’m not unemployed. I’m not homeless. I’m not moving to Mars. When Jonah and Taylor get here, I’ll fill you all in at once. I don’t want to explain it ten times.”
Out of nowhere, Taylor fell into the seat next to Colby, smugness radiating off him. Colby chanced a look at him. He was wearing a hot pink, skintight shirt, with the diner’s apron over top, gold hoop earrings and a smattering of makeup.
“You look cute,” Colby told him, making his cheeks turn almost the same color as his shirt.
“I do not look cute. I look hot.”
“You’re my brother. Cute is as good as you’re getting out of me.”
“What about fabulous?”
Colby nodded. “Fabulous, Taylor. You look fabulous.”
“Thank you. Ah, there’s Jonah.”
Jonah took the spot next to their dad. “I came as soon as I could get away. Is everything okay?” Jonah gave Colby a worried look.
It made Colby ache in an indescribable way to see his family fret over him like that.
“I promise there’s no need to panic, Jonah.” Colby tried to soothe his rather ruffled older brother, but clearly Jonah had assumed the same doomsday possibilities as their dad.
“Then why the big text about needing to tell us something right away? Shit like that is never good news.” Jonah raked a hand through his hair.
Colby could see Jonah was on the verge of an absolute breakdown and their dad didn’t look reassured either.
“Holy shit, Jonah. I’m bisexual, not dying.”
