Page 109 of Stealing Home

Anthony either doesn’t notice or doesn’t care because he just claps Cooper on the shoulder. “Cooper, right. The hockey player. And Sebastian here plays baseball. Isn’t that insane?”

“Your dad was Jake Miller,” Rick says, snapping his fingers and pointing at me. “I remember reading something about the Callahans adopting you.”

“Yep,” I say, because I’m not sure what else to say about it at this point. It’s always weird when someone points out a fact of your life like they expect it to be news to you, too. “We brought along some jerseys he signed. Figured it could be a good—”

“This guy,” Anthony says, pounding me on the back. “This guy knows what’s up. You any good at football, or is it just baseball for you? We’re going to play touch in a bit.”

“Little Mia finally did something right,” Rick says. “The bar was pretty low for you, though, man—at least you’re not a chick.”

He laughs, and Anthony laughs with him.

“What do you mean?” I say, fighting to keep my voice neutral as the back of my neck prickles. Cooper gives me a warning look, but I ignore him.

“She went through this phase a while back where she kept saying she was into girls,” Anthony says. “That she was queer, or whatever. I don’t know the specifics of that shit. Obviously she isn’t, if she’s with you.”

Anger moves through me with the force of a wave. If this is the sort of shit Mia gets when she comes home, it’s no wonder she doesn’t want to be here. “It wasn’t a phase.”

“Huh?”

“It wasn’t a phase,” I say, my voice slipping lower. “She’s bisexual. So yeah, she could be with a girl right now, or a person who identifies some other way. But she’s not. She’s with me, and I’m fucking grateful for it.”

“Jesus,” Rick says. “We were just joking around.”

“Cut it out.” I take a step closer, grateful that my bulk backs up my words. “It’s not funny. She’s your family, you should respect her, no matter who she’s dating.”

To his credit, Anthony looks chastised. “We’re just surprised,” he says. “She barely talks to us, and suddenly she’s here with you. Is it serious? You’re with my little sister?”

“Yes,” I say shortly. “She’s—”

“Sebastian,” Mia’s father says. “You grill at all, son?”

I pause, looking over my shoulder. “Pretty good at it, sir.”

“He’s being modest,” Cooper says. “He’s fantastic.”

“Come help me with this sausage,” he says. “Anthony, get some more burgers from the fridge, we’re nearly out already.”

I wonder if he heard us, and if so, what he thinks. I know Mia’s parents are aware she’s bisexual, but knowing it is different from accepting it, and I wouldn’t want to make things worse for her. Regardless, it can’t hurt to talk to him and keep up my good impression. We might end up being family one day, after all. I really hope so.

“Of course, sir.” I turn back to Mia’s brother and cousin. “She’s my girlfriend. It’s serious. Watch your mouths around me.”

I stare at them for a beat longer before walking over to the grill. Mia’s father—also named Anthony, although most people seem to be calling him Tony—is a big man, broad-shouldered and barrel-chested. I wonder if he played football in his day. He pokes at the sausage with a pair of tongs, glancing at me and grunting before concentrating on the grill again. I stand up a little straighter. Mia’s idiot brother was one thing. Tony di Angelo is a different beast entirely.

“So. You’re dating Mia, huh?” he says eventually. “She’s never brought home anyone.”

“Yes, sir,” I say.

He glances at me again. “Baseball player, you said?”

“Yes, sir.” I swallow, glancing at Cooper. He’s talking to a couple of Mia’s uncles; one of them laughs heartily at something he just said. “I’m on the McKee baseball team right now.”

“Going pro, like your old man?”

“Thinking about it,” I say, because there’s no way I’m going to get into the whole situation with a stranger, especially not with my brother four feet away.

“I’ve heard you mentioned often enough lately,” he says. “On the radio and everything. You’re more than thinking about it. That’s good. Good for Mia to be with someone like you, someone who can take care of her.”

“Of course.”

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