Page 58 of Forever Midnight

“Are you saying you and Dad talked about me being gay?”

“Yes. Honestly, we talked about Pilar too. Her female friendships were almost always more intense than a normal friendship would be.”

“I actually have no idea. She hasn’t said anything to me.”

“I wouldn’t ask you to confirm her status anyway. That’s up to everyone when they feel comfortable, but I always hoped we’d created an environment at home where that would be possible.”

“You and Dad are great, Ma. It’s more about external pressure. Remember when you guys told us we always needed to be discreet? You know how things have been. Any chance they get to throw mud at Dad, they do. I just wanted to avoid that.”

“Discreet is one thing. Attracting media through reckless acts is what we meant. You can’t live in hiding at the cost of your happiness.”

“I haven’t. Not really. I’ve never met anyone worth coming out for.”

“Until now?” she asks, her smile growing.

“Until now,” I admit. “He’s really great, and he would have come along today, but I wasn’t ready and he really does have work to do.” Saving my family, but I keep that part to myself. “You’re sure Dad would be cool with it?”

“I’m positive. Just last night we talked about who you might show up with today and were both accepting of whoever it was. You matter more than any jerks out there. Your dad can handle it.”

“Yeah.”

“It’s not like it’s a sex scandal,” she adds, laughing, and turning my stomach at the same time.

“Right.”

After our meals arrive, I bravely tackle the next topic. “I think I’m gonna spend more time at his place.”

“You don’t think moving in is too soon?”

“Not formally moving in. Just hanging out there. He’s got a nice place. A condo. And all his brothers live in the same building.”

“Oh, so he’s close to his family?”

“Yeah. His parents are gone though.” I think. We’ve never talked about it.

“Well, it’s nice that he has his brothers. What’s his name?”

“Midnight.”

“Midnight?”

I chuckle. “It’s Leander, but he goes by his nickname. He’s a night owl.”

“Ah. Okay. Good family?”

“No idea. They aren’t part of New Onyx society.”

“Well, if he’s nice to you that’s all that matters to me. As long as he’s not a serial killer or something.” She laughs again at her own joke.

“Ha ha, nope. Not a serial killer.” I shove a piece of bacon in my mouth to avoid saying more.

An hour later, when I step into my family home, that strange sense of disconnection hits me again. This doesn’t feel like home anymore.

“I’m gonna pack a few things and head back over to Midnight’s.”

Mom nods, smiling. “Thank you for coming to brunch. I hope you won’t forget about your poor mom.”

“Trust me, I think about you all the time.”

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