Page 109 of Courageous Hearts

“And before that, when I talked to Grant over the phone, I was a mess,” they go on. “My track record sucks. What’s gonna happen this time, Jamie?”

My lips twitch, but I squeeze Bo’s hand encouragingly. “Nothing bad, I promise.”

“You better be right,” Bo says, although they seem a little calmer now, not fussing quite so much. “I talked to my aunt yesterday.”

“Yeah?” I ask, reclaiming my hand to turn down the street that leads to my mom’s.

“She said she spoke to my father.”

“What about?” I ask, looking over when it’s safe to do so. Bo is staring out the window, expression somber.

“Apparently, he has COPD,” Bo says at last.

I rack my brain. “Is that a lung condition?”

Bo nods, glancing at me. “Yeah. It’s a chronic disease. Smokin’ is a major risk factor. And my dad, he always was a smoker. I’m not sure even this will make him stop.”

I internalize that news as I slow the car down, taking the turn into my mom’s driveway. I park before giving Bo my full attention. “How do you feel about that?”

Bo sighs. “I’m not glad he’s sick, but…it doesn’t change anythin’. It’s not like I’m gonna suddenly want him in my life again.”

“Hey,” I say quietly, waiting for Bo to look my way. When they do, I run my fingers over their jawline, trying to ease some of the tension there. “That doesn’t make you a bad person.”

They puff out a breath. “Realistically, I know that,” they say, even though it’s clear they’re still struggling with the information. “I guess there’s just a part of me that wishes things could be different. With my dad and with Diesel. But havin’ an illness doesn’t make my dad a good person. And havin’ a queer sibling doesn’t make Diesel not homophobic anymore.”

“You’re right. It doesn’t.”

Bo shakes their head, as if dispelling the thoughts. “But enough about that. We should head inside.”

“My family won’t mind if we’re a few minutes late,” I tell them, stroking their cheek. Bo leans into the touch, their body losing some of its tension. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

They nod slightly. “Yeah.”

“For what it’s worth, you’re welcome to Grant. He’s a bit blunt at times, and his apologies suck, but he’s a good brother.”

Bo huffs a laugh.

“And Sophia is lovely,” I add. “She’s probably going to read your aura, though. Fair warning.”

“My aura?”

“And my mom already adores you, so watch out,” I tease. “She’ll have you dancing before the afternoon is over.”

“Promise?” Bo asks hopefully.

I nod. “They’re a wonderful nuisance.”

Bo sighs, nodding. “Let’s do it.”

Grinning, I meet Bo around the hood of the car, and the pair of us walk up to the front door. I knock before entering, and then I grab Bo’s hand. Grant and Sophia are already here, and the sound of their chatter drifts down the hall from the kitchen.

When Bo and I round the corner where everyone is congregated, there’s a brief pause, and then my mom is pushing out of her seat.

“Jameson,” she says happily, a beaming smile on her face as she sweeps me into a hug. She smells of rosemary and oregano.

“Hey, Mom.”

After squeezing me tight, she turns to Bo. “Can I hug you, dear?”

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