Page 191 of The Waiting Game

They were halfway to the park when Felix spotted a couple coming down the sidewalk. His heart rate spiked when they were close enough for him to recognize.

Felix had known it was inevitable that he’d run into his parents. He just hadn’t known when. Today was his lucky day.

“Incoming,” Felix muttered under his breath and Jonah let out a surprised sound when he registered who it was.

Felix settled a hand on Jonah’s back as Ann and Philip Hale stopped in front of them.

“Felix. Jonah. This is a surprise,” Ann said, her smile a bit forced.

“Mom, Dad,” Felix answered. “How are you?”

“We’re well, aren’t we, Philip?”

“Yes, very. You?”

“We’re well also,” Felix said.

“Are you in the neighborhood visiting Jonah’s grandmother?” Philip asked.

“No,” Felix said. “We just bought Grandma Ji-min’s home. She was ready to downsize.”

Though bought was a loose term. There had been several discussions with their respective financial advisors about what was best for avoiding horrendous taxes on what was essentially Jonah’s early inheritance.

Still, it belonged to Jonah and Felix now.

“Since you haven’t acknowledged him,” Felix said, “I’d like to officially introduce you to my fiancé.”

“Good to see you, Mr. and Mrs. Hale.” Jonah’s tone was polite but it was far cooler than usual.

Philip nodded. “Jonah.”

“Felix, we assumed this engagement was … some sort of PR campaign,” his mom said stiffly. “To rehab your image.”

Felix smiled. “No. This is me choosing to spend the rest of my life with the one person who has always loved and supported me.”

“But you’re straight, son.” His father looked baffled.

“Am I?” Felix shot his dad an amused glanced. “Because I’m having sex with a man and enjoying it very much. I’m in love with a man and have never been in a happier or healthier relationship. I’m engaged to a man and am ecstatic about marrying him. That doesn’t sound very straight to me.”

His father’s lips tightened. “You know the way you get. It’s merely a phase—”

Felix’s amusement abruptly vanished. “No, Dad. Jonah is not a phase. I have loved him in one way or another since I was five years old. Hockey and Jonah are the two constants in my life and there is absolutely nothing that can shake that.”

“Perhaps you’re being a little short-sighted, Felix,” his mother said.

“And perhaps you’re being bigoted,” Jonah said calmly.

“We support—”

“I don’t care who you support unless it’s your son,” Jonah said, scowling. “Felix has never wanted anything from you but to be loved and appreciated for who he is. Not who you want him to be, but who he actually is. And if you can’t do that, then it doesn’t matter how progressive your politics are or what you pay lip service to.”

They both sputtered but there was little more they could say and Felix nodded his agreement. “Before you go blaming Jonah for anything, I have to say that he’s right. And if you can’t support me being with Jonah then I don’t think there’s any point in continuing to have a sham of a relationship. You’re my parents. I love you. But that doesn’t mean that we’re a close family. Not the way I wanted.”

“Felix!” His mom looked aghast.

“It’s true and I’m tired of pretending otherwise. I hope you have a good life but I don’t have any need to make you a part of mine if you can’t accept Jonah’s place in it.”

Without another word, Felix walked off, Jonah scrambling to catch up. It wasn’t until they reached the park and Felix took a seat on the swing that either of them spoke.

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