Page 27 of The Penalty

“And you want me to go to this opening thing?”

“You’ll be invited either way. You are his son, you go to this school. But it would be a good time to start easing Oliver into the idea of you.” Owen smiles kindly and I want to like him.

But I make the decision then and there to stick it to Oliver. Owen may put up with his crap, and that’s his choice, but I’m not going to be quiet. If he doesn’t like me and accept me, I’m about to make it his problem. Owen and I can form a relationship if he’s okay with that. If not, he’ll have to deal with it as much as Oliver will. I’m not going to hide any longer.

And I have an idea of how to start that.

Rhys: I have an idea.

Tobi: After having coffee with your brother? That doesn’t sound good.

Rhys: Or maybe it’s great.

Tobi: Lay it on me.

Rhys: Want to come as my date to a thing where my family will be?

Tobi: Your date? What? Why?

Tobi: I’m going to need more information.

Tobi: Is this a serious thing?

Tobi: And why your date?

Tobi: I need all the information here.

He’s clearly freaking out, so I give him a recap of what happened.

Rhys: I want to like Owen, but the conversation doesn’t sit right with me. How can I just let Oliver do whatever he wants? Even if it would make my life easier.

Tobi: where do I come into that?

Rhys: Moral support. You can give me ideas and help me get a feel for them. I don’t want to face the four of them alone.

Rhys: It leaves me out numbered.

Tobi: I can do that. But you want to pretend to be a couple?

Rhys: I have to tell them something. It’s going to be weird to say I’m bringing my best friend right? Like I can’t face them alone.

Tobi: But you’re not out. You won’t date anyone publicly.

Rhys: I’m still not publicly. It’s just for them.

Tobi: You don’t think they’ll out you?

Rhys: I’m not worried about that. They have husbands.

Tobi: Okay. I’ll go with you.

I don’t know why he’s acting weird about this. He doesn’t suspect something with me and Teddy, does he? I hope not.

NINE

RHYS

Aweek and a half passes and I have to go to the dedication for the new Godfrey School of Business building that’s opening tonight. It’s named after my father because he donated the money. I get dressed in my new tux and get in a car to go pick up Tobi.

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