Page 119 of Theoretically Straight

Theo gets out of the driver’s seat, looking at me too. I can’t read his expression–maybe somewhere between curiosity and annoyance. “Well? What do you think?”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” I say slowly, trying to pick my words carefully. “Not that I don’t appreciate the invite, Nate, really I do. I just don’t want to force your brother to do anything he’s not ready to do. If he’s not out to your extended family, me being there is just going to raise too many questions.”

Nathaniel nods. “Oh, right. I didn’t think about that. God, it’s so stupid that you guys even have to worry about that. Like, I’ve never had to tell Aunt Susan I’m attracted to girls over a bowl of mashed potatoes. It shouldn't even have to be a thing.”

A snort escapes before I can catch it, and Theo laughs, too.

“You’re absolutely right,” I tell Nathaniel.

“Well, I’m still in favor of you being there,” he says, looking over at Theo. “No offense, bro, but Caleb is much more fun to hang with. He lets me win at Mario Kart and doesn’t listen to depressing vinyls.”

Theo slaps a palm to his chest. “Ouch, man. What the hell?”

“I said no offense.” Nathaniel shrugs, closing Eileen’s back door and walking around to the passenger side. He pauses, glancing up at Theo again. “Maybe it would be easier if you just made a big announcement. Like, ‘Hey, Caleb is my boyfriend, and it’s not a big deal, get over it.’ Then you wouldn’t have to worry about telling everyone.”

Theo frowns. “It doesn’t work like that, unfortunately. Hey, we can keep talking about this in the car, okay?”

“Okay, yeah. See ya, Caleb.”

“Bye, Nate.”

Theo rounds Eileen’s hood, wrapping me up in a hug. “Sorry about that,” he mutters in my ear. “I don’t think he really understands.”

“I think he gets more than you give him credit for,” I say, resting my chin on his shoulder. “And for the record, if you wanted me there for Thanksgiving dinner, I’d be there in a heartbeat. Homophobic-Uncles-be-damned.”

Theo pulls away, giving me a look. “Really? You’d do that?”

“Of course, I would. Your family is not going to scare me away. I think we’ve already established that.”

He smiles, giving me one more squeeze before letting me go. “Okay, I’ll think about it. We can talk more tonight.”

“Okay. I love you, Theo.”

“Love you, too.”

* * *

Saturday, November 18

The cracked and splintered parking lot of Saint Catherine’s church has been roped off; tours canceled for the night as Hudson’s camera crew set up out front under the crooked steeple. A yellow lanyard around my neck proves that I’m allowed to be here as people dressed in black shirts hurry to and fro, working against the clock of the setting sun.

“Where’s Theo?” Harrison asks, slipping his own lanyard on. The rest of the crew are still checking in, but Theo and I have been here for an hour already. He was nervous about being late.

“I think he said he was going to the bathroom.” I check my phone. “But that was fifteen minutes ago, so I might have to go on a rescue mission.”

Harrison rubs his hands together, then lets out a puff of breath between them. Now that the sun’s going down, the temperature is dropping fast. “Have you spotted Hudson yet?”

I shake my head. “Not yet, but he should be here any minute. They want to get started as soon as it gets dark.”

“You won’t think less of me if I squeal like a fangirl when he gets here, will you?”

I clap him on the shoulder. “I’d only think less if you didn’t.”

Harrison pulls out his camera. “I’m going to go get some shots around the lot before it gets too dark. Would you let Elise know where I am?”

“You got it.”

It’s only a few minutes before Elise and Oliver find me. Elise pulls the scarf around her neck tighter as she shuffles over to me. “Jesus, it’s freezing out here. Where is everyone?”

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