Page 101 of Body Check

“I’m not …outto them.”

“Oh?” Dakota said, because he hadn’t really known that.

“Yeah. I mean, I always kind of couch it as ‘oh, my brother is gay, and I want to support the community’ but I’ve never really opened up about it being personal for me too. I’ve worked quietly in the background with several great organizations but I—I sometimes feel like I should be doing more.”

“I think we all feel like that sometimes.” Because hell, Dakota knew he could do more for the community, but he could never quite seem to find the time. “But you’re busy with your career and the kids and …”

She bit her lip. “It’s more than that though. The truth is, after—after what happened with Mom and Dad when I came out, I haven’t wanted to rock the boat. I’ve been scared to risk a job I love.”

“Sure, I get that,” he said softly. Because it had been hard. They’d been estranged for several years.

“But the truth is, things in this country are …” She grimaced. “They’re not great right now, you know? And I feel like I need to be doing more for kids in the community. For my own kids.”

“I get that too.”

“So, a part of me is resentful I even have to worry about this shit. I don’t want to be an activist, I never have. I want to live my life with my family and be left alone. But we know damn well it’s getting harder and harder to do.”

“Yeah, it is,” Dakota agreed.

“So, yeah, the thought of you dating Gavin and it all coming out, well, it terrifies me. I really put myself on the line to get you this job. I know the team culture has been good overall, but trusting their support extends to people like me …”

Dakota swallowed hard. “I know.”

“But I want you to be happy too. And if Gavin makes you happy …”

“I don’t know,” Dakota said. “I don’t know if he does. I don’t know if we even fucking work together. But I—I know the thought of not being with him makes me feel like shit.”

“Sounds like love to me,” she said softly.

He chuckled. “Not love. Not yet. But maybe … maybe it could be. If we gave it a chance.”

“A chance at love is nothing to sneer at.”

“It’s not,” Dakota agreed. “I’m scared shitless of him being another Bryce but … I can’t spend my whole life refusing to even give a relationship another shot, can I?”

Violet’s smile was understanding. “No, you can’t.”

They were silent for a few moments before she asked, “Does Gavin have plans for the holidays?”

Dakota shook his head, slightly confused by the change of subject. “No. He—things are strained with his family.”

“Don’t I know about that,” Violet said with a sigh.

“Hey, Mom and Dad came around,” Dakota protested. Things had been rocky at first when Violet came out, but with time and some coaxing from Dakota, they’d learned a lot and reached out to her again.

They’d done the work to repair their relationship with Violet and were as proud of her as anyone.

“Theydidcome around,” Violet admitted. “And I’m sorry they’re not planning to come visit this year.”

“Yeah, me too.” Dakota frowned. “Grandma is getting old though, and I get why they wanted to stay in Seattle to spend it with her.”

Unfortunately, the extremely short break for Christmas didn’t leave enough time for Dakota and Violet to fly out there. They’d have to make do with video chats and phone calls.

“Yeah, me too.” Violet brightened. “Since he’ll be around, you should invite Gavin!”

“Invite him to what?”

“Invite him to spend a few days with us around the holidays. It’ll give me a chance to see if he’s good enough to be dating my little brother.” There was a teasing light and warmth in his sister’s eyes now.

---