Page 54 of Tobias

“I need to have a serious conversation,” I begin, needing him to understand it’s not time for joking.

He glances at me. “Well, you should have said that before you came over.”

“Why?” I frown.

“I would have put my serious pants on.” He tugs at the waistband of his sweatpants.

I hold his stare for just a second before saying, “I’m leaving.”

I push off the counter and take a step toward the door.

“No,” he groans, grabbing my arm with his wet hand. “I was kidding, but I’ll be serious now. Promise.” I raise a brow. “Promise,” he says firmly.

I’m quiet for a few moments as I consider him. I knew this was a possibility before coming over here. This is Asher, after all, but once he realizes how serious this is, he’ll knock it off. Getting started is always the hard part, though.

“I need to call off the wedding with Marianne.”

His face falls, and I know without a doubt there will be no more joking from him. Maybe I should have started with that.

“Fuck,” he mutters, shutting off the tap and grabbing a soap pod to put in the dishwasher.

“I don’t know how to do it."

He shuts the door and pushes the start button, then turns to face me.

“I’m not sure I have an answer for that, but we have a room for you here if you need it.”

“Thanks, man.”

He nods, going to the fridge to pull out two beers. I take mine, popping the cap off to take a swig.

“Have you decided to do it for sure?”

“I don’t know,” I admit, following him into the living room where the TV is playing some action movie on low volume. “I should. I know I should, but then I think of all the shit that’s going to happen after, and it’s… overwhelming.”

“Like with your family?” He drops onto the couch, and I take the recliner.

I nod. “Family. Job. All of it. I don’t want to sound like a spoiled brat, but I don’t know how else to live.”

“Me and Morgan will be your adoptive parents. We’ll teach you the ways.”

I chuckle. “It’s fucking scary, you know?”

He nods. “Yeah, I know. Don’t forget I had to come out to my family. Then had to explain the dynamic of my relationship with Morgan. They still don’t understand it.”

“At least your family was accepting of you. I don’t think mine will be.”

“Your happiness should come before anyone else’s, Theo. It’ll suck if your family freaks out, but you can’t control that, and you shouldn’t live your life for them.”

“So, I’ve heard…” I mutter. Tobias said something very similar to me.

“Whatever you decide to do, we will be here for you. You will always have us, no matter what. Besides… you don’t really know how Marianne will react to this. She could be supportive of you. If you both go to your families together, it may have a different outcome.”

“Maybe for her family, but not for mine.”

“No, but at least you’ll still have a friend in her.” He takes a mouthful of beer, then adds, “Marianne is cool, I’ve always said that. Sometimes people surprise you.”

Marianne and I were friends first, and maybe she’ll understand. Maybe she’s the one I need to talk to first. Just… not yet. I’ll hold off a little longer. Get through the holidays first. I don’t want to ruin Christmas for everyone. Even if she is accepting of me, I’m still ruining her entire future.

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