Page 58 of Road Trip

His mom raised an eyebrow and I braced for impact. Because obviously she was going to blame me for that, right? Obviously. I was the dumb kid with the bad ideas. But she didn’t. She hummed thoughtfully and said, “We agreed college money could be used for emergencies, and given what happened in California, I think getting home safely qualifies.”

At the mention of California, my stomach dropped. I pushed my plate away, unable to take another bite with the way my gut was churning with lingering shame.

Jacob squeezed my hand again, and somehow that single point of contact between us was enough to make me feel better. It was so dumb. Didn’t mean I didn't soak up the touch, though. He turned to face me, and I knew what he was asking. Was I ready to tell his parents about us?

I wasnotready.

At the same time, I was as ready as I’d ever be. How could I tell if we should do it or not? But I remembered how good it had felt to tell Jacob the truth. And who was I kidding? I’d spentyearspining over Jacob, and now somehow he was mine—or maybe I was his—and if he was willing to tell his folks we were together, I wasn’t going to stop him just because I was scared shitless.

I tilted my chin down in a subtle nod.

“I’m,” he started, then stopped. “We’re. Me and Matt, I mean,” he said. His mouth opened and closed but no sound came out. He looked at me helplessly, his brow creased.

Jesus. I loved Jacob but he was killing me right now.

“We’re together, is what Jacob’s trying to say,” I said before we got trapped in a never-ending Groundhog Day of Jacob starting sentences he couldn’t finish. Either shit or get off the pot, the old guy who lived next door to us at the Seaview Mobile Home Park used to say.

There was silence.

Luke was the first one to break it. “Oooooooooooh!”

He sounded like a middle school kid catching two other kids kissing.

“Luke,” Mr. Mercer said. “Thank you for telling us, boys.”

“Thank you for telling us,” Mrs. Mercer repeated.

That was it?

Jacob and I exchanged a glance.

“Um,” Jacob said. “Are you okay with it?”

His mom blinked at him. “Why wouldn’t we be okay with it?” Her forehead creased. “Areyouokay with it?”

“Uh, yeah,” he said, wrinkling his nose. “I’m not liking guys against my will or anything.”

“So what, you’re gay now?” Luke asked, looking between us with interest.

“Luke,” his parents said in unison.

“I’m bi,” Jacob said. “I think. And Matt’s gay.”

“Huh.” Luke stuck a spear of asparagus in his mouth. “Cool.”

Luke was sixteen and a lot of the time he said stupid stuff, but he was surprisingly chill when it mattered. I allowed myself a small smile.

“So,” Mr. Mercer said, pointing between Jacob and me. “Is this a new thing or…”

“A new thing,” Jacob said.

“Well, congratulations,” Mr. Mercer said.

“Thanks?” Jacob said.

Mr. Mercer let out a breath and exchanged a look with Mrs. Mercer. “Well, same rules as with Layla, I guess.”

“Exactly. Your bedroom door stays open, Jacob,” Mrs. Mercer said, andwhat?

---