Page 101 of Tagging Bases

“That’s not scientifically accurate,” Daniel points out.

“Shut up and let me have this.”

As we head toward the house, Harrison stops to retrieve his phone from the grass. The screen is cracked, but it still works. He stares at it for a moment, then powers it off completely.

“No more calls today,” he says firmly.

As we step into the kitchen, the warm scent of cinnamon and butter causes my eyes to roll back. Mom’s bent over the counter, drizzling glaze over a tray of perfectly golden cinnamon rolls. She looks up at our entrance, and her smile falters the second she spots Harrison.

“Oh, sweetheart,” she breathes, taking in his puffy eyes and blotchy face.

Mom wipes her hands on her apron and crosses the kitchen in three strides, pulling Harrison into her arms before he can even process what’s happening. And just like that, the dam breaks all over again.

Harrison’s shoulders shake as he buries his face in my mom’s shoulder, his hands clutching at her back as if she might disappear if he lets go. Fresh tears soak into her flour-dusted shirt, but she doesn’t seem to mind one bit. She simply holds him tighter, one hand stroking his hair while she makes soft shushing sounds.

“It’s okay, honey. Let it all out,” she murmurs, rocking him gently the same way she used to with me whenever I skinned my knees as a kid.

Daniel and I exchange glances before sliding into the chairs at the kitchen table. My knee bounces anxiously as I watch my mom work her magic, providing the maternal comfort Harrison’s clearly been starved of his whole life.

Harrison’s sobs slowly quiet to sniffles. Mom guides him to a chair, keeping one hand on his shoulder as she grabs a box of tissues from the counter.

“Now then,” she says, settling into the chair beside him. “Tell me what’s got you so upset.”

Harrison blows his nose, looking embarrassed. “I’m sorry, Mrs. McManus. I didn’t mean to?—”

“None of that,” Mom interrupts gently. “You’re family now. And family doesn’t apologize for needing support.”

The word ‘family’ makes Harrison’s eyes well up again, but he manages to keep it together this time.

“My mother called,” he starts, voice hoarse. “She found out about...” He gestures vaguely between Daniel and me. “About us. All three of us.”

Mom’s expression remains open and patient. “And she didn’t take it well?”

A bitter laugh escapes Harrison. “That’s putting it mildly. She called me an embarrassment. Said I was destroying the family reputation with my ‘deviant lifestyle.’” His fingers make air quotes around the words. “Then she cut me off. Financially, emotionally, everything.”

“Oh, honey.” Mom reaches over and takes his hand. “I’m so sorry. No parent should ever make their child feel that way.”

She gives him another hug. When she releases him, she pats his cheek. “Forget about it. Right now, you’re here in Bomont with my wonderful son and his equally wonderful best friend. Er, I guess his boyfriend now. And yours. Although I’m still figuring out the logistics of that.”

“Mom!” I squeak, my face burning.

“What? I’m curious! Do you take turns, or?—”

“And that’s our cue to leave,” I announce, grabbing both myboyfriends and dragging them toward the stairs. “We’ll be in my room. Not doing anything. Just existing. Separately. In different corners.”

Mom’s laughter follows us up the stairs. “Use protection!”

Thisis how I die. Death by parental embarrassment.

But as we tumble into my room, Harrison laughing for real now and Daniel making jokes about scarring my innocent mother, I think maybe dying happy isn’t the worst way to go.

Chapter 34

An Impromptu Split

Harrison

The driveback to New York takes longer, but maybe that’s because my mind is still on vacation in Bomont. I’m curled up in the backseat with my head resting against the cool window. The gentle hum of the engine and the steady passing of streetlights lull me into a half-sleep state. Through the haze, I catch snippets of conversation from the front seat.

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