Page 12 of My Ex Girlfriend's Brother

“Oh, I love it. It’s been so long since I’ve had a good home-cooked meal.” He groaned, and my dick instantly took notice. Now was so not the time for me to be getting hard with my parents only feet away. “This is so good.”

Mom fluffed her salt and pepper hair. “Thank you. You’re such a sweet boy. So, what do you do for a living?”

“I own my own business; a bar called The Thirsty Tortoise.”

“Oh, that’s an interesting name,” my mom said sweetly. What it really meant was she didn’t like the name. Her gaze set on me, and I knew what she was about to ask. It was the same thing she always asked when she saw me.

“I know you haven’t lived in California for long, but I hope… are you seeing anyone? You’re obviously making new friends.”

My hands shook under the table. My throat closed up as I tried to form the words I wanted to say to my parents. I looked back and forth between them. My dad was strong and silent, letting my mom take over the conversation like he always did, and my mom was just my mom. She wanted the best for me. She wanted me happy.

And I was happy. I was in love. Truly in love for the first time in my life, and I hoped like hell my parents would still love me after I came out to them.

Cash’s hand rested on my leg, and that one touch had my rapidly beating heart slowing down and the lump in my throat dissipating.

I could do this.

“Actually, I have been seeing someone, and it’s serious.” My mom’s eyes lit up. “In fact, I think I’m in love and want to spend the rest of my life with… him.”

“Honey, that’s…” And that was when I saw the light click on in her head when she heard the word ‘him.’ Her brows raised, gaze landing on Cash. “Him? But I thought… I’m confused.”

“I know how you feel. I’ve been confused for a long time, mom.” I swallowed harshly, and Cash gripped my leg tighter.

“Please explain,” my father demanded.

“Since high school, I’ve found boys attractive, but I never acted on it. After I broke things off for good with Camila, I decided I would explore both men and women if I was interested in them. I dated a couple of people when I was in Minnesota, but it didn’t go anywhere.” I looked to Cash, who was listening intently to me and smiled at him. “And then I met Cash. We’ve been together since the night we met.”

“And you want to spend the rest of your life with… Cash?” She asked hesitantly.

“I do,” I answered with one hundred percent conviction.

My mom held her hand over her heart. “What about kids?”

“Who says we can’t? You do know there’s a possibility I could find a woman, and we couldn’t have children, right? If Cash and I want kids in the future, and I think we do, we’ll either adopt or find a surrogate. I can still be a father, and you can still be a grandmother.”

“You’ve thought a lot about this,” she said softly.

“I have. About everything, and I only hope you can accept that my future will have Cash in it.” I looked from one end of the table to the other. My father had remained silent the entire time, and I had no idea how he was taking my news.

“I know this isn’t the popular opinion of many,” my dad started and cleared his throat. “But I don’t concern myself with others. I don’t care who you love or who’s in your bed as long as you’re happy, son.”

“Bob,” my mom cried out.

“What, Margaret? I’m acknowledging my son’s sexuality. If he wants to be with a man or a woman, it makes no difference to me.”

I felt a million times lighter after hearing my dad say that he would accept me no matter what.

“You don’t have to be so crass about it, though.” She swatted his way playfully. When my mom turned back to me, she lost every ounce of her playfulness. “Baby, you know I love you.”

I could feel the ‘but’ coming. My heart fell to my feet and through the ground and tumbled around down there before finally lying dead. How did I think this was going to go over smoothly? That my mom would be happy for me. I looked around the room. Would I ever be back in this room again? In this house?

“Jordan?” Cash squeezed my shoulder.

“Yeah?” I croaked, looking over at him. His brows were drawn as his green eyes scanned my face.

“Are you okay? Your eyes kind of glazed over there. Did you hear what your mom said?”

“No, I’m not sure if I—”

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