Page 25 of Companion Required

“More or less, yes,” said Kennedy. He decided not to try to explain that the organisers aimed the cruise at the full range of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as welcoming older guests, thin or more full-bodied, and all races, which made for a far more friendly crowd. One of the other cruise lines his friends had researched had been more exclusive, just for men, but if a person wasn’t ripped, in their twenties, and hot as hell, they were essentially invisible.

Without too much ceremony, Jeff helped them get their bags out of the trunk. This time around, however, instead of the formal handshake, he pulled Kieran into a hug and, just like his sister had, said something to him that Kennedy couldn’t hear. Finally he turned his attention to Kennedy.

“Come and see us again soon, son. Your mother and I aren’t getting any younger.”

“You know, you can always jump on a plane and come see me.”

“With your work schedule? Would we ever get to see you?”

“Fair point. But I’d make the time.”

“Let me talk to your mother. You know how she feels about travelling and especially about cold weather. But it might be nice to spend Christmas in England.”

Kennedy fully expected his father to shake his hand in farewell, and was surprised when he almost pulled him off his feet into a fierce hug.

“Look, son,” he said, still holding tight, “I know we don’t always see eye to eye, but I want you to know how immensely proud I am of you, of everything you’ve accomplished. I see now that you’ve done everything single-handedly, which can be very hard on a person. So take time out for yourself every now and then. And take care of that lovely boy. He’s…he’s very special. I’d be honoured to have him as a part of our family.”

When his father finally let them go, turning and quickly getting in the car so Kennedy could not see his face, he realised his own eyes had misted over. Something that hadn’t happened for years.

Yes, he thought,things had definitely changed.

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