Page 15 of Our Big White Lie
I kicked him hard, and he jumped in the same moment he choked on his coffee. “I’ll show you ‘bitch.’”
He gave me the finger. I stuck out my tongue. Then we both laughed, because we were dorks. I seriously loved this man.
Marco shifted in his chair and grinned at me. “So, do I get to be the gay best friend who comes and makes catty remarks while you try on wedding dresses?”
I rolled my eyes. “I mean, I’d say yes in a heartbeat if you didn’t have the fashion sense of a straight man.”
He touched his hand to his chest and gasped. “You take that back.”
I cocked a brow. “Do I need to pull up pictures from college?”
“College doesn’t count. That’s in the past.”
“It was three years ago.”
“And so was my relationship with Jillian, but I don’t see you letting that go any time soon.”
“Ugh.” He tsked and let his shoulders drop. “Jesus Christ. You really are such a bitch.”
“Takes one to know one.”
That earned me another kick under the table.
Totally worth it.
Unfortunately, Friday evening—New Year’s Eve—wouldn’t be nearly as fun as my banterfest with Marco. Time to for me and my fiancée to face my family.
Ava’s family were the definition of queer allies. They’d been a little surprised when she came out, but that was only because they hadn’t expected it. It just hadn’t crossed their minds. Oncethat momentary “oh, really?” had worn off, it had just become Langley family canon that Ava was gay. Everybody moved on.
The Griffins? Well, that had been a little more… complicated. My parents were fully supportive now, and they’d accepted every woman I’d ever dated (even if they hadn’tquitebeen able to hide how much they didn’t like Jillian). My siblings and cousins were fine. The grandparents, aunts, and uncles had taken varying amounts of time to come around, but most of them eventually had.
Mostof them.
Fortunately, my grandma and Aunt Elizabeth wouldn’t be at my parents’ New Year’s party. A few relatives would be, though, and while they had sort of grudgingly accepted that I was a lesbian, they still weren’t completely comfortable with it. There wouldn’t be a midnight kiss between Ava and me tonight, and there probably wouldn’t have been even if we really were a couple. It just wouldn’t be worth the potential pearl-clutching and“well, I understand that’s your lifestyle, but I wish you wouldn’tflauntit in front of everyone.”Ugh.
So, needless to say, I still wasn’t sure how some of them felt about someone like me getting married.
Guess I was about to find out.
I parked in front of my parents’ house and took a deep breath.
Ava watched me from the passenger side. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” I swallowed, then turned to her. “Just nervous.”
Her forehead creased. “Do you think they’ll, uh…” She bit her lip. She’d been there through my parents’ initial weirdness, and she’d heard all about my extended family’s issues over my sexuality.
“I think it’ll be okay.” I wasn’t sure if I was lying. “The really awful people won’t be here.”
“Well, that’s good.” She laughed nervously. “Start on easy mode with the chill part of the family before you have to deal with… that.”
“Ugh. Can’t wait. I, um… I won’t drag you along for that part.”
“It’s okay. We’re in this together.” She paused “And you’re doing something huge for me and my mom. If you want a united front when you face off with them, I’ll go.”
I managed a smile, and I squeezed her arm. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
I was grateful for the offer, and I had no doubt she meant it. Still, I didn’t see myself dragging her into that fray. My aunt especially could be trusted to say some pretty nasty shit, secure in the knowledge that no one would push back for fear of confrontation. Having someone like that in a conflict-avoidant family was… fun.
