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“So, he hit you?”

“There was a scuffle,” I lie so I don’t sound like a pussy. Then again, he should probably know that when Sawyer wants to swing on you, your ass is going down hard. “But this is normal, I promise. If Sawyer doesn’t come at you with his fists at some point, he doesn’t love you.”

“Man, I thought my familywas fucked.”

“Ha! Just wait. Hope you know what you signed up for, baby. Should probably get you some boxing lessons.”

“I’ll take whatever they have to offer if it means I get to keep you.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. Now, go strip and lie down in bed. I wanna play doctor and patient.”

My ass moves fast, my cock already hardening. Everything’s going to be okay.

CHAPTER 21

carter

My siblings werethe easy part, and even though I feel a massive weight lifted now that my siblings know, I still have one last hurdle to get over. Especially now that I know our parents knew each other—at least in some aspect—in college.

I take the stairs two at a time, knocking quickly on my parents’ front door before walking in. They’ve always had an open-door policy, even for our friends growing up, and if one of my mom’s kids knocked and waited for her to come, she would “make them wait until they leave.” She’s been the best mom, and I know that coming out to them isn’t going to be cause for concern. The kicker will be with who I’m in love with if they remember who Finn’s dad is, like he remembers them.

“Dad? Mom? Your favorite son is here!”

“Dallas, is that you?” my mom’s voice rings out from where she’s working on a puzzle with my dad at the kitchen table.

“Funny. You know we all think he’s your favorite, right? I should text them all and let them know you just admitted your preference, but I don’t want it to go to Dallas’ head.”

“Oh stop it, right now! I don’t have favorites. You walked right into that one by calling yourself it.”

“Sure, sure, Mom, sure.”

“Have a seat, my boy. Any update on your worries? Sawyer said all has been quiet.”

“Kinda wanted to talk to you about that. We don’t have to worry about anything. I was overly paranoid, but I had my reasons.”

“That’s great! But that’s not Carter-visit worthy, so what else is going on?”

My dad sits back in his chair, crosses his arms, and raises a brow, waiting for my news.

“I’m bisexual.”

My dad just kind of looks at me, but my mom stands up out of her chair and grabs my face, forcing me to look at her.

“I love you, my boy. I’m proud of you for telling us, and it makes me so happy that you know you can come to us about anything.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“Your mom is right. I love you and I’m proud of you. No matter who you love, man or woman, as long as you’re capable of feeling the emotion and giving it in return. It’s life-changing.”

“Thanks, Dad. On that same note, I met someone. He’s the reason I even realized that I was bisexual in the first place.”

“Oh, honey! I never thought I would see the day! When do we get to meet him?” my mom gushes.

“Well, before you get too excited. It’s more complicated than that. The writer at the Northwest Explorer I was telling you about who I was freaking out over? That’s who I’m in love with. I was grasping onto everything that could give me an out because I didn’t want to accept that I had fallen in love withsomeone. He would never do anything to hurt me or anyone else.”

“What’s his name, son?” my dad asks, his tone a little more firm. My blood starts to go cold as my cheeks heat, but I shake my hands out, willing myself to stay calm.