Page 74 of Before It's Too Late

“That is what you think he’s worried about, isn’t it? That you don’t want to marry him?”

“Chloe.”

“And if you get engaged before Abbey’s birthday, she’ll win the bet.”

“She will?”

“Wait. Crap. Okay, I didnotjust tell you that.”

“Are you telling me that’s what you and Abbey bet on, was when me and Zach would get engaged?”

“Um, no?” Chloe mumbled as she bit one side of her bottom lip, scrunching her forehead.

“Oh, yes you did.” Cael beamed. “I know when I have to do it by. Now, I just need to find us rings, because you’re right. I want him see me showing the rest of the world that I’m taken.”

Chloe looked at him, her lips pressed into a knowing smile.

“What?” Cael grinned.

“You’re so in love,” she snorted, teasing him a little.

“Yeah, so?”

She tilted her head sideways, her expression shifting to something more serious. “It’s just good to see you free is all. I’m happy for you, bro. Zach too. He’ll say yes, for sure.”

“God, I hope so.”

“He will. I promise you, he will.”

***

From Taylor’s bedroom, Cael heard what sounded like the front door open and shut followed by footsteps on the hard wood floor. He finished diapering a sleepy Taylor and slipped her feet into her footie pajamas. Cael zipped her onesie and picked her up. Holding Taylor against his side with one arm, he spun around and found Zach standing in the doorway, his hands shoved in his pockets, a mix of emotions all over him. Cael laid Taylor in her crib and glanced at his watch. Nine-twenty-two.

“Sneaking up on me, Pook?” Cael whispered as he crossed the room toward him.

“Yeah, something like that.” Zach exhaled the words more than spoke them.

Concern filled Cael. “What’s wrong?”

Zach backed into the hallway, and Cael joined him. He took Zach’s hand and led him into the kitchen. Cael leaned back against the countertop and pulled Zach into his arms, kissing him softly. Zach’s breathing hitched, and he pulled away from Cael’s lips, but hovered close, his eyes closed.

“Did you finish your project?” It’s why Zach had worked so late tonight.

Zach nodded. “Yeah.” Pause. Deep breath.

“Talk to me.”

“My grandparents are coming to visit Mom and Dad.”

“Which ones?”

“Abuelo y Abuela.”

“Oh. And you’re worried about what they’ll think of us.”

Zach’s grandparents on his father’s side were deeply traditional and devout Catholics. They hadn’t come right out and said it, but Cael remembered overhearing subtle, anti-gay comments during their last visit some five years ago. Comments about Zach’s choice of friends and how he shouldn’t be hanging around with people like that.

The question now was, how were he and Zach going to handle the visit.