Page 73 of Crew

This wasn’t just telling them I was bisexual. It was admitting I’d been hiding a part of myself from the people I loved most. And no matter how much I told myself I had my reasons, the guilt sat heavy in my gut.

I just hoped the truth would feel lighter.

“I wanted to come home because …” The words trailed off before I could catch them.

No one rushed me.

I took a breath and reached over and slid my hand into Knox’s.

My mom’s breath caught.

My dad balked.

My brother’s mouth fell open.

“Knox isn’t just my teammate.” I kept my voice even. “He’s my boyfriend.”

Silence.

Just the clock ticking and the low hum of the fan overhead disturbed the stillness.

It seemed like hours passed before my mom spoke first.

“Crew …” Her voice cracked. “Why didn’t you tell us sooner?”

“I didn’t know how,” I admitted. “I was scared of how you’d react.”

“Because I go to church?” she probed.

I nodded slowly. “Yeah. Partly. Not because I thought you’d hate me or anything. Just… because I’ve heard what people in your congregation are ‘supposed’ to believe. And I didn’t know where you really stood.”

She reached across the coffee table, her fingers curling lightly over mine. “I don’t understand it all,” she whispered, “but you’re my son. I could never stop loving you.”

“You don’t have to understand. Just knowing you still love me means everything.”

“Always.” Mom let go of myhand.

Dad cleared his throat. “I drove trucks my whole life. Missed birthdays, holidays, most of your games. I got no room to judge how you live your life, Crew. I just want you to be happy.”

“I am,” I assured them.

Finn grinned like he’d known the whole time. “You could’ve just told me, jackass.”

I huffed a breath, shaking my head. “Wasn’t that easy.”

“You know I’ve always got your back, right?” He stood and hugged me again.

“Yeah,” I murmured. “I do.”

Everyone stood and more hugs were exchanged. “Is it okay to say welcome to the family?” Mom asked Knox.

He looked over at me and I smiled, giving him the okay. For the first time in hours, maybe days, I actually felt like I could breathe.

“I’d like that,” Knox said to my mom.

“Good. Now you boys can’t be strangers anymore. I want you both here during the offseason even if it’s only for a couple of weeks, or Thanksgiving or Christmas.”

“Deal,” I replied.