Page 94 of Forgiven

“No. I’mbi.”

“You’re confused.”

It was better than the hate he’d been expecting, but still not a good reaction.

“Those queers at the club have twisted you and confused you.”

He pressed his lips together. There it was.

“Have you—” She made a gagging noise. “Sleptwith aman?”

“Yes.” He ploughed on while she made noises that were grim enough to make him feel sick. “I have a boyfriend. We’ve been together for a few weeks. He’s amazing.”

“You’redisgusting.”

An odd numbness settled over him. “I’m sorry you feel that way.”

“Don’t patronise me, Cal.”

“I’m not. Iamsorry.”

“You’re not welcome here while you’re seeinghim.”

“Don’t worry, I don’t want to come home.”

“Howcouldyou? Of all the things you could have chosen to do, this is the lowest, most hateful thing you could have done.”

“Do you think Ichosethis?” Callum asked. “Do you think I woke up one morning and thought I’d see what it was like to kiss a guy?”

“I wouldn’t put it past you.”

“It doesn’t work like that, Molly.” It was an effort not to scream at her. “Thisis who I am.”

“Bullshit. Everyone has a choice, Cal. You can choosenotto be gay.”

“Bi,” he hissed. “And no, I can’t choose not to bebi, but even if I could, I wouldn’t.”

He expected her to scream at him, but instead there was a scuffling noise, followed by tearful breathing.

“Mum?” he shook as he waited for her to say something.Anything.

It had to be her. She had to have taken the phone away from Molly.

“Mum?”

“Don’t call me that ever again,” she said coldly. “I don’t have a son anymore.”

“Mum?” Callum’s voice was frantic. “Mum?”

The scuffling noise was repeated.

“Are you satisfied?” Molly asked. “She’s crying her heart out because ofyou.”

Callum couldn’t take anymore. He sucked in a breath. “Goodbye, Molly.”

“Don’t you dare hang up on—”

“Why not? There’s nothing left to say. You’ve both made that perfectly clear. Goodbye. Tell Mum—” His voice broke. “Tell Mum I love her.”