Page 187 of Incisive

“This is, obviously, a complicated situation.” He turns to them. “But, seriously, I’m good with this. Leo and Elliot have been together longer than Leo and I have. They were together when I met Leo.” He takes my hand and squeezes. “They both love me, and each other, and I love both of them.”

Leo eases around his parents and stands directly behind us, his hands on our shoulders. “Mom, Dad, I love Elliot. And I love Jordan. For obvious reasons, you cannot say anything to anyone about this. About the three of us being together. All the public can know is that Elliot and I are together and that Jordan is our friend and Elliot’s body man and he lives with us because of those reasons, and because he is estranged from his family. So we’ve informally adopted him into our family, so to speak.”

They’re obviously still stunned because they don’t respond, staring at us with wide eyes.

I try again. “Mr. and Mrs. Cruz, I’mreallysorry. Leo’s been more patient with me than I have the right to ask of any human. So has Jordan. I’ve always been terrified of coming out. It’s…” I take a deep breath. “Long story short, I was certain I’d alienate my family, and I was scared of my election prospects. President Samuels and her husband knew about us and were willing to protect our secret. They also know Jordan is our partner. I apologize for the ruse to get you out here today, but it really was a surprise for Leo. That much was the truth.”

They exchange a glance and it’s Leo’s father who finds his voice first. “So, what does this mean, exactly?”

“It means,” Jordan says, “that I’mhappy. IwantedElliot to marry Leo so we can be together all the time without it raising suspicions. This was the only permutation that works for us long-term without getting Elliot mired in a scandal. And it means I have unlimited access tobothof them. Leo and I have had to sneak around for years, ever since I returned to DC, because we didn’t want people seeing us together out in public.”

I didn’t know that part. I make a mental note to ask them about that later.

Leo’s mom still doesn’t look convinced. “Jordan, why did you really leave DC?”

“Because I thought my presence would stress Elliot during his campaign. Then Elliot came after me in Florida. That much is true. He approached me and asked me to come back and be his body man. That’s when he and I really got our acts together. What I didn’t know was Elliot was always in love with me, ever since he and Leo first met me, but he was too afraid to admit it. I love both of these goobers and they love me.”

Leo tries again. “Mom, Dad,please. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you about Elliot before now. I wanted to, I really did, but I promised him. I always wanted to bring him to meet you as mine.”

His father scowls. “That time in the hotel. When we had dinner. When you told us Jordan left.”

Leo nods. “We were together then, me and Elliot.” He takes my hand and squeezes. “Mom, Dad, I’d like to introduce you to my fiancé, Elliot Woodley. We’ve been together for nearly eighteen years. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you the truth before.” He holds out his other arm to Jordan, who steps to his side and lets Leo draw him in. Leo brushes a kiss across his lips. “And Jordan isours. We need to keep that a secret because it literally could end Elliot’s presidency if anyone discovers this before he’s out of office. I’ll handle telling Kayley but you cannot tellanyoneabout us.”

“How do you hide this?” his mom asks.

“Very carefully,” Casey-Marie mutters from where she’s standing, making Jordan snort, too.

Leo takes over. “We keep it hidden at least until after Elliot’s out of office. As Elliot’s body man and roommate, Jordan has unlimited access to him. And now to me, too. That’s why it’s so important for you to keep this a secret. Once Elliot’s out of office, then we’ll figure out how to announce it so there’s no professional backlash. But Jordan’s got a job to do, and Elliot has a job to do. ElliotneedsJordan as his aide. Ciro’s going to announce his run for president in two years, and we obviously don’t want to mess that up. It’ll be too much of a distraction if we let the truth get out now. Even Ciro knew about me and Elliot when we asked him to run as VP.”

I know why he’s not telling them Ciro knows about Jordan, too—plausible deniability.

Casey-Marie knows Ciro knows but she’s protected if I declare executive privilege.

His mom’s still focused on Jordan. “And you’rereallyokay with this?”

“Iam, Mom.Really. Please, get to know Elliot. He’s a great guy.”

“Do we have to call himMisterPresident all the time?” Leo’s dad snarks.

“No, because he’s family,” Leo says. “He’s just plain Elliot.Pleasegive him a chance. You havenoidea how happy I am right now. The only thing that could have made it more perfect would be if we could have revealed to the world how we feel about Jordan, too.”

His mom crosses her arms over her chest. “How are we supposed to explain this? Not saying anything to anyone about the two of you throughout the years?”

“Simple. You say you respected your son’s privacy when he asked you not to say anything about his relationship until his partner was ready to come out. And if people ask invasive questions or want details you say, ‘I won’t discuss my son’s relationship. Ask him yourself.’ Repeat ad nauseam. Literally that’s all you have to say.”

Jordan turns the full force of his puppy-dog eyes on them. “Please, Mom and Dad.Pleasedo this for us.”

His mom crumples first. She sighs and then reaches out to hug me. I know from my talks with Leo how much they love Jordan and view him as a second son. This has to be confusing and difficult for them to process.

I get that.

“Don’t you break their hearts,” she warns me loudly enough for everyone in the room to hear her.

“I won’t, ma’am. I promise. I love them. I swear.”

Then Leo’s father steps in for a hug. “Honestly thought when Leo called last night that it was going to be to tell us he’d proposed to Jordan,” he says when he steps back. “I never guessed you two were an item. And then all hell broke loose.”

“I’m ashamed to say it took me this many years to de-ass my head, sir. I’m sorry about that.”