Page 96 of Making It Burn

Before I could talk myself out of it, I texted Dad-

Can I come by tonight?Need to talk to you about something.

His response came almost immediately-

Of course.I’ll be home after 6.Everything okay?

Yeah.Just need to talk.

See you then.

I set my phone down and took a shaky breath.

I was doing this.I was actually doing this.

And if it went badly—if my father reacted the way I’d always feared—then at least I’d have done one brave thing in my life.

And if it went well...

If it went well, maybe I could fix things with Beau.

Maybe.

* * *

I parked in Dad’s driveway and sat for a moment, trying to calm my racing heart.Caroline’s car wasn’t in the driveway, which was good.I needed to do this alone.Just me and my father, no buffer, no escape route.

You can do this.Just tell him.Rip off the band-aid.

I got out of the car and walked to the front door before I could change my mind.

My father answered after two rings, still in his work clothes minus the tie, a glass of scotch already in his hand.

“Mason.”He stepped aside to let me in.“You look terrible.Rough day?”

“Rough week,” I admitted.

“Well, come in.Want a drink?”

“God, yes.”

He led me to his study and poured me two fingers of Macallan—the same stuff I’d been drowning in last night—and handed it to me before settling into his chair.

“So,” he said.“What’s going on?You sounded serious.”

I took a long drink, letting the scotch burn down my throat.Dutch courage.“Where’s Caroline?”

“Last minute Christmas shopping.Won’t be back until late.”He studied me over his glass.“Why?Did you want her here?”

“No, actually, I’m glad she’s not.This is...”I took another drink.“This is something I need to tell you.Just you.”

My father’s expression shifted, concern replacing casual interest.“Mason, you’re worrying me.What’s wrong?Are you sick?”

“No, nothing like that.”I set my glass down before I drank it all in one go.“I’m fine.Work is fine.I just...I need to tell you something.Something I should have told you a long time ago.”

He waited, patient, and that somehow made it worse.This was it.The moment I’d been dreading for years.The moment that would either change everything or destroy it.

“Dad, I’m gay.”