Page 5 of Only Him
Chapter 2
The house smells of garlic and oregano when I arrive home from work. Yeah, I know, I should move out and get my own place, but my parents claim to love having me around and it’s free, so why the hell not. My engineering job pays well, but I’m three years out of graduate school with mounds of student loan debt to payoff, so why not save where I can. Plus, there’s the added benefit of having Ty in the next room.
I swing by the kitchen and catch Dad in the process of setting out the Italian takeout. “Smells amazing in here.”
Dad looks up from the kitchen table with a grin on his face. “Doesn’t it? Dinner is pretty much ready. Will you let Tyler know?”
“Yeah, sure.”
I head upstairs, loosening my tie as I go. On my way to my room, I knock on Tyler’s door then peek in without waiting for a response. “Hey, you in here?”
Ty’s on his bed with his laptop in front of him, books spread all around. “Yeah, what’s up?”
“Dad wanted me to tell you dinner is ready.”
“Okay, thanks.”
I hesitate before shutting his door. I quickly change into a T-shirt and my soft, comfy jeans before heading back down. Tyler’s door is cracked open and as I’m about to peek in again, I hear his baritone voice echo from downstairs.
Dad, Lydia, and Tyler are just sitting as I join them. The food is laid out on the table, removed from foil containers and placed in glass dishes, and the wine has been poured. I suppose just because it’s takeout doesn’t mean you can’t dress the meal up a bit.
“Looks great, Dad,” I say, taking my seat at the square table, opposite Tyler. “Smells great, too.”
“Your mom’s favorite, and she’s definitely earned this one.” Dad smiles at Lydia, tons of adoration in his eyes. I glance at Ty, wondering if he’ll ever see how much I adore him the way my Dad does my stepmom, if I ever get the courage to show him.
“Thank you, sweetie,” Lydia replies, leaning toward Dad.
He kisses her with a short, sweet peck on the lips. “Supervising obstetrician at Bear Valley Hospital. You earned it, honey. And we’re all proud of you, aren’t we boys?”
The corner of my mouth lifts. “Absolutely.”
“Congratulations, Mom,” Tyler adds.
Dad lifts his glass of wine and holds it over the center of the table. The rest of us pick up ours and clink our glasses together before taking a sip.
Dinner is… off. At least for me it is. Dad, Lydia, and Ty seem to be having no problem at all, but every time my gaze lands on Tyler, I’m reminded of this morning, and the pain I’ve caused him. Occasionally his eyes meet mine but then he looks away, focusing his attention elsewhere.
Between the four of us, we polish off a bottle of Merlot during the meal, and another one after. The conversation definitely grow livelier as the evening progresses and alcohol numbs the senses. The heaviness in my groin grows as well, especially the longer I sit here trying not to look at Tyler. But dammit, I can’t help it. In all honesty, I want to walk around the table, grab him by the hand—right in front of our parents—take him upstairs, and fuck his brains out.
My erection hardens and my pants tighten, more so than usual. I shift in my chair, attempting to alleviate some of the discomfort, and down the last few drops of wine in my glass.
“There’s another bottle if you’d like to crack it open,” Dad says.
I give my head a slow shake. The alcohol has muddled my brain a little, and I can feel the flush in my cheeks. “I think I’m good.”
“Wasn’t there something you wanted to ask them, Ben?” Lydia says, still working on her first glass of Merlot. She’s never been a big drinker.
“Oh, yes.” Dad looks between Tyler and me. “Your mom and I were talking the other day and we’re curious. What are your thoughts on having children?”
The question is out of the blue, but not one I haven’t thought of before.
“I definitely want kids,” I blurt out, no hesitation at all. Probably the wine.
“Tyler?” Lydia asks.
Tyler’s gaze flickers toward me, a barely discernible glance my way before shifting between our parents. “I do, but I don’t want to adopt.”
“So, like a surrogate.”