Page 76 of Outside Looking In

Nathan blushed. Another drunken misdeed. “I’m sorry for that, too.”

“I broke it,” Walt interjected.

“What?”

“It wasn’t working and I threw it against the wall. I should’ve said something. I’m sorry.”

Nathan waved it away like ancient history. “None of us are perfect.”

They traded knowing smiles, two imperfect people who had each other’s backs.

Liam swung open the front door. He wore a button-down shirt that tugged at his broad chest and tucked neatly into dark khakis. He and Mark had gone shopping for a special outfit for his niece’s debut. Nathan didn’t want to stop looking at him. He had an overwhelming urge to hug him, to feel his warmth. Liam was beautiful, every part of him.

A heavy moment weighed between the two men. Nathan hadn’t told the others that he was planning to leave. He didn’t want to ruin Franny’s debut.

“Are we ready to go?” Liam asked.

“Ready!” Mark called from the stairs.

“Then let’s get the—” Liam mouthedfuck, making Walt giggle. “outta here!”

“I’m going to be acting on stage tonight!” Franny yelled as she rumbled downstairs.

“Hard out!” Liam said. She hi-fived him, then Nathan.

The five of them packed into Mark’s car. Liam, Nathan, and Walt took the backseat with Walt in the middle. Their fingers met behind him, and Liam cracked a sexy smile that Nathan felt in all his pleasure zones.

“All right, Fosters and Nathan,” Mark said.

“Hey! Nathan’s a Foster, too,” Liam said.

“An honorary one,” Franny said.

Nathan fought back tears with an extra large smile.

“All right, Fosters.” Mark honked his horn in celebration. “Let’s go!”

* * *

They drovethrough fields that eventually gave way to suburban sprawl. Nathan was on a high better than drinking could ever give him. We wanted to live in this moment forever.

Half an hour later, they pulled into the theater parking lot, and the moment abruptly came to an end when Nathan recognized Pastor Fry’s car parked next to theirs.

“Grandpa and Grandma are here already!” Walt exclaimed.

Yes, they fucking are.

Liam

The theater had been the old mansion of a shipping magnate a century ago, with a wide staircase leading to imposing marble columns. It was an intimidating establishment, and Liam felt nervous for his niece, but when he looked over, she had a look of confidence stamped on her face. She was going to bring the house down.

“I’m going to the cast entrance around the side,” Franny said with a gleeful giggle. “You can wait there after the show andmaybeI’ll sign your programs. Kidding!” She kissed everyone goodbye and skipped off.

Nathan, conversely, looked like the nervous one. He wiped his palms on his pants; his eyes darted around when they reached the lobby. At first, Liam found it sweet that he was nervous for his niece, but he got the feeling this wasn’t about Franny.

Liam slyly clasped Nathan’s hand and tried meeting his eyes. “You all right?”

“I—yeah. I’m fine. I didn’t realize everyone was coming to support Franny. I thought her grandparents were against theater.”