Page 36 of The Bro Date (Best Bros Forever #2)

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

TOBY

M y mother texted me for the first time in weeks.

She unfortunately wants me to come home for dinner this weekend, so I guess it’s my chance to tell them I’m gay, and I’m dating my best friend.

I won’t hide who I am any longer, and I certainly won’t hide my boyfriend.

Shane and I have come so far this year, and nothing can stand in our way.

He means everything to me.

It’s inevitable that my parents will find out about us, and if I don’t tell them first, I’ll risk a scene at the symphony. They absolutely cannot affect my performance or my chances at a professional set in an actual New York City orchestra. I’ve worked too hard for this.

Professor Goldblum said it's a secret, but he wanted to give me a heads-up because of my anxiety and let me know that there will be scouts watching. This is an opportunity of a lifetime. These scouts will offer all sorts of opportunities, from orchestra auditions to graduate applications.

“God. I’m already sweaty,” I complain, getting ready for another confrontational dinner with my parents.

And this time I get to tell them I’m gay. Yay.

“It’s going to be okay,” Shane insists, sitting on the end of my bed, waiting for me to finish getting ready.

I smooth out my baby-blue button-down and khaki Bermuda shorts while I stare at myself in the full-length mirror hanging over my closet door.

This feels like déjà vu. This feels like exactly what I told myself I wouldn’t worry about.

But they’re still my parents, and that little boy inside me still longs for their approval.

I close my eyes for a moment and take a deep breath.

“Seriously. Come here,” Shane murmurs, holding his palm out. I place my hand in his, and he tugs me over to where I settle between his spread thighs. “I’ve got your back, baby. Always. ”

I’m taller than him in this position, so I stare down at my boyfriend, brushing his dark, messy hair off his forehead. I smile, leaning down to press my lips to his. “I know. Thank you. The only reason I’m not running around freaking out is because you’re going to be by my side the whole evening.”

“Am I your emotional support Shane again tonight?” he deadpans, and I giggle, nodding enthusiastically.

“Yep. And don’t forget, my bodyguard, too. Those stairs are dangerous.”

“And now I’m your boyfriend.” Shane kisses me deeply, pulling back before we get carried away. “Are there any more titles I should strive for?” He raises a dark brow, smirking at me with his sexy, kiss-swollen lips.

Husband.

The intensely intimate word crash lands into my thoughts like a space capsule making impact in the middle of the ocean.

“We’ll see,” I murmur, my adrenaline spiking and heat rushing to my cheeks, as if he can read my mind. “But you’re doing exceptionally well in all of your current positions. Don’t worry.” I lean forward and press my mouth to his, kissing him affectionately.

“Good to know,” he chuckles against my lips, reaching around to squeeze both of my cheeks.

We get lost in the kiss, melting and merging into each other like the colorful strokes in a Monet painting.

“Ready to leave?” Shane asks, out of breath from our impromptu make-out session.

“’Cause if you stay on my lap for even a second longer, we’re gonna end up twenty minutes late with wrinkled clothes.

” He bites my lower lip, sucking on it while he encourages me to grind against him.

“ Okay. Okay, ” I say breathlessly, giggling as I swing a leg over and hop off his lap. “Let’s get this shitshow over with.”

Dinner’s going as well as can be expected so far. My parents haven’t brought up school or dating because they’ve been so busy talking about themselves the whole time, bragging about the newest multi-million-dollar home they closed on and the skilled staff they’ve built.

Blah. Blah. Blah.

“That’s great, Dad,” I say hollowly. “Sounds like you’ve got a really good team working for you.”

“Drive, determination, and commitment will take you a long way in this world, son.”

I nod, taking another bite of the chicken marsala but not really tasting it.

“Mhm. For sure,” I murmur, agreeing with him even though I’m hardly listening because all I can focus on is finding the right opportunity to come out.

My heart is racing, and my face and hands are starting to get all tingly.

With a shaky hand, I reach for my glass of ice water. Shane doesn’t miss a beat, noticing my nerves and placing his hand on my thigh under the table. He gently strokes my bare leg, attempting to settle some of the anxiety.

“You should consider working at the office this summer,” my father says, setting his knife and fork down. “You can shadow me and your mother. Get your foot in the door.” He takes another sip of whiskey, peering at me way too intently, as if he’s looking for a reaction or a reason to argue.

My parents have been trying to get me to work at their real estate firm during the summer for a couple years now, but I’m just not interested. And he knows that. “Dad . . .”

“ I know. I know. You’re too busy with the violin and hate the thought of being stuck in an office all summer with your old man.”

I don’t respond because he’s not wrong. I’m nineteen and in college. We live at the beach, for fuck’s sake, and I have no intention of spending my summer days under artificial fluorescent lighting, doing something I hate.

“Speaking of violin,” my mom suddenly says, and my heart nearly jumps out of my chest at what she might say.

“I’ve been meaning to let you know that we won’t be able to attend your performance at the end of the semester.

The firm is sponsoring a fundraiser on the same night, and you know we can’t miss something like that. It’s too important.”

Shane squeezes my thigh under the table, offering me his silent support.

“Of course,” I murmur, pushing food around my plate at this point. I’m actually relieved they aren’t coming, but it still doesn’t explain the slight ache in my chest.

“The offer of a summer job extends to you as well, Shane,” my dad says with a smug superiority that rubs a lot of people the wrong way.

As if the job offer is some sort of huge privilege.

He completely ignores the topic of my concerto, immediately steering the conversation back to him and his business.

My mom gives him a quick side-eye, clearly unhappy with the idea of seeing Shane in the office every day.

“Thank you, Mr. Livingston. I appreciate it, but I’ve been working at Coastal Cuisine for a while now, and I’m happy there,” Shane replies respectfully.

“Ahh, yes. With Glenn. He’s a good man,” Dad says, recognizing the company name.

Shane nods, and we all continue to eat in silence.

When my mom finishes picking at her food, clearly irritated with something or someone, she pushes her plate away. “ Tobias, ” she practically snarls, spitting out my name like a curse.

“Hmm?” I ask with wide eyes, chewing a bite of chicken and swallowing it with an audible gulp.

“Once again, we thought you were bringing a girlfriend over for dinner, but no. Here you are. With Shane.” Her blonde brows furrow, and she leans against the back of the chair, folding her arms across her chest. “ Again. ”

Here goes nothing.

“Well, actually . . .” I say, my fingers wrapping around the new pendant Shane gave me and sliding it back and forth on the chain. I drop it and grab my water, taking a nervous sip and stalling while my parents stare at me in anticipation.

My mother’s inquisitive eyes dart down to the necklace I was just fidgeting with, then over to Shane’s forearm that’s resting on the table. His matching wolf tattoo and the new purple butterfly next to it are in plain sight.

Her brows crease, and I recognize the very moment she puts it all together before I even have the chance to tell her. “ No, ” she breathes, holding a hand over her mouth as if she’s devastated by the revelation. “You’re . . .”

She can’t even say the words.

I feel his eyes on me, but I can’t look at Shane right now. I’m completely embarrassed by what’s happening, even though I’m not surprised by it.

“Yes, mother. I’m gay, and Shane is my boyfriend,” I tell her matter-of-factly, without flinching or looking away. With Shane by my side—supporting me and loving me—I no longer feel the need to completely panic over their reactions. Whatever they may be.

I sit up straight in my seat, correcting my posture and squaring my shoulders.

I know who I am, and I know I love Shane.

I’ve loved him for years.

Nothing can change that.

Shane reaches over and grabs hold of my hand under the table, squeezing it for reassurance.

“Can’t say I’m completely shocked,” my dad admits with a shrug, taking another bite of his asparagus. “There was this time when you were younger, and you only wanted to wear princess nightgowns to bed. Your mother indulged you. I told her not to?—”

“ Matthew! ” Mom hisses, giving him a death glare. “This is serious. What will everyone at the country club think? Church? ” She takes a deep breath, rubbing her forehead. “ My God. ”

I huff, completely irritated by her response.

“That’s what you’re worried about, Mom?” I roll my watery eyes because I don’t care what her shallow friends think or the church, but I can’t deny that it hurts deep down knowing that she’s only worried about their feelings when they’ve got nothing to do with my life or this family.

It would be nice for my mother to support me for once, but I really shouldn’t expect anything more from her.

It’s only setting myself up for disappointment.

My dad, however, shocks me by speaking up and defending me in his own self-centered way. “Actually, honey, the club manager’s daughter is a lesbian. I’m sure he will be very supportive of us.”