Chapter 31
31
GERARD
D inner was a success. The dessert was delicious. Reliving my most embarrassing childhood memories? Priceless… not .
After Mom took Lily upstairs for her nighttime bath, Dad brought Elliot and me into the family room. I thought we were going to watch some old highlight reels of my dad’s time at BSU or play some NHL 16 . But once again, stupidity strikes.
“And this is Gerard with our dog, Fido—may he rest in peace—recreating the Coppertone ad.”
“Dad!” I stare in horror as Dad proudly displays a photo of ten-year-old me with my butt hanging out as Fido tugs at my swim trunks. Elliot cackles to the point that tears stream down his face.
“Aww, look at that cute little tush!” Dad coos. “You were such a chubby little kid, Gerard. We couldn’t keep you in clothes half the time.”
My face burns hotter than a stove set to four hundred and twenty-five degrees. I want to dive behind the couch and hide forever.
“Oh, and this one!” Dad flips to the next page, revealing a gap-toothed, bowl-cut sporting version of myself covered head to toe in mud. “Gerard loved making mud pies in the backyard. Remember, son?”
“How could I forget?” I growl through clenched teeth. Elliot snickers beside me, clearly relishing my pain.
Dad continues his onslaught, each photo more humiliating than the last. There I am, dressed as a sunflower for the Elk Valley Elementary School play. Caught mid-scream on the Log Flume ride at Six Flags. And who could forget the classic “Gerard crying on Santa’s lap” portrait?
“Anyone need a refill?” Dad holds up the empty wine bottle. Elliot and I shake our heads, but that doesn’t stop him. “I’m gonna grab another from the cellar. You boys behave now!”
He saunters off, and I turn to Elliot, my face still flaming. “I am so, so sorry about him. He doesn’t get out much these days, and I think the excitement of having company is going to his head, and?—”
“Gerard, relax.” Elliot places a finger on my lips, and I go cross-eyed, trying to look at it. “Your dad is great. He loves you a lot.”
“Yeah, but did he have to break out the baby pictures? I mean, come on.”
Elliot chuckles. “I think it’s sweet. And honestly, it’s nice to see this side of you.”
I blink at him, surprised. “You… enjoy seeing me embarrassed?”
“Well, yeah. It’s a refreshing change from the untouchable hockey god persona everyone bestows on you back at BSU.”
Elliot shifts, lifting one leg to straddle my lap. My breath catches in my throat as he settles his weight on me. His warm brown eyes soften as they gaze into mine.
“Gerard Anthony Gunnarson.” Gosh, if him full naming me isn’t hot as sin. “You are the most ridiculous, adorable, infuriating man I’ve ever met. And I’m glad that I did—meet you.”
“You mean that?” I hate how childish I sound, but I desperately need to hear his answer.
Elliot nods, his fingers playing with the short hairs at the nape of my neck. Goosebumps prickle my skin at his touch. “Of course I do. I love seeing the parts of your life I wasn’t around for.”
I tighten my arms around him as emotion clogs my throat. “Really? Even the time when I cried on Santa’s lap or made mud pies in the backyard…and then ate them?”
Elliot throws his head back and laughs. “Oh, Gerard. Yes. I love seeing and knowing all there is about the man I’m falling for, mud pies and all.”
He kisses me, showing me how much I mean to him. I quickly lose myself in the taste of Elliot, in the comfort of his body pressed against me and his fingers tangling in my hair. The rest of the world doesn’t matter right now.
A loud cough shatters the spell, and Elliot and I spring apart like scaredy cats.
I whip my head around to see my dad standing in the doorway with a new bottle of wine and a mile-wide grin. “Don’t stop on my account, boys. I can always go back to the cellar and search for that bottle of ’96 Bordeaux.”
I groan, burying my flaming face in Elliot’s neck as he shakes with silent laughter.
“That won’t be necessary, Gavin. I think I’m going to call it a night.” Dad chuckles and takes a seat as Elliot gets off my lap and heads for the stairs. “You coming?”
“In a few minutes. I want to talk to my dad about something.”
Nodding, Elliot disappears up the stairs to my bedroom, and I face my dad, who studies me from over the rim of his wine glass.
“I like him,” Dad says simply. “He’s got a good head on his shoulders. Sharp as a tack. And he cares about you a great deal.”
My smile widens. “I like him too, Dad. A lot. More than I’ve ever liked anyone before.”
It feels good to say it out loud. To acknowledge these feelings that have been growing inside me since I first saw Elliot in the library. It’s scary, like when you’re standing at the top of a ski jump with your heart pounding and adrenaline surging through your veins. But it’s also so amazingly exciting that I want to leap with my eyes closed.
Dad reaches over and claps a hand on my knee. “I’m happy for you, son. Truly. It’s about damn time you found someone who makes you light up like this.”
I duck my head. “Thanks, Dad. That means a lot.”
We sit in silence, listening to the crackle of the fireplace and the distant sound of Mom’s off-key singing as she puts Lily to bed.
Dad leans forward, and his expression turns serious. “What was it you wanted to talk to me about, Gerard? Is everything okay?”
I take a deep breath. “Yeah, everything’s fine. It’s just…Elliot mentioned something to me yesterday, and it’s been bothering me ever since.”
Dad frowns, concern etching lines into his smooth forehead. “What is it?”
“As we came into town, a bunch of people came up to see me. They were standoffish with Elliot, and he said it’s because he’s Hispanic.”
The words taste bitter on my tongue, and anger and disbelief war in my gut. I can’t comprehend how anyone could look at Elliot, with his kind eyes and brilliant mind, and see anything other than a wonderful human being.
Dad leans back in his chair and runs a hand down his face. He suddenly appears much older than his forty-two years.
“I wish I could say I’m surprised, but the truth is, Elk Valley has always been a bit…closed-minded. Set in its ways. Change doesn’t come easy to folks around here.”
I shake my head, frustration simmering under my skin. “But that’s not right, Dad. Elliot doesn’t deserve to be treated like an outcast. He’s one of the smartest, most talented people I know. He should be celebrated, not shunned.”
“I agree with you, son. Wholeheartedly. But you have to understand that a lot of people here have lived in this town their whole lives. They haven’t experienced other places or met people who don’t all look or think the same.”
I nod, absorbing my dad’s words. It’s difficult to grasp that the town where I grew up, the place filled with cherished memories, could also hold such narrow-minded views.
“Listen, Gerard. Your mom and I chose to raise you and Lily here primarily because of the school system. It’s one of the best in the state, and we wanted to give you kids every opportunity to succeed. But we always knew about Elk Valley’s limitations.” He takes a sip of his wine, carefully choosing his next words. “Your mom and I tried our best to instill in you the values of embracing people for who they are, not what their skin color is or where they come from. We taught you to stand up for what’s right, even when it’s difficult.”
I remember all the times Dad took me aside after hockey practice, reminding me to include the new kid struggling to keep up. Or when Mom would invite coworkers over for dinner, even though they weren’t as financially stable as we were.
“I remember,” I say softly. “You and Mom always made sure Lily and I understood the importance of acceptance and kindness.”
Dad smiles, pride shining in his eyes. “And you’ve grown into an incredible young man because of it, son. Don’t ever forget that.” He grips my shoulder, his callused palm rough against my shirt. “But now it’s time for you to put those values into practice. You’ll need to be his rock when people can’t see past the color of his skin.”
The thought of anyone mistreating Elliot, of judging him based on something so superficial, makes my blood boil. “I will, Dad. I won’t let anyone disrespect Elliot. Not here, not anywhere. He means too much to me.”
Dad nods, satisfied. “I know you won’t, son. You’re a Gunnarson through and through. We stand up for our beliefs and protect the ones we love.”
Love .
The word resonates in my mind and seeps into the cracks and crevices of my heart. Could this be what I’m feeling? This all-consuming, breath-stealing, world-tilting emotion I have for Elliot. Is it love?
I think about how my pulse races whenever he enters a room.
How I smile whenever he flashes me that rare and precious smile of his.
Even how I end up weak in the knees every time he gives me an orgasm.
Holy snickers! I’m in love with Elliot.
And it couldn’t be more obvious.