Chapter 31 #2
“I am gay,” Erin quietly repeated the words with such force, they were almost hissed. “I won’t marry a man. I won’t give you grandchildren. After what you did to my brothers, and to me, you don’t deserve grandchildren.”
Our father’s eyes searched her face and he whispered, “I did everything for you.”
“Yeah, while ignoring your five sons! You thought I was happy about that?” She pointed a finger at me.
“Look at him! How amazing he’s become. And he’s got this handsome partner, too, and you won’t even look at him.
Or say hi to his boyfriend! What the hell is wrong with you that you can’t take joy in your kids unless you’ve twisted us into this weird carbon copy of yourselves? ”
Mom protested, tears streaming from her eyes. “I do love you!”
“I don’t give a fuck if you do,” Erin snapped. “Your love is conditional! Clearly, since you can’t love your sons because of gender disappointment. Which is the stupidest thing on the planet.”
Mom lowered her eyes, and she seemed to be at a loss for how to turn the situation around, what to say to quell Erin’s anger.
Good luck. It wasn’t happening.
Erin was done with the show at this point and turned for the truck once more. “Don’t bother contacting me. I’m done with both of you. I’ll come to your funerals. Maybe.”
I had no plan to even attend their funerals, so she had more grace in her than I did.
Gage took her backpack and led her toward his truck. I didn’t follow because I wasn’t about to turn my back on these two. Even with cops on hand. I’d get a brick to the back of my head.
Mom instinctively ran after Erin, trying to grab her from behind, but Madison was faster. She intercepted Mom before she could actually get hold of Erin, forcing her back.
“Ma’am. Don’t make this harder than it is.”
“You get out of the way, she’s my baby!”
“No, she’s your adult daughter, and she’s told you she’s done. Maybe sit and reflect on everything you’ve done wrong, to the point she orchestrated police presence in order to leave you.”
Mom stared at Madison as if her presence had just now penetrated.
I think she’d been so focused on Erin, she hadn’t thought through why police would be here, but now you could see realization spread over her face.
The horror of it—how her own daughter didn’t trust her and had made sure police were here to stop them from keeping Erin here.
My father, of course, kept on yelling.
“You can’t do this, we haven’t broken any laws! GET OUT OF THE WAY!”
Erin ignored them, climbing into Gage’s truck.
I glanced at Zar, but he waved me on. I mean, it probably would be easier to de-escalate the situation with Erin no longer here.
I shrugged, mouthed Sorry at him, then threw Erin’s duffel into the back seat before climbing into the passenger side.
The second my door closed, Gage started the engine.
The entire time, our parents screamed at us, mostly alternating between threats directed at me for daring to take Erin, and pleas for Erin to come back and talk. I ignored it all, as did Erin, who resolutely faced forward.
Gage backed out of the driveway, and through the window I caught glimpses of both Zar and Madison physically holding our parents back so they couldn’t throw themselves in front of the truck. Which they absolutely would have done if left to their own devices.
Erin blew out a noisy, relieved breath the second we turned off their street. “I’m so glad you have cop friends.”
“Me too. That wasn’t quite as ugly as I feared it would be, but I think that’s only because we caught them by surprise. You must have done a great job acting and holding it in.”
“I did. I realized it would be worse, so much worse, if they realized what I planned. I wanted to make sure I had all of my paperwork, like my birth certificate and crap like that, so they didn’t have any leverage over me.
” Erin leaned between the seats to put her head against my shoulder. “What a birthday.”
“Yeah.”
I felt for her, I did. As relieved as she must have felt to finally be free, this was hardly a celebration for becoming an adult.
“Your real birthday plans are still good. Grandma’s got the party set up for you with your friends in about two hours.
We figured you’d want to decompress a little first.”
“I love her.”
“Your new phone and laptop are also waiting for you in your room.”
She hugged my arm for a second. “You’re the best big brother in the world. I’ve got awesome brothers. And thanks, Gage, for backing us up.”
“You’re quite welcome.”
“You’ll stay for my party?”
“Absolutely. Wouldn’t miss it. Well, I have to pop out and do something, but I’ll come back.”
“Cool. You should at least get cake for helping with my rescue.”
“I take cake as a form of payment, for sure.”
I didn’t ask how she felt, as it was kind of obvious in some ways. She’d likely be sorting through emotions for a while yet, so I’d already set up a therapist for her, too. She had a lot to unpack, much like I had, and it was better she start on that sooner rather than later.
When we pulled into my driveway, our grandmother’s car was already parked on the side parking pad.
I stepped out, grabbed Erin’s bag, and ushered her in. Sadly, she’d never once visited my house—our parents wouldn’t have allowed it—so this was her first time seeing it. She took it in, nodding in approval.
“It’s really cute. Not at all what I expected from you.”
“Why, ’cause there’s no tire hanging off a tree limb?”
“Well, no, you like things neat. I just didn’t expect cute from you.” Erin didn’t even slow down, instead waltzing right through the front door. “Grandma, I’m here!”
Grandma was in the kitchen, as per usual, but she immediately bustled out when summoned. She swooped in to give Erin a hug, and that hug went both ways.
“How did it go?” Grandma asked anxiously.
“Lots of yelling, some denials, but apparently Mom had realized Erin was gay because the reveal wasn’t a surprise to her. She didn’t fight as hard as I expected, meaning no punches were thrown. More yelling than anything. Bad enough both Zar and Madison had to intervene.”
Gage shrugged, hands splayed. “That’s fine, they expected to. So long as you two made a clean escape, it was worth the effort.”
Erin looked around, all while plucking at her skirt. “Don’t take this wrong, but I’m dying to get out of this fucking outfit.”
“There’s a pit in the backyard if you want to burn it later,” I offered.
Erin cackled. Looney Tunes cackled. “Yes! Such a wonderful idea.”
“Before you do, as I need to get back to work, I wanted to present my gift.” Gage doubled back toward the kitchen table, then handed an envelope over.
Erin took it, curious, and opened the card. It was a funny one, reading: Top Secret Birthday Essentials inside! It had a faux sort of government seal on it. She open the card and laughed. The inside read: Secret birthday money enclosed, use inappropriately as much as possible.
Along with a gift card to a shoe store. Smart of the man.
“Thank you so much, Gage, this card rocks.” Erin closed in and gave him a quick hug.
He looked pleased his gift had been taken well. “You’re very welcome. I figured a gift card to help you shop for shoes you like was a good bet.”
“You’re completely correct. If I never see high heels again, it’ll be too soon.”
“I bet. I’ll swing by after work to get some cake. I’ve got to scoot now, I’ve got an inspection I’m scheduled for.”
I didn’t have words to explain how much his support, his desire to be there this morning, meant to me. God, this man was a keeper. He knew how to properly take care of people. I escorted him out, giving Erin a chance to change, and because I wanted a quick conversation with him.
Gage didn’t say a word until we reached his truck. Then he turned, taking my hand in his. “How are you doing?”
“Honestly? It’s some kind of mix between relieved it’s over and pissed off.
Even with me standing there, speaking to them, it’s like I was a brick wall.
They didn’t even glance at me. To think they honestly consider themselves good parents is just…
” I snorted in disgust. “And Erin’s right, they didn’t fight as hard for her as I suspected they would.
I really expected them to resort to violence.
But when she told them flat out she’s gay, I could see the change in their eyes.
How they recoiled from her, emotionally.
I think in a few months, they’ll change their tune completely about her, they’ll say she was always this problematic child.
She’s no longer the light of their lives. ”
“That’s…pathetic. And kind of scary.”
“Preach, honey, preach. I owe Zar and Madison a massive favor. Those two were rockstars today.”
Gage shrugged. “You can always throw a birthday bash at the bar for them. Their birthdays are only a week apart, so sometimes we throw them a joint party.”
“Yeah? I’ll keep that in mind. I know you’ve got to go, but come by later for cake, okay?”
“I promise I will.” He paused, really looking me over. “I think I better do my inspection and come straight back.”
I selfishly wanted him to do just that, but… “Are you sure you can?”
“Yeah, nothing immediate or urgent today except the inspection.” He kissed my forehead like a promise. “I’ll be back in two or three hours, okay? Hopefully I’ll make it back by the start of the party.”
I felt better hearing that. I could lean on Gage without feeling like I was oversharing or being a burden. I hadn’t argued with him being here today because it had been reassuring to have him with me.
He gave me a kiss and a long hug, and those two things grounded me like nothing else could. Then I let him drive off, even though I would have preferred he stayed with me.
It was fine, I was an adult, I could deal. I didn’t want to, but I could. He’d be back in two hours or so anyway.
I headed back inside and found Erin had indeed changed and now wore shorts and a tank top. The outfit suited her much better than that fluffy white monstrosity she’d worn.
“I get a haircut tomorrow?” she asked Grandma, voice rising in excitement. “You are seriously the best!”
Grandma hugged her, a smile stretching from ear to ear. “I know how much you want to hack it off. That’s my present to you.”
“You couldn’t have picked a better present.
” Erin turned to me, still beaming. “This is now becoming the best birthday ever thanks to you two. My room’s perfect, I love everything you did, and it’s so much more me.
And Gage! Wow, he’s stunning. Logan, I love you, but you understand why I have to ask—how the hell did you get that man’s attention? ”
“I honestly have no idea, but I’m running with it.”
“Smart man.”
Grandma had a You two are being idiots look. “Logan is very handsome in his own way.”
“Spoken like a doting grandmother.” I leaned down to kiss her forehead.
I was attractive in my own way, I owned that, but I agreed with Erin. Gage was stunning, and I still wasn’t sure how I’d caught his attention. I just felt grateful I had.
But today was my little sister’s day. I urged her, “Get your new phone. Start copying over phone numbers from mine. Our brothers made me swear you’d call them once you were free.”
“Oh, shit, I need to do that!” She immediately dove back into her room.
My house was about to be much livelier than before. And likely swarming with teenagers, as I’d be much more relaxed about them hanging out here. I didn’t mind, since Erin deserved freedom and space to be herself in.
That said, with Cooper now living with Gage for the foreseeable future, I was a little concerned about finding alone time with my boyfriend.
Hotels might be a common thing in our future.