Chapter 33
MILES
Miles was ninety-nine percent sure Zach had nothing to worry about—his brothers were chill, his mom had been helping out with the wedding, and his dad…
would hopefully keep his mouth shut—but, just in case he was wrong, he couldn’t leave Zach’s side.
The years of hiding his true self and dreading this moment were coming to a head for his boyfriend—his partner—and Miles couldn’t imagine sending him into that house on his own.
Miles had been lucky in this regard. He hadn’t spent years guarding a heavy secret. He hadn’t had to hold his breath with trepidation whenever the topic of gay people came up. He hadn’t been forced to endure sleepless nights, fake smiles, overbearing guilt, and hot shame.
No, all Miles had to do was realize he was in love with his best friend and announce it to the world. Even if his parents had kicked him out, he was already an adult who could take care of himself, and he would have had Max and Mara, not to mention Zach, to lean on.
Zach hadn’t had anyone.
After kissing Zach’s wet cheeks and wiping the tears with a flannel sleeve, Miles put a hand on his lower back and gently steered him toward the front door. He would be here for Zach—would support him no matter what—but Zach had to make the first step on his own.
Zach hesitated by the door, lifting his hand to knock before changing his mind and walking in, Miles following closely behind.
After a silent moment of wondering if no one was home, there was the sound of a chair scraping against the floor, as if pushed away in a hurry, and Zach’s mom came rushing from the kitchen.
Mother and son stared at each other without saying a word, Zach’s guarded expression and wet eyes mirroring his mom’s watery smile. Miles stepped closer, tightening his hold on Zach’s hip as a silent reminder of his support, which snapped Zach out of his trance.
“Hi, Mom,” he said in a wavering voice.
“Oh, Zach, I’m so sorry!”
Evelyn grabbed Zach in a hug, holding him tightly as they both took a few ragged breaths. Miles kept his hand on Zach’s hip, his own eyes stinging with happy tears at the sight of this reunion.
When they finally separated, she leaned over to kiss Miles’s cheek. “Thank you for bringing him back, Miles. You’ve always been so good for each other.”
Miles nodded, not trusting himself to talk past the lump in his throat. Zach squeezed his wrist, mouthing, Thank you, before letting go, and Miles knew it was time to leave. He’d made sure Zach wasn’t walking into the bear’s den, and now he needed to give them space.
He cleared his throat. “I guess I’ll head out.” He hesitated for a moment, not sure whether he should kiss Zach in front of his mom, but Zach leaned in and gave him a quick peck on the lips before either one of them could overthink it.
“You’re welcome to stay,” Evelyn said with a hesitant smile, her eyes darting between the two of them. “I have blueberry pie in the oven.”
“No, I should…” He made a vague gesture in the direction of his house.
At least he hoped it was in the direction of his house.
He was feeling a bit disoriented. “My mom wanted me to arrange the chairs in the backyard before dark. Zach, will you come by later? Ray and Max want to see you, and you’re invited to the rehearsal dinner tonight.
There’s nothing to rehearse, but my mom insisted. ”
Zach smiled softly at his rambling. “I’ll text you.”
“Okay.” Miles gave him an awkward thumbs-up. “Love you.”
“Love you too.” Zach’s voice was equal parts amused and emotional. Miles cast a final glance at the two figures standing together and walked away. He’d return in a flash if Zach made any indication he wanted to leave, but he had a good feeling.
The door shut behind him with a soft click.
He squinted at the sun, higher in the sky than he’d expected.
Nervous energy vibrated through him, and he considered leaving his truck behind and walking home when a car pulled into the driveway.
Jerry and Abe hopped out and grabbed their shopping bags from the back seat before noticing him.
“Dude!” Jerry jogged up and gave him a fist bump. Abe walked up slower, slapping Miles’s hand in a high five and attempting to perform a complicated handshake.
“What’s all this stuff?” Miles asked to stall them for a few minutes. Zach and his mom needed some time alone.
“Went shopping. Hold on.” Jerry reached inside and rifled through the crinkly tissue paper, then pulled out a belt. “Check it out!”
Miles leaned in for a look. The leather was nothing special, but the heart-shaped buckle with rainbow colors drew his attention. He ran his thumb across the glossy surface and glanced up to see Jerry’s beaming smile.
“I got it for the wedding. Do you like it?”
Before Miles could answer, Abe thrust a deep-violet button-down at him. “I got this. Purple is the gay color, right?”
“I don’t think I’m the right guy to ask,” Miles said, fighting a smile. “I’ve identified as queer for, like, two months. But they’re nice. It’s sweet that you’re trying.”
“We asked one of the guys who worked there. No idea if he was gay, but he was very pretty and seemed to know his stuff.” Jerry examined the belt before shoving it back into the bag, which, judging by the logo, came from a mall an hour away.
They’d clearly put some effort into this, and Miles’s heart warmed on behalf of his brother. Max had been hiding for years, resigned to a life of secrecy. This easy acceptance and support would mean the world to him.
As the brothers made a move toward the entrance, he stopped them. “Zach’s inside with your mom. Give them a few minutes? After that, I’m sure he’d love to see what you got.”
Both of them perked up at the mention of Zach.
“That’s awesome. I gotta tell him how much I liked Lord of the Rings.” Jerry turned to Abe. “You should watch it.”
Abe glared at him. “You know I’m not into old movies.”
“It’s not exactly in black and white.” Miles snorted in amusement. “You’re only four years younger than me. How are you making me feel so ancient?”
Abe shrugged. “I don’t watch movies made before I was born.”
Jerry shook his head and smirked at Miles. “Children.”
Miles couldn’t argue with that.
After saying their goodbyes, the brothers walked around the house to the backyard, giving Zach more time with their mom.
Miles’s heart was bursting with happiness as he backed out of the driveway, relieved that Zach’s family had pushed beyond simple acceptance.
It wasn’t just the clothes or the tiny rainbow sticker on Jerry’s sedan—it was their attitude.
The unconditional love they radiated—as if that were the only option, as if they couldn’t imagine a world in which they wouldn’t love Zach no matter what.
Zach would need some time to get used to it. After years of worrying, there was no way he would take this acceptance at face value.
They’d just have to convince him.