Chapter 30 #2
After a few minutes, we pull up to the same restaurant we came to when Chad first moved here and wanted to surprise me.
It’s strange to think about how much has changed between us since then.
I was so worried about people in town asking questions, about drawing attention to us, but looking back, I’m not really sure why.
Who gives a shit what other people think?
Not me, and I want to be here with Chad.
I want people to see us together. I’m lucky he wants to be here with me too.
When we walk inside the restaurant, Chad looks like a kid on Christmas morning as I ask Marianne for a table for two.
“Will you order for me again?” Chad asks as soon as we sit down, not bothering to open his menu.
I smirk. “Do you want me to order for you?”
“It was pretty hot,” he acknowledges, biting his lip.
I nod and order for both of us. After our waiter leaves, Chad sits up straighter.
“Okay, I know we kind of did things backwards with this relationship, but I’d love to treat this like a real first date.
Will you tell me more about your life? I know your brothers, but I’d love to know more about your family in general. ”
I bite back an amused laugh at the thought of treating this like a first date when we’ve done so much together already—when I’m planning for so much more—but he’s right. I like the idea of him knowing about me. I think I want him to know everything.
“Well, my parents are retired,” I start.
“My dad ran the construction company my brothers own now for his whole adult life. My mom was a receptionist at a dentist’s office and helped my dad with some of the admin stuff with the business.
They live in town, and I should probably see them more than I do.
They’re good people, but they know I like to keep to myself and respect that now. ”
“Do they know you’re gay?” Chad asks, and he looks utterly fascinated like I’m talking about something far more interesting than my parents. “Oh my God, did your brothers know when you said you wanted me naked the other day?”
I snort a laugh. “They know. I never actually thought they’d care, I just didn’t really feel the need to tell them when I was still living at home.
But after Luke passed, my mom spent a while trying to convince me to move back.
She kept attempting to set me up on dates with the single women who still lived in town, so I finally told her that I had no interest in dating women. ”
“Did anyone in your family care?”
I shrug. “I don’t think so, we never really talked about it, but they all know.”
“That’s kind of how it was with my parents too. They just want me to be happy, so I knew they wouldn’t care.”
I shake my head. “I still can’t believe you told them when you did.”
“I tell my parents almost everything,” he explains with his usual cheery tone. “Okay, what about your brothers? Tell me more about them.”
“James is the oldest; he’s six years older than me.
He’s married. His wife, Kelly, is a physical therapist, and he doesn’t have any kids, but I think they’ve talked about wanting some.
Mark is next; he’s four years older than me.
Until about a year ago he was dating the same girl he’d been with since high school.
Everyone assumed they’d get married, and I have no idea why they ended things.
Drew is three years younger than me, and he’s single.
I don’t think he’s ever seriously dated anyone.
He’s in the band that played at Liam and Blake’s wedding. They’ll be playing Saturday, too.”
Chad’s eyes go wide. “Holy shit! I didn’t know that! They were so good at the wedding!”
“Yeah.” I chuckle. “I hated sharing a room with him growing up because he was constantly attempting to play his shitty old guitar, but he actually got pretty good.”
“Oh my God, I’m even more excited for Saturday now!”
“What about your family?” I ask, bringing the conversation back to him after the waiter interrupts us and sets our food on the table.
Chad digs into his dish immediately without responding, only moaning.
“Oh God, this is so good, John! I want you to order for me everywhere we go,” he gets out after he’s finished chewing.
I smirk and nod, loving the reminder that Chad is also planning a future for us. “I can do that.”
He sits up straighter, beaming. “Okay, right, my turn. I’m an only child, and my parents are so important to me. My dad runs a financial processing company, and he hired me to do internal sales, so I mostly just called existing customers and talked to them. It was fun!”
“I’m sure they all missed your endless enthusiasm when they hired your replacement.”
“Maybe.” Chad nods thoughtfully. “But I’m sure Dad’s hiring team found great people.”
Then he dives into another bite of his dinner, still acting as though it’s the best meal he’s ever eaten when I know for a fact he’s used to much fancier options in the city.
When he first showed up here, I was so convinced he would get bored of this town and realize moving here was a mistake, but his ability to truly enjoy life seems endless.
His joy is contagious in a way that has me appreciating this place I’ve spent my whole life more than I ever believed was possible.
Our waiter asks if we’d like dessert, and Chad’s eyes go wide when I order us cake.
“Are we celebrating anything?” he teases after the waiter walks away, and it makes me smile as I remember how dismissive I was when he brought me a cupcake.
I shrug. “Maybe. Or maybe you were right, and I don’t actually need an excuse to enjoy something fun.”
I swear Chad’s smile is as big as I’ve ever seen it.
“Ready to go home?” I check after we’ve completely finished dessert.
“Yes, whisk me away to your bed,” Chad suggests dramatically as if this really is a first date.
Good thing it’s not because I don’t think many first dates end with edging or restraints and hot wax.