Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 35498 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 177(@200wpm)___ 142(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35498 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 177(@200wpm)___ 142(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
Oliver was there with them now. Alive and brunching, despite his radio silence. What was he supposed to do with that information? Rory’s idea was shite, wasn’t it? Showing up at the restaurant to surprise his boyfriend’s family?
Yes. Bad idea. Horrible idea.
He kept trying to talk himself out of it as he showered and dressed. Rory had just worked a double, hadn’t had any sleep and wasn’t exactly known for his well-thought-out decision making on his best day. No way would anyone else tell him this was a smart move.
But what were his other choices? Waiting for Oliver to eventually answer his phone so they could pick up where they left off? With him coming and going whenever he had a moment free and Matthew waiting for him to feel secure enough in their relationship to take the next step?
Fuck, this was crazy, he thought as he started his car and entered the address into his GPS. But he was feeling crazy. Yesterday he’d come to the realization that settling for pieces of Oliver wasn’t enough for him. That he needed to confront the situation head on, instead of pretending it didn’t exist.
Now fate and his interfering relatives had given him an opening. A mountain for him to conquer. Either he’d end up like Kate’s girlfriend, walking away with the knowledge that despite his claims to the contrary, Oliver wasn’t really in love with him. Or he’d make him realize that he didn’t have to choose between keeping his family happy and being happy.
One way or another, Matthew would get his answers.
He made it there in record time, psyching himself up in the car before he headed toward the restaurant. The door opened and he was instantly hit by a wall of laughter and loud conversation that he usually associated with the Finns.
That it came from the Garcia family wasn’t a question. Oliver had mentioned his family was big, but damn. It looked like they took up most of the restaurant.
They had several tables pushed together like crowded planets orbiting a central figure—the lovely older woman in the middle, who happened to look a hell of a lot like the man Matthew loved.
For the children playing around her, the beefy men with tattoos and dark mustaches and a few women who reminded him of his middle school teachers, Olivia Garcia was clearly the star attraction. They kept cheering and raising their glasses to her and—shit. Was this a party for her? Had he decided to make his last stand on this nice old woman’s first birthday since her stroke?
And as quickly as that, his kamikaze mission was officially canceled. He needed to leave now, clinging to whatever dignity he had left.
Something hit the back of his head and he turned, seeing Rory placing another cube of ice on his spoon for aiming while David tried to snatch it from his hand. He got to their table in two large strides and slid in beside Rig. “This isn’t happening.”
“I have a lot of weird dreams, but you’re not usually in them. I say this is definitely happening.”
“Rory, damn it, they’re celebrating something,” he whispered urgently. “Can’t you see that?”
Rory’s nod was adamant. “Exactly. If it was a post-funeral brunch, I’d say your timing was off. But they couldn’t be in a better mood. Go get your man and give them something else to toast to.”
David offered Matthew an apologetic smile. “We heard that they’re not all that comfortable with Oliver’s sexuality, and I’m not saying I completely agree with Rory’s idea. But people can surprise you.”
“People can also be shocked into having their beliefs reinforced,” Matthew countered. “Or feel pressured and shut down without listening to reason. Now I don’t have that much experience embarrassing myself in front of people I care about, but I’m still thinking this would be the worst time for me to announce my existence to my boyfriend’s religious and fairly conservative family. Making a scene won’t get me what I want.”
Rig’s shoulders were shaking and Matthew glared. “You disagree?”
“I’m sorry. I’m not laughing at you, but did you ever hear about the time Rory kissed his straight friend at Owen and Jeremy’s highly publicized wedding? Right in front of his homophobic father?”
“There was mistletoe,” Rory mumbled into his water glass.
“That was definitely a scene.” David’s grin was warm as he wrapped his arm around Rory’s shoulder. “It was meant to be, since your old man deserved a little pissing off.”
“It wasn’t all about him.” They shared a smile and Matthew dropped his head to the table with a thud.
Love had addled their brains.
But you’re the sane one?
“Matthew?”
Oh hell. He knew that voice. Wishing he could sink into the diamond-patterned carpet, he forced himself to look up at Oliver’s shocked expression. “Hey.”
Hey again. Kill me now.
Rig, David and Rory offered matching waves and Oliver’s beautiful eyes grew worryingly wide. When he turned back to Matthew, his lowered voice resounded like a shout. “Bathroom. One minute.”