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 had been hesitant to join Matthew at that first family meal, but everyone had immediately put him at ease. It was clear he shined in the accepting environment. He belonged there. Sometimes it seemed that he was more at ease in the crowd than Matthew had ever been.
He grew up in a big family, so he knows what they’re like. He told you so.
And wasn’t that the problem in a nutshell? Oliver had told him. All Matthew knew was what he’d been told. He didn’t have any firsthand knowledge of the Garcia clan, because he still hadn’t met any of them. Not even Ruben, the cousin who’d gifted Oliver with a small used car months ago so he could have his lowrider back.
Oliver knew nearly every child and significant other that was connected to him by blood or marriage. So well that they included him in group texts and scheduling emails. Unlike Kate’s girlfriend, Oliver had actually been invited to William and Bronte’s anniversary party, though he hadn’t been able to make it.
Three months ago, Matthew had asked Oliver to live with him. They’d confessed their love and he’d been impatient to start sharing their life. Meeting his family had been the only sticking point, and Oliver’s main concern, since the Garcia’s didn’t like to discuss the fact that Oliver was gay.
Matthew had wanted to meet them then. He still wanted to. But after all this time the man he loved was still hesitating.
“Hey now, that face looks serious,” Ken said, his hand on his shoulder. “Why don’t you sit down and tell us what’s going on?”
Matthew shook his head, but he didn’t pull away. “You’re busy.”
Brady sighed. “We were, but you already interrupted that. You might as well stay. Need anything to drink to share your tale of woe?”
Matthew declined and sat down, staring at his hands and wondering what the fuck was wrong with him. He’d just spent the morning having steamy sex with the man of his dreams. Was he looking for trouble? Or had he missed the signs from the start because he’d been too in love to notice?
“I feel like an idiot,” he said quietly. “I’m crazy about a beautiful man who makes me happier than I knew I was allowed to be. He’s patient and funny, my sister and brother both love him…”
“We all love him,” Brady agreed easily. Matthew winced. “Are we not supposed to love him? Has he done something wrong?”
“Nothing wrong, no. But it struck me today that he might not be on the same page. About me, I mean.”
“I have a hard time believing that.” Ken brought his knee up, leaning against Brady with an ease that conveyed intimacy and comfort. Trust. “It’s clear to anyone that’s seen you together how in love you are.”
Was it though? What Ken and Brady had was clear. And Owen and Jeremy couldn’t be more obvious. But he and Oliver? Matthew wished he was still as confident about that as he’d been last night.
“That’s perspective. I’m talking about facts. And there are two basic facts about Oliver, two things that have defined him since I met him. He loves his family, would do anything for them. And whether he’s teaching or performing, he’s dedicated to his dancing.”
He hesitated, not wanting to say the words out loud and make them real. “And it’s those two things he’s shut me out of completely. He’s never, not once, invited me to see him dance, though I think that’s more about his family than anything.”
“What do you mean?”
“Because his parents died when he was a baby, the rest of his family took an extra interest in his life. They tease him, especially his macho cousins—his words—but they’re all very supportive of his dancing. If he’s in a play, they’ll buy tickets. One or two of them might stop by his rehearsals with a lunch made by their grandmother. The reason he came to William’s gym in the first place was because they have a tendency of checking in on him wherever he is, and he didn’t want their advice on his boxing technique.”
Or for them to know that he was being harassed by his cousin’s friend.
Ken’s brow furrowed. “I’m confused. Why does Oliver having a supportive family stop him from inviting you to a performance?”
“They don’t know about us.”
“What?” Brady’s question was heavy with surprise.
“They support him in everything, except his sexuality. He loves them, so for him it’s not worth it to push the issue. Or it wasn’t, until I came along. I wanted him to move in with me months ago, but he said I needed to meet his family first, which was fine with me. Only now, no matter how many times I’ve asked about them or how many hints I’ve thrown his way, he still hasn’t introduced me.” Matthew swore under his breath. “To be honest, I’m not sure they even know I exist. Even as his friend.”