Goal Lines & First Times (CU Hockey 3)

Joe stands behind him shaking his head.

“Missed you too,” I say dryly.

Logan backs up, and his blue eyes land on my boyfriend. As if knowing exactly who he is, Logan smiles. “Did that exploring I was talking about, I see.”

“Yep. And it kinda worked out for me.” I pull Seth forward. “This is my boyfriend, Seth. Seth, this is Lo and Joe. Only ever call them that.”

“Hi,” Seth says awkwardly. How twin brothers can be so opposite is amazing to me. Foster can charm the pants off anyone by smiling, but I wouldn’t change Seth for the world.

“He’s nervous,” I say. “I haven’t exactly told Mom and Dad yet.”

“Aww, you saved coming out for where I can witness it?” Logan says. “This is going to be the best dinner ever.”

Seth audibly gulps, and I pull him to my side.

“It’ll be fine.”

“Uh-huh. Umm, do you have a bathroom I can hide in while you get it over with?”

I laugh. “Hey, nothing will beat the way you came out to your parents. This will be easy compared to explaining that one.”

Seth chuckles. “Yes, at least I’m not naked.”

Logan’s eyes widen. “I so need to hear that story.”

Mom and Dad choose that moment to come through the back door.

“You’ll have to wait.” I take a step away from Seth and lead him to the dinner table while I help Mom serve up the copious amount of food she’s made for us.

I knew I wouldn’t have to warn her about Seth coming because she always cooks too much.

Dad introduces himself to Seth with a handshake, and Seth looks at me with wide eyes as if to say, “Is it going to happen now? I’m not ready!”

The sooner I put him out of his misery, the better, I think.

“So, uh, the big news,” I say, standing in the middle of the kitchen while my mother putters about.

She stops and turns, her gaze flitting between Seth and me, and I get the feeling she already knows what’s going to come out of my mouth.

“Seth and I … We’re, umm, together. Like Logan and Joe are ... uh, together.”

“So I don’t have to set up the spare bedroom,” Mom says.

I laugh. “No.”

“Okay then. That makes my life a lot easier.” She goes back to pulling food out of the oven.

Dad squeezes Seth’s shoulder, and my boyfriend flinches. “Welcome to the family, then. Let’s eat, I’m starving.”

Seth, Logan, Joe, and I look around at each other with the same “What just happened?” expression.

“That’s it?” Logan asks. “When I came out to Mom and Dad, they had a lot more to say. Not all of it was … great.”

Mom puts down the plate of food in the middle of the table and wraps her arms around Logan. “I know, sweetie. But your parents were shocked at your news.”

My mouth hangs open. “Say what now?”

“Well, your best friend is gay,” Dad says. “You’ve never had a serious girlfriend.”

“But I’ve been with girls, mentioned girls, had girls calling the house …”

“Which is why we weren’t certain,” Mom says. “But we’ve had discussions about this over the years that if you are gay—”

“I’m bi.”

“Okay, well, yes, we’d agreed if you ever came home with a boy, we’d accept you and not make you feel like it was any different than if you were bringing a girl home. Was that wrong? Because I can shower you with affection and reassurance if that’s what you want? I can make a big song and dance about it.”

I give my boyfriend an I told you so look. “Not making it a big deal is good with me.”

“Me too,” Seth says.

“Too late,” Mom says and then gets out her jazz hands. Not even kidding. And now she’s singing. Yikes. “It doesn’t matter if you’re gay or straight, we’ll still love you and think you’re great—”

“Please go back to not making it a big deal,” I plead.

She slumps. “Fine. Have it your way. Who’s hungry?”

I take my seat next to Seth. “That was easy.”

“You’re kind of forgetting something …” Seth prompts.

“Oh, right.” I lift my head. “Mom, Dad, also … Montreal has offered me a job in their PR department, so, uh, I’m moving to Canada. With Seth. But the good news is, it’s only like an extra hour away? So I’ll still be able to come see you guys over summers and stuff.”

“And this is what you want to do with your life?” Dad asks.

“I … I think so? I mean, it’s hockey, and it puts that degree you guys paid for to good use.”

They both seem to sag in relief. Like, yes, our once lost son has found a purpose!

“Then we probably have some news of our own,” Dad says.

Mom smiles at Dad, who clears his throat.

“We’ve, uh, had someone interested in buying the house and the business to turn into the biggest recreational fishing place in Maine. They’re talking about using the house as an actual storefront and running the back shop as an on-water stop-in.”