Unearthed (The Dungeon Black Duology 1)
He’d held on to that fact, too, when he’d opened his mouth and finally confessed who he really was. A man in love with another man. A man who refused to cow down. Not to dumbfuck society. Not to Kevin’s douchebag parents. Not to anyone who dared to rebuke him. An attitude he knew wouldn’t surprise his mom. She’d been the one to instill it.
Max smiled at his hands, remembering their conversation…
“Mom, I um, have something I kinda need to tell you.”
“What is it, woodatsi?”
“Ugh. Mom. Please. This once, can I please not be your cute little bear?”
His mom frowned. “What’s wrong? Why do you look tense?”
He swallowed. Shrugged. “Probably because I am.”
She tilted her head and eyed him curiously. “You know you can tell me anything, Max. Anything at all.”
“Yeah. I know.” He nodded and looked down. Folded and unfolded his napkin.
“So? What’s bothering you? Tell me what’s wrong.”
“I’m gay,” he blurted, meeting her stare. “I’m gay, and Kevin’s my boyfriend.”
His mom stilled, her expression one of startled surprise. But then she blinked gently and smiled. “Yes, woodats—Max. I kind of suspected.”
Max froze. “You knew?”
“You are my heart. How could I not?”
“But…” Max stalled out. “Are you… disappointed? Mad?”
His mom frowned. “Why would I be? Have you done something wrong?”
Max blinked. “Uh… No?”
“Good. I was confused. Thought this was about you being gay.”
Max eyed her dubiously. Watched her pretty lips twitch. She was teasing him. Max laughed. “I love you.”
Eyes tearing, she rose up and pulled him to his feet. “I love you, too, Max.” She wrapped him in her arms. “You are perfect. Do you hear me? Absolutely perfect. With a heart so big it makes you even more so.” She eased back and cupped his face in her hands. “If being with Kevin makes you happy, then it makes me happy, too.”
Max exhaled and closed his eyes. He had the best mom ever. Would Kevin’s mom be even half as understanding? Doubtful. With a big fat capital D. Max rubbed his breastbone, heart aching for his boyfriend. For what he was enduring that very moment.
Max glanced back at his watch, then over at the phone. What the fuck was taking Kev so long? How long could the conversation possibly last? Max groaned, turning anxious. Should he call? Make sure Kevin was okay? No. What if they were in the middle of a heated exchange? Max’s involvement would only make things worse.
He fisted his hands atop his thighs. Bit his cheek. Tried to relax.
Tick—tock—tick—tock—
But it was taking so long! Kevin went to talk to them hours ago.
Screw it. Max was calling. He didn’t fucking care.
But before he could stand up to grab his phone, the thing rang to life on its own.
Kevin. Thank fuck.
Max snatched it off its hook. “Kevin? That you?”
“Yeah,” came his best friend’s raspy voice.
Max sagged in relief. “Good God, Kev. What the fuck. What took you so long? You okay?”
Silence.
“… Kev?”
A small, strangled sound.
Max tensed. “What happened?”
A couple more seconds, then finally Kevin whimpered. “It was bad, Max,” he whispered. “So fucking bad.”
God, Max could hear the guy trembling as he spoke.
Max’s heart pounded painfully. “But it’s over now, right? The hardest part’s finished. It’s over.”
“No,” Kevin choked out. “Not even close.”
Every muscle went rigid from Max’s head to his toes. “What do you mean? Kev. What’s going on?”
More strained silence. “They’re pissed,” Kevin breathed. “Max. They’re not letting it go.”
Max scowled, getting angry. “Like they have a fucking choice. Seriously. What the fuck can they do?”
“A lot.” Kevin’s voice cracked. “And they plan to, too.”
Max shoved back into his agitated pacing. “What, take you to counseling? Make you see a fucking shrink?”
“Worse. Oh, God, Max.” Kevin started to cry. “I never should have told them. So stupid.”
“Worse?” Max’s jaw clenched. His feet moved faster. “For the love of God, Kevin, just tell me.”
“They’re freezing my college funds.” Kevin choked back a sob. “Said I’m going to hell. Said I’m sick and need help.”
“Fuck. What assholes.” Max bit back a growl.
Kevin groaned through hitching breaths. “There’s more.”
More? Kevin’s bleak tone turned Max’s blood to ice.
“They’re making me go through conversion therapy.”
“What?! Are they out of their fucking minds?!”
“I know. I can’t believe it.” Kevin’s cries came harder. “That shit freaks me out, Max. I’m scared.”
“No.” Max shook his head, stalking laps around his room. “Over my dead body, Kevin. No way.”
“I don’t have a choice. They’ll disown me if I don’t. Said I’ll no longer be their son.”
“Fuck them, Kevin! And fuck their therapy! They can shove that shit up their fucking asses!”
“It’s not that easy, Max! They’re my family! My parents! I can’t fucking lose them! I can’t!”
So furious, he was shaking, Max gripped the phone tighter. “You don’t need them,” he ground out. “They’re assholes. They’re poison. They’ve always been poison, Kevin. You know this.”