“Why not go out in it? You’ll look good, like you always do. I’ve seen some of the pictures.”
Corey shook his head, a shadow fluttering over his face before disappearing. “Not yet.”
“Don’t hide who you are. You look good today but less you than normal.”
“It’s okay for you, Cain; you can be who you want to be. You know I get shit thrown at me? I mean actual shit just because I like to wear...” He trailed off, and Cain pulled him into his side.
“Don’t stop being you, Cor.”
“How can I be me when being me gets me hurt?”
Cain kissed Corey’s forehead and held him as he shuddered. “Never hide who you are, Cor, and if you need someone to go out with you, then call and I’ll be there. You have your big burly brothers and now lots and lots of cousins. Any one of my brothers would be there in an instant if you needed help.”
“I shouldn’t have to have protection when I go out. It never used to be like this. I always got the looks and occasional slur thrown my way but recently...what changed?”
“Do you need to ask? People think they can be more open with their hatred now. They don’t care if you look and sound like them. If you like the same things they do but look even slightly different, then they think it’s open season.”
“Was it like this in London?”
“Yes and no. It was becoming worse when I left, but nowhere near as bad as here. We’re lucky we have a strong supportive family who will stand by us. Not everyone has that. Dad married someone great in Lydia.”
“Aunt Lydia is awesome.”
“We have a fantastic family who will support us no matter what.”
“Anton,” Corey whispered. “I still wonder why he never said a thing, but then I remember what I was like at that age, dressing in Mom’s things and acting like I was pretending when I really liked doing it.”
“Anton has us all, and he is improving. It’ll take time, but I hope one day he can be the man he’s meant to be and not hide. Just like you.”
Corey sighed and sat up. “I’m in a funk, but I’ll get out of it.”
“I’m telling you to go on a vacation and let your hair down.”
Corey stood and stretched, his lithe body on show. Cain grinned. Any man would be lucky to have Corey. “I’ll have a look when I get home.”
“We’ll go out before you leave. Dress up in your favorite outfit and shine.”
Corey tapped his lip with his pink nail. “I have the exact outfit in mind. Drag my cousin out too. Archer needs a good night out.”
“Good. Go and book some time away. Recharge and come back glowing and fabulous. I’ll give you the details of the place I stayed. They weren’t bothered by me and Archer, so they won’t be bothered by you.”
“Thank you.”
Cain hugged Corey. “You’re welcome, but no more feeling sorry for yourself. You are who you’re meant to be, and don’t let the haters stop you.”
Corey nodded and stepped away. “Time to book a vacation.”
“Has he booked somewhere?” Archer asked as Cain drove over to their parent’s house.
“The same place we met. He managed to get a late deal so he’ll fly out next week.”
“What about his job?”
“He works with Dustin, so it was okay.”
“Let’s hope it works for him like it did for us.”
“Are you ready?”
Archer groaned, but nodded. “We’re gonna get asked a lot of questions.”
“That’s what parents do, and everyone knows. Don’t worry.”
“Yeah, but ours are now married, so there’ll be lots and lots of questions.”
“They know about us, Archer, so it’ll be easier. We just need to show them we’re serious and that this isn’t some fling.”
“Or an extension of one.” Archer rubbed a hand over his face. “I don’t think they’ll be too bothered about us, but maybe more concerned about non-family people finding out.”
Cain chuckled. “Non-family. I like that. What you really mean is the gargoyles who Lydia calls friends.”
“I guess, but I know Mom will drop them in a second if they say one word about us. I told you what she did when I came out, so you know she’ll do whatever she has to. She won’t have any shit said about us.”
“Have I told you how much I like your mom?”
“Your mom now, so she’ll defend you too. All of you. You know she’s seen or spoken to Anton every day.”
Cain nodded. “Staying with Quince was genius. He’s doing well there.”
“Quince will do what needs to be done. He’s like Mom. He’ll fight for Anton, make him see that being gay is nothing to be ashamed of.”
“No wonder our parents married. They have the same values.” Archer smiled at Cain. “Our relationship might be unconventional, but they’ll stand by us.”
Yes, Archer was lucky to have Lydia as his mom and before his dad died, he had been equally supportive. He still missed his dad, and he always would, but seeing his mom happy made up for the devastation they’d all suffered. He liked to think the man was looking down from wherever he was and smiling at seeing Lydia happy and cared for again. Everyone could see Robert adored his wife and would do anything to keep her happy.
“What was he like? Grantham?”
The question surprised Archer. They hadn’t talked much about Grantham. “He was Dad.”
“We can talk about him, you know. It doesn’t upset me that you grew up with two parents, and I didn’t. She was around until I was eight or so before she left, and I have two parents now.”
“He was like Robert in some ways. You knew he loved Mom and us. We always had days out as a family, all of us cramped in the van. Shouting and singing as dad drove us places. Mom smiling and laughing. He hugged me when I told him I was gay and asked if he needed to do anything to help.”
“That sounds nice. Dad tried when she left but he had no idea how to raise five kids on his own, and he was a harder back then. He had no problem putting a man in his place, but he had to change his entire life for us. And he did. He struggled at first, but he got there. He was strict to begin with, but over time, he learned how to be the parent we needed. He never looked at another woman until Lydia. I think she hurt him deeply, and he devoted his time to us. Then one day he saw Lydia and that was it.”
“Mom was the same. She said there would never be another man for her, and then she met Robert, and they’re happy. I have to thank Harry for introducing them.” Archer reached over and stroked Cain’s thigh. “Think that’ll be us one day?”
“You want kids?”
Archer looked over at Cain and smiled. “Yeah, I do.”
“Me too. Not yet though, but one day.”
Archer tightened his grip on Cain’s thigh. “One day.”
He watched Cain pull into the drive and stop the car. “Well, let’s face the music.”
Archer laughed and leaned over to kiss Cain softly. “We’ll be fine.”
“Yeah, we will.”