Bryce’s gut ached.

“Hey. What’s wrong? Are you feeling okay?” she asked.

He tried to snap himself out of it, and waved off her concern. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just tired.”

“Regular tired or over-tired? You’re not pushing yourself too hard, are you? Maybe you should go to the doctor and—”

“Ma, I’m fine,” he cut her off. “I’m tired just like everyone else gets. It’s nothing serious.”

She gave him a sad smile. He knew how hard him getting sick had been on his family. No parent wanted to see their child suffer that way. “Okay, as long as you’re sure. Now, why don’t you tell me why you stopped by? I’m not buying that you came just to see me. Then, if you want, you can help me finish this for Christi. I think it’ll mean a lot to her.”

It would. Bryce knew that, but he really couldn’t stay here and do this with his mom right now. “I should get back to work. I just stopped by on my way to pick up a part.” Bryce pushed to his feet, guilt making his body feel heavy. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Nick was busy in the kitchen when one of the waitresses came back to talk to him. “Hey, there’s a group out there having dinner who says they know you. I guess you’re a friend of their son’s?” she asked. Immediately, he knew it had to be Bryce’s family. How sad was it that Bryce was the only possibility it could be? He really needed to get out there and meet more people. “They said not to bother you, but I thought you might want to know.”

Nick almost wished she hadn’t told him. Bryce went over earlier today to tell his mom that he and Christi weren’t dating—that they hadn’t been for a while. It was absolutely ridiculous, but his first thought was...will they know? Somehow, will they know that I’m dating their son instead of Christi?

“Yeah, okay. Thanks, Liz. I was about to take a break anyway. I’ll go say hi.” She started to walk away, but Nick asked, “Have they ordered yet?”

“No.”

“Their dinner is on the house, okay?”

She looked startled for a second before she said, “Okay. No problem.”

It was the first time Nick had ever offered a free meal to anyone. He finished up what he was doing, washed his hands and then made his way into the dining area. He spotted Bryce’s family immediately...only it wasn’t just his parents. Jamie and Hope were with them—Jamie, the brother who knew something was going on between Nick and Bryce.

Jesus, his life had taken a strange turn since meeting Bryce. He was going out to say hi to the family of...his boyfriend? Is that even what Bryce wanted? Is it what he wanted?

He almost snuck back into the kitchen, but instead he moved forward. What was the big deal? He was just saying hi to his friend’s family—and his brother who knew.

“Nick! Hi, you didn’t have to come out. We didn’t want to interrupt you. Jamie and Hope were taking us to dinner, and Jamie thought it might be nice to come here. The food was so wonderful at Mitch’s birthday.”

Nick couldn’t help but glance at Jamie. What? Did he want to check out Nick again since he knew what was happening with Bryce?

Jamie looked almost embarrassed as he shrugged, and Nick returned his attention to Georgina. “It’s not a bother at all. It’s great to see you guys again. Order whatever you want. It’s on the house tonight.” He wanted to make a good impression with Bryce’s family. Holy shit, he was trying to woo his boyfriend’s parents with free food.

“No, we can’t let you do that, son. It’s a nice offer, though.” William smiled at him and he realized it was the same as Bryce’s.

“No, please. I’d be honored to. Bryce has been a really great friend to me.” I care about him and want you to like me. “It’s the least I can do.”

“We couldn’t—”

“Ma,” Jamie interrupted her. “He wouldn’t have offered if he didn’t want to. Let him.”

Nick tried to give the man a silent thank you. Somehow he realized this was important to Nick.

“If you insist. You’ll have to come to dinner one night with Bryce and Christi, then. I’m not as good of a cook as you, but maybe it’ll be nice to get the night off.”

Nick’s stomach rolled and his hands tightened. Bryce didn’t tell her. He knew it by the way she said that. It’s none of my business anyway... It’s not like we’re going public with our relationship. It’s not like we know if it’ll last...