Nick turned his way. “I’m almost willing to take you up on that. Not the part where we’re caught, but the part where I get to come and release some pent-up energy.”

“Hand job?” Bryce asked, and Nick laughed, feeling better.

“Let’s go in before you get me into trouble.”

“I like getting you into trouble.” Bryce went to open the car door but Nick stopped him.

“There’s not a part of me that thinks this is going to go well, Bryce. I want you to know that. It’s important to me that we do it, though. Just don’t expect her to understand. I know that, and I’m still here.”

There was a split second where he almost asked Bryce to be on his best behavior, but Nick held back. He wanted Bryce to be himself. There was nothing wrong with the man he was.

“I’m here, too,” Bryce replied, and they got out of the car together. Bryce stood beside him, a gentle hand on Nick’s back as he knocked on the door. When the doorknob twisted, he gave Nick a reassuring pat and then dropped his hand.

“Nick. How’s my son?” His mom pulled him into a hug.

“I’m good, Mom.” This was...strange. He hadn’t expected a hug first thing. When they pulled apart, he said, “This is my friend Bryce, who I was telling you about. Bryce, this is my mom, Mona.”

“Hello. It’s nice to meet you.” Bryce held out a hand for his mom. She looked at it, gave a tight smile.

“You, as well,” she replied, but she didn’t shake it. She stood back for Nick and Bryce to come in.

“Your home is beautiful,” Bryce tried again. “Nick grew up here, right? This is the kitchen that the master chef learned to cook in?”

Bryce peeked around the corner into the kitchen, while Nick waited for his mother to reply. She talked about Nick all the time, so much so that it drove him crazy, yet she couldn’t speak to Bryce about him now?

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to go sit in the living room, where we can be more comfortable.”

Bryce turned toward them, and he could see his boyfriend realize that Nick’s mom wanted nothing to do with him. That she didn’t even want to speak to him if she could keep from doing it. Nick’s chest felt like the weight of the world was on it.

“Mom—”

“It’s fine. Let’s go sit down,” Bryce cut him off, and damn if Nick didn’t take the lifeline.

The whole afternoon Nick tried to talk to his mom about Bryce—his family, his shop. It was on the tip of his tongue to bring up the fact that he’d had an aneurysm, looking for something to make her feel for the man. But he knew it would upset Bryce if he did. So, Nick kept trying, and she continued to cut him off at every point. If he said something about him and Bryce, she would reply with something about Karrie, Erin or Michelle. She’d make comments about the grandkids, and that maybe Nick would give her some soon, even though she’d never pushed him on that topic before.

They ate dinner with Bryce trying to bring up Nick’s childhood, or ask questions, but she kept her responses short, or just changed the subject. With each passing minute, the weight on Nick’s chest got heavier...and the more upset he became.

After they finished eating, Nick offered to wash the dishes. “No, that’s fine. You know how I feel about that. You’re my son. You don’t need to be in my kitchen washing dishes.”

Nick didn’t plan the words that came out. He didn’t even know what he would say when he opened his mouth and spoke. He just knew he couldn’t do this with her. Not anymore. “Why not? I’m gay now, so your traditional gender roles are a little blurred, aren’t they?”

His mom gasped.

“Jesus Christ, Nick,” Bryce cursed.

“Don’t take the Lord’s name in vain at my table,” his mom scolded Bryce.

“Don’t do that. Even now you’re taking your anger at me out on him. It’s not fair, and I won’t accept it. Bryce is my...boyfriend now, and—”

“Your boyfriend? Do you hear yourself, Nicholas? You don’t have boyfriends. That’s not you. You were married to Jill for years. You loved her. I know that. I’m not sure what’s going on with you right now, but you’re not gay. I won’t accept that.”

She pushed to her feet but didn’t move as Nick spoke. “You don’t have a choice. Whether you accept it or not, this is the way it is. I’m with him. That’s not going to change. I know it’s confusing, but you’re going to have to deal with it, Mom. I love you, but I love him, too, and I won’t have you treating Bryce as though he doesn’t matter.”