Steve looked at Marla. “What do you think? Can we borrow Rita for a few days?”
All things considered, by the time Drew and Steve said goodbye to Marla and Rita, Drew was feeling pretty good. Steve seemed to be in a better mood, they had potentially solved a major production hurdle, and he had a full belly of good if simple food.
But while Steve showered off the day’s grime, Drew couldn’t stopthinking. Having dinner with Steve and his mom was nice. Drew and Marla got along well and didn’t have any egregious ego clashes or—and Drew was glad of this because he’d worried a little—feel the need to upstage each other. The three of themfit. They felt like family.
And now he couldn’t help but wonder what it might be like to take Steve home to meet his.
Would Steve and Sarah get along? They were both introverts; it would take them some time to get to know each other well. What about Drew’s father? Did he and Steve have anything in common? Drew could hardly remember if his dad liked to grill, it had been so long since he’d been home. What about Sarah’s boyfriend? Would he and Drew like each other? What if Steve fit better in Drew’s family than Drew did? And why did it suddenly matter?
He could imagine Steve relaxing in the backyard with Brit, who’d just finished her English Lit degree, debating the finer points of writing or a play or novel. Sarah and Mom would boss Dad around in the kitchen until everything was prepared and plated to their liking.
But where was Drew? He wouldn’t have anything to add to Steve and Brit’s conversation, and in the kitchen he’d only get in the way.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Steve said, stepping out of the bathroom. He ran a towel over his hair. His boxer briefs clung enticingly to his body.
Drew pulled his gaze up to Steve’s face. “Sorry. I was just….”Fantasizing about taking you home to my parents when you’ve never even seen my apartment.He sighed. “You know I still haven’t called my mom back?”
Steve crossed to the bed and sat next to him. “What’s the holdup?” He smoothed his palms together and then scratched his upper arm. Anxious.
Drew had best tread carefully.
“I don’t know. I guess I wonder if….” He made a face. “I’ve been gone for so long I don’t know if I belong there anymore. They’re getting along fine without me. They have their own lives.”
Steve swung his feet up on the bed and turned toward him. “That doesn’t mean they don’t want you in them.”
True. But that was just the lead-in. He took a deep breath. “I know that. And I’m going to call. I want to tell my family about you. You’re important.”
Steve’s cheeks went pink, and he bit his lip. “So what’s the problem?”
Feeling awkward, Drew lifted a shoulder. He couldn’t believe he’d made it to this point in his life without doing this, but—“I’ve never told my parents about someone I’m dating before.”
“What, really?”
Drew gestured aimlessly. “Well, for years it was nothing but hookups—I wasn’t exactly going to write home to Mom and Dad ‘that actor from that show you like let me stick it in’!”
Steve choked out a laugh. “I’m gonna ask you who that was. Later, though. But I swear it’s not that hard.”
“Says the guy who talks to his mom every day.”
“Point taken.”
Drew rubbed his forehead. “That’s not all either. I sort of….”Out with it, he told himself. “I told you I’ve been thinking about going to spend some time there when I get a break from filming.” He inhaled deeply. “Do you want to come?”
For a heartbeat Steve froze, mouth slightly open, eyes wide. Then his flush deepened and a shy smile crept onto his face. “You want me to meet your family?”
“I may not be sure what they think of me after all these years,” Drew said, lacing their fingers together, “but they’re going to love you.”
I do.
The realization should have surprised him—probably should have terrified him. It had been so long since he’d felt this way. But it was the most natural, logical thing in the world.
“You think?”
“I know.”
Chapter Eighteen
DREWcalled his parents that night, sitting at the little table in their hotel room. At his request, Steve sat across from him the whole time. Moral support, Drew said, but Steve thought it was more than that. Drew wanted to include him. He even put the phone on speaker.
