I rode over Callum’s first words with, “No. We shouldn’t.” Callum turned angry eyes on me, but I went on, “When it’s over, I know Callum will want to tell you everything. But until then, we don’t want you to get involved.”
Callum scrunched his eyes shut for a moment, but his outrage faded. “Yeah, fuck, that’s true. I promise, I’ll explain later.”
“I guess I have to trust that you know what you’re doing.” Roy brightened his voice. “I’m happy to see you two together, though. Is this official?” He gestured between us. “At least, to your families?”
“Kind of?” Callum said. “I, uh, came out to my teammates and told them I have a boyfriend. So I guess I have a boyfriend?” He glanced over his shoulder at me.
“That’s how I see it.” I grinned at him, and after a moment, he smiled back.
“You told your team.” Roy patted Callum’s arm. “I’m so glad. I know how hard it’s been for you, in the closet for so long. How did it go? Tell me everything.”
Callum sat back beside me on the couch and made a story out of his coach volunteering his aunt, and the banter of his teammates. A hesitation here or there suggested he was leaving things out, but his grandfather nodded and smiled.
“I’m sorry you didn’t get a win to celebrate with,” Roy commented.
“It’ll work out.” Callum threw me a look.
“Are the two of you sleeping here or at Zeke’s tonight?” When I kind of boggled at the question, Roy shook his head. “What kind of old fogey do you take me for? A big night and something stressful going on. You’ll want to be together.”
My attic room had more privacy. I said, “I’d prefer not to leave Jos alone at night.” Which was also true.
“Of course.”
“Come on over for breakfast,” I suggested. “Jos will be gone, unless you want to eat with a grumpy tween at seven-thirty in the morning, but we’d love to hang out with you.”
“I suppose I could,” Roy said. “Lily’s opening the store. Mondays are busy, though.”
“All the more reason to fuel up,” I suggested. “I’ll make pancakes.”
“You do know how to tempt a man. Although seven-thirty is fine for me.”
“Ugh. Morning people,” Callum teased.
“Seven-thirty then,” I agreed. “I can make pancakes for Jos too. Maybe he’ll be less grumpy.”
“How’s the boy doing?” Roy asked. “I’ve missed him, haven’t seen him around lately—” He paused. “Did you tell him not to come because of Wayne?”
“Sorry. Wayne’s working with some unsavory people. I couldn’t risk it.”
“I should’ve disowned him long ago, I guess. He would look at me sometimes with my wife’s eyes.”
“I’m so sorry,” I told him. “You’re a good man and you deserve to have kids who respect you.”
“And whom I can respect. Well, I had Callum’s father and his wife, and now I have Callum. I shouldn’t complain.” He gripped the arms of his chair and levered himself to his feet. “Keep me in the loop with Wayne, please. And set the door alarm when you go out. I deleted Wayne’s alarm code Wednesday, and now I’m glad, if he might’ve given it to someone else even worse.”
“I don’t think they’ll bother you,” I told him. Callum might be a different matter, but I’d have him safe at my place. “But yes, the alarm’s a good precaution. Or you could stay at my house too? I have guest rooms.”
Roy waved me off. “I like my own bed. Sleep well, you two. And congratulations, Callum. I mean that. You did a hard thing, coming out, and I’m proud of you.”
When the old man was upstairs, Callum and I checked the house, made sure the windows and back door were locked, andset the alarm on our way out. I glanced at the little red car as we passed it. “Is that money still on the seat?”
“Huh? No. GREC had me meet them on the way home and they took custody.”
“Good. One less thing to worry about.” I led the way inside, setting my own alarm. “Did you eat after the game? Do you want anything?”
“Just you.” He pushed me against the wall beside the door and kissed me.
I grabbed his arms for balance, loving the feel of his meaty biceps under my hands. Then I shifted my grip lower because even better than his arms were, ah, yes, the firm globes of his ass under those sinfully fitted suit pants. “Love you in a suit,” I muttered. “Can’t wait to get you out of it.”
