Chapter Twenty-Two

Aiden Gets A Shock

The front door opened, and Becca called out, "Will? You ready to go? Or do we need to raid CVS for Blowfish or OverEZ?"

"Will doesn't need hangover cures," Aiden hollered. He chuckled. "Any second now, Becca's gonna be the one with the headache."

Will was too busy rehearsing his lines in his head. Becca was only prepared for half of what was coming right at her.

"We're all in here," Louise said in a loud voice.

Becca walked into the room, and stopped dead. "Everyone looks so serious. Who died?" She gazed at Aiden with narrowed eyes. "You finally killed that cat, didn't you?"

He gasped in mock horror. "Midnight is just fine, thank you very much. We left him sitting in the window, chatting to himself. Probably because there was a bird outside that he couldn't get at."

"Give it time. He'll go the same way as Snuffles, you wait and see."

Will chuckled. "Snuffles?"

Aiden rolled his eyes. "Later, okay?"

"Well, if no one's dead, what's going on?"

Three pairs of eyes focused on Will, and he sighed. "Sit down, Becca. I need to tell you something."

Becca sat in the armchair. "Should I be worried here?" She glanced at her parents. "Do you know what's going on?"

Louise coughed, and Dad said quickly, "We're as much in the dark as you are."

Will cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, Becca, but I can't marry you. The wedding's off."

Give Becca her due, her feigned shock was pitch-perfect. She stared at him open-mouthed. "What?"

Louise gasped and clutched her chest, and Carl nudged her with his elbow.

Becca gazed at him with wide eyes. "But why don't you want to marry me anymore?"

Will took a deep breath. "Because… there's someone else."

Becca blinked. "There is?"

Yeah, that wasn't in the script, was it?

She frowned. "Who?"

Will turned toward Aiden, who laced his fingers through Will's. He gave Aiden a grateful glance before giving Becca his full attention. "Your brother."

Right on cue, Louise let out another dramatic gasp to rival any soap actress ever, and even Carl managed to appear surprised.

Becca stared at Will. At their joined hands. Back to Will's face. "This is a joke, right?" Except something in her voice told him that was exactly what she thought it was.

Will shook his head.

Aiden let go of Will's hand and put his arm around Will's waist. "This is for real, sis."

Becca's eyes were the size of saucers. "What the—" She lurched out of the armchair and crossed the floor to stand in front of him, glaring. "You're cheating on me with Aiden ? I don't know which one of you I should hit first."

Will leaned forward and whispered, "Don't bury yourself in the part."

"Are you for real? I had no idea you were going to come up with this story."

Will coughed: "Actually?" He bit his lip. "It isn't a story."

Becca stared at him, doing a great impression of a goldfish. "You mean… You and Aiden…you're…." Then she raised her hand to smack his arm, but Aiden stopped her, his fingers around her wrist.

"Don't even think about it," he told her.

"Maybe I should knock you out instead. You stole my fiancé!" Becca tugged free of his grasp.

"Really? That's what you're going with?" Aiden arched his eyebrows. "We both know it isn't true."

Becca froze. "What?"

"Becca!" Louise called out. "Before you kill your brother and his boyfriend—"

It seemed as though that last word finally hit home. Becca looked Will in the eye. "Seriously? You're really dating Aiden?"

Will nodded.

"I know, it's crazy, isn't it?" Carl sounded gleeful. "This would make a great movie."

Aiden chuckled. "Yeah, a romcom."

"Can I finish, please?" Louise stood and walked over to Becca. "Sweetheart, I need to tell you something."

"If you tell me you're pregnant, I swear…"

Carl stood. "Both of you, sit down, please. Your mom is being serious."

Becca did as she was told. Will watched her face as Louise related the story of Greg.

"No. You're not telling me everything. There has to be more to it than that."

Will recognized that stubborn expression. Then Becca's eyes went wide.

"Mom? What's wrong?"

Louise's lip wobbled as she looked up, the shine in her eyes unmistakable as anything other than tears. "I failed you. Both of you."

"What are you talking about?"

Her shoulders slumped. "When we had you, I told your dad I wasn't going to be my parents. I was going to be open and honest with you. I would teach you how to love and be loved. I wouldn't hide things, like they did. And I turned around and that was exactly what I did. I am so sorry."

Will felt for her. "What I don't understand is why you would hold onto a grudge like this for so long." He bit back a smile. "Apart from wanting to enter the Olympics when they finally add Holding A Grudge as an event."

Her smile was tremulous. "It sounds even worse now than it did then. He invited me to go with him to Milwaukee Pride. I was excited to go, to meet his friends. I thought he was going to introduce me to them as his girlfriend."

Aiden let out a long breath. "But that wasn't what happened."

She shook her head. "There was a group of us. Everyone was laughing and having a good time. But whenever we met people, he introduced me by my name. Not as his girlfriend, not as anything. I finally had to ask him why. He pulled me over into a corner and told me he had to say something." She bit her lip. "Before he could, another guy came over and put a hand on the back of his neck and pulled him in for a kiss. I told myself it was fine, he was just open with his friends. When they stopped kissing, he stared at me expectantly." Louise swallowed. "When I didn't say anything, he told me he was gay, and that this guy was his boyfriend." Her eyes flashed. "In my head, everyone in our group was in on it. They were all laughing at me. He'd been my first, he told me he loved me. I was actually picking out china patterns , for gosh sake. And now? I was being dumped because he was gay. And it wasn't even him being gay that stung. It was the humiliation I felt, the pain he'd caused, the hole he'd left in my heart. I ran and called home. My dad came and got me, but didn't ask why I was angry."

"Breathe, honey." Carl put his arm around her.

She gave him a grateful glance before addressing Becca and Aiden. "A few years later, I heard from a friend he was working on the PrideFest board and that he was still with that other guy—whose name I can't even remember—and every time something was said about Pride, that humiliation crept back in, and I was an eighteen-year-old girl again, being dumped and having to call home because I was humiliated."

Aiden shook his head. "So that's why you kept turning the TV off."

She nodded. "I don't begrudge him his happiness. Being with someone that long shows how in love you truly are, and I was happy for him, but still, my humiliation stayed with me for all this time. And now, because of it, I pushed my kids away, making them think it was the LGBTQ community I hated, when nothing was further from the truth." She snorted. "I wish I could explain how I felt every time I saw an ad for Pride. How my face burned, how my eyes watered. And it was all so stupid . I was with your father, we had two kids, but that stupid, insignificant thing from my childhood? It haunted me and I am so, so sorry."

Aiden knelt in front of her and took her hands in his. "We weren't innocent in this either. If we'd had the courage to talk to you, things would never have gotten this far."

Louise blinked. "Why would you talk to someone you thought would turn you away for being gay? I'm just grateful the two of you didn't cut ties with me."

Even Will knew Aiden would never do that.

Aiden squeezed her hands. "How about we promise no more secrets? You, me, and Becca."

"What about me?" Carl demanded. "I have secrets too, y'know."

Aiden grinned. "Yeah, but we don't wanna know where the key is to the beer cooler."

Louise gazed earnestly at Becca. "So yes, I carried a grudge for one person, but that was because I'd been in love, and what he did hurt me. Was it logical? God no, not even remotely. Was it healthy? Obviously not." She looked Becca in the eye. "I own that, and I apologize profusely if I ever, for one single second, made you think I wouldn't love you for being who you are. But I do. And your dad is right. I have to let go of this hurt and anger. I should have moved on a long time ago."

"Therapy," Carl coughed.

"Yeah, fine. Maybe you're right." He gave a smug smile, and she glared at him. "But being right once in all these years doesn't count as a winning streak. Remember that." She let out another sigh. "Honestly, I love my life. I love my family. And I will now and always love their partners. I can't let what he did weigh me down, because when you have kids, I don't want them thinking Grams doesn't love them with her whole heart."

Becca gasped. "Kids? Aren't you putting the cart before the horse here, Mom?" Then her shoulders sagged, her eyes glistening. She swiped at them with her fingers, then met Louise's earnest gaze. "Wait a sec. You said partners." She froze. "Why are you telling me this?"

Come on, Becca. Believe her. You know you want to.

"Isn't there something you wanna tell Mom?" Aiden gave her a loaded glance, and she blinked. He smiled and squeezed Will's hand. "Come on in, sis, the water's fine."

Will chuckled. "Shouldn't that be come on out ?"

Becca stared at him. "You told them."

"No, he didn't," Louise got in quick. "Trixie Benton did, when she sent me a photo of you—and Kristen."

Aiden thought Becca's jaw was about to become unhinged. She gasped. "You know about Kristen?"

Louise gave a sympathetic nod. "I've known for a while."

"Just don't ask how long that is," Aiden added. "You wouldn't like the answer."

Becca jerked her head in his direction, then went back to staring at Louise. "Wait a sec. You knew —and yet you said nothing?"

Aiden laughed. "Oh sis, it gets way better than that. I'd say sit down, but you already are, so… This whole wedding Mom has been planning? It's a fake."

"What?" Becca's eyes bulged, her eyebrows disappearing into her hairline.

"She didn't book the ballroom. She was hoping that once she blindsided you, you'd tell her the truth."

"But… the flowers…" Becca's voice shook.

Louise smiled. "Elliott Pink is a friend. I use his services all the time at the hotel. He was in on it too."

"And the dress? That beautiful dress you had me try on how many times?"

"Ah, now that part was real. I figured you'd need a wedding dress—one day—and you obviously loved it, so…" She shrugged. "It's still hanging on a rack with your name on it."

Becca folded her arms. "What about the food? There was no double booking, was there? I mean, there couldn't be if there was never going to be a wedding. Then what was all that shi—stuff about Kelly taking over the catering?"

Louise chuckled. "That crappy food she served you at the tasting? That was all part of it. Kelly's actually an amazing chef."

Becca snorted. "I think we have different definitions of amazing, then."

Louise rolled her eyes. "Silly girl. I asked her to screw it up. She was offended, but when I explained why, she said fine." Louise's eyes twinkled. "She also said I was never to bring up the subject ever again."

"But… but…" Becca gestured toward the front door. "I just spent an hour with her, and she didn't let on once." She gave Louise another glare. " You told me to apologize to her. I spent fifteen minutes groveling ." She shook her head. "I don't believe any of this." Becca pointed at her mom. "Mostly, I don't believe you let me go on lying to you."

Louise let out a heavy sigh. "I kept asking you if there was anything you wanted to tell me, remember? I gave you so many opportunities to tell me the truth." She tilted her head to one side. "You know what? This reminds me of that story about the man who is stranded on his roof when the floods come. He keeps telling everyone that God will save him. A guy in a rowboat comes along to take him to safety, but the man says ‘It's okay. God will save me.' Then a helicopter arrives, and he says the same thing as they try to winch him into it. And finally, he dies and goes to heaven. He stands before God and says ‘Why didn't you save me?' God says, ‘I sent you a boat, a helicopter…. What more did you want?'" Louise gave Becca a forthright stare. "How many more openings could I have given you?" Before Becca could respond, Louise softened her voice. "How do you think I felt when I saw that photo? And realized you couldn't come right out and tell me?"

Aiden chuckled. "I see what you did there."

Will nudged him. "Not the time," he whispered, and Aiden had the good grace to blush.

"Sweetheart, I'm sorry." Louise held Becca's hands. "I know this is on me, but really, you and Kristen seem to fit way better than you and Will ever did." Her gaze cut to Will. "No offense."

He chuckled. "None taken."

Louise gave Becca a beseeching glance. "Please tell me you'll bring her home for Christmas."

That flicker of hope was back, and Will rejoiced to see the light in Becca's face.

"Then you're really okay that I'm a lesbian?"

Louise enfolded Becca in her arms and held her tightly, and Will reasoned that was the best response ever. Then she drew back and wiped wet eyes. "Okay? Honey, I'm delighted. You've been with Kristen for so long. That's awesome. Now all I want is to meet her."

Becca swallowed again.

"Ball's in your court, sis," Aiden said in a low voice.

Becca smiled. "I'll ask her to come home with me for Christmas."

"Will? What about you?" Carl asked. "Will you be joining us for the holidays?"

Will beamed. "I might have to split my time between here and home, but yes, sir. I'd love to spend Christmas with you all." He gave Aiden a warm glance. "I want Aiden to meet my family too."

He had a feeling their reaction would be an anticlimax after all this.

Thank God. Will had had enough drama to last him a lifetime.

Will put his bag in the trunk and closed it. "I guess this is it, then."

He didn't want to leave.

Aiden took off his own scarf and looped it around Will's neck.

Will chuckled. "I do have one, you know."

"I know—but this one smells of me. I figured we'd swap."

He really liked that idea. Will reached into the back of the car and grabbed his scarf. "Look after it. And don't let Midnight sleep on it. Or stick his claws in it. Or—"

Aiden laughed. "Okay, okay, I'll treat it with the utmost care, all right?" He cupped Will's nape. "I'll miss you. Midnight will miss you too. He'll probably wander around the apartment, looking for you."

Will glanced toward the house. The curtains twitched, and he smiled. "I think we have an audience."

"Does that mean I don't get a kiss goodbye?"

"If you think I'm leaving here without one, I—"

Aiden stopped his words with a fierce kiss, and Will gave as good as he got. They parted, and he leaned, their foreheads meeting.

"You'll see me soon enough. It's only nine days before we're back here. And by then I can relax because the exams will be over. At least for a while."

"I won't call you then." Aiden didn't sound happy about the prospect.

Will grinned. "You'd better. I want to see your face on my phone every night."

Aiden snickered. "Just my face, huh?"

Will kissed him again. "Whatever you feel comfortable showing," he murmured against Aiden's lips.

Aiden gave a throaty chuckle. "Never had phone sex before. Not sure how much lube an iPhone would take anyway."

He laughed. "I guess there's a first time for everything." Another kiss, only this time Will poured his heart and soul into it.

This one will have to last me a while.

"Aiden, put him down. Maybe I want a hug too. The kisses, you can keep."

He laughed and hugged Becca. "Feeling better now?"

She snorted. "Now that I'm not marrying Will? You bet." She flashed Will a grin. "No offense."

"And again, none taken. I'm as relieved as you are."

Aiden took a step toward him, and Becca groaned. "For God's sake, you'll see him on the twenty-third. Now will you let us get on the road?" Her eyes sparkled. "There's a girl more than five hours from here that I'm dying to see."

Aiden gave a snort uncannily like Becca's. "See? I'm pretty sure you've got more planned for Kristen than just looking at her."

Becca glared at Will. "You. In the car. Now."

Will chuckled and climbed into the passenger seat. Becca got in and switched on the engine.

Aiden tapped on Becca's window and she lowered it. "Can you stop being my aggravating older brother long enough for us to be on our way?"

"I was just going to ask… Kristen's parents…Are they cool with her being into girls? Because if they're not, you know Mom's gonna love her to death."

Becca smiled. "They're cool. Thanks for asking." She wound up the window.

As they pulled away from the house, Will twisted to get one last glimpse of Aiden waving at him.

Then he was gone.

"Okay, now we can talk. You and my brother. Is it serious?"

Will gazed at the snow-covered road ahead. "I think so. I hope so. I've never felt like this before so…"

"How does he make you feel?"

Will thought about it for a moment, analyzing his emotions. "Like I'm walking on air when he's with me. I can't wait to hear his voice. Every time he's close to me all I want to do is touch him. I smile more when I'm with him." He was smiling just thinking about Aiden. "He's the sunshine in my day."

Becca was quiet for a minute.

"Have I said something wrong?"

She sighed. "Nope. You just summed up in a few seconds what it took me months to realize about Kristen." She chuckled. "That was fast."

Will smiled once more. "Not really that fast. After all, what started all of this was a luggage cart."

Four weeks ago.

And many more to come.

"Will… Now that it's just us…" Becca sighed. "I'm sorry, okay?"

"What are you apologizing for now?"

She rolled her eyes. "Where do I start? How about the way I let this business drag on? Not telling Mom when there were so many times I could've done it? Mainly I'm apologizing for being such an aggravating best friend. Let's face it, I've been an awful bestie. I was annoying, gutless…" She glanced at him. "Feel free to jump in at any time and disagree with me."

"I will— if I disagree with you," he teased. "And you left out selfish."

Her face tightened. "I guess I earned that. You'd have been right to walk away from this whole mess… but you didn't. I'll never understand that. I don't deserve you."

It was time for truth.

"Becca, I'm not going to lie. The only thing that kept me from walking away? Your brother. Because right from the start, I wanted to keep him in my life. Which was a highly illogical reaction, seeing as once we ‘broke up' I'd probably never see him again. But there was always this part of me that clung to the hope that somehow, if I rolled the dice right, I might get my heart's desire." He smiled. "And I did. So yeah, you're forgiven." Then he grinned. "But you've used up all your nine bestie lives where I'm concerned. So from here on in, there's going to be a whole new Becca."

She bit her lip. "Wow. Talk about a tall order."

"I have faith in you." He patted her shoulder. "Besides, we're going to be seeing even more of each other. We're going to be family."

Will couldn't wait.