Chapter Eighteen

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Spencer

“Hey look. I can use my dick as a phone stand,” Corbin said as I got out of the shower. He must have gotten back from his run while I was in there. He’d insisted on going since the gym wasn’t open. I had a feeling it was because of what had happened with his family.

Sure enough, he was lying on his back in my bed, his dick hard, leaning his cell against it.

How could I do anything other than laugh? “Creative.”

“We should watch a show on my phone tonight like this. You know, just for fun.”

I leaned over and lashed my tongue up his shaft. “But then it will be harder for me to play with you.”

“Good point. Your hand or mouth is way better. I’ll do the phone-stand thing when I’m alone.”

This time, we both chuckled before I tugged him out of bed and swatted his ass. “Go get ready. We have to leave soon.”

“Ugh. Fine. So pushy,” he teased, but did as I said.

I frowned when Corbin first put on a jockstrap and posted a Merry Christmas selfie. I didn’t know what I’d expected—that after his breakthrough with his family and how they made him feel, he would automatically cut off posting on social media because he would realize it was toxic for him? That he would magically be able to put his health and mental health first? That’s not how things like that worked. He was making progress, and that’s what I needed to focus on.

Last night had been…so fucking incredible. I wasn’t sure sex had ever been like that for me, but then, of course Corbin would be special. Everything about him was, and no matter how often he pretended he knew it, the truth was, he didn’t.

“Your parents are going to fucking love me,” he said after getting dressed.

Translation: he was nervous as shit.

“Obviously.”

He glanced over at me through a veil of dark lashes. “Do you really think so?”

My heart softened even more for this man. He had so many layers I never would have expected. I walked over to him. “Yes. I know they will. You’re so fucking sweet, Cuddle Boyfriend.”

When he grinned, I pressed a kiss to his lips.

“I like it when you call me that.”

“It’s what you are. We’ll do lots of snuggling tonight.”

“Naked snuggling?” he asked.

“Is there any other way? Now come on. We should head out. The traffic shouldn’t be that bad today, but it will still take us a while to get to Temecula.”

The drive was about an hour and forty minutes to get to my parents’ house. Corbin wasn’t nearly as nervous as he had been yesterday when he was seeing his own family, but the tension was still there. My family would love him, and I couldn’t wait for him to see that.

My parents lived in a Spanish-style, beige stucco home not far from the Temecula hills. We’d moved to this house when I’d turned fifteen, my parents having spent most of their lives saving for a down payment.

“We good?” I asked Corbin when we pulled up in front. When he nodded, I put my hand on his nape, tugged him closer, and gave him another kiss. “Of course you are. You’re Corbin fucking Erickson.”

“Good point.”

“That’s what I want to hear.” I winked at him, and we got out of the car. It was sunny out, a perfect seventy-three degrees on Christmas. I loved Southern California weather, not that I knew much else.

I could hear laughter and music coming from inside. The front door was open, the screen door closed. It would be locked because people always locked their doors here, but I could see my brother Nick in the hallway. “Open up, butthead,” I said, and he looked over and smiled.

“Spence is here! Good thing I had to take a shit. Now I get to be the first one to meet your boyfriend!”

I rolled my eyes.

“Okay, I already like him,” Corbin said because of course he would.

Nick unlocked the screen and gave me a big hug. We were an affectionate family, which I figured Corb would love.

“Good to see you, dork,” Nick said, then gave Corbin his attention. “I’m Nick, Spencer’s younger, more attractive brother. I’m funnier too.”

“You wish,” I replied.

“I’m Corbin.” I could tell he was about to put his hand out for Nick to shake, but my brother spoke before he could.

“We like to hug. Are hugs okay with you?”

“Hugs are the best.” Corbin looked at me with smiling eyes.

“Well,” Nick said, “he’s won me over. He seems nicer than the last one. We didn’t like DJ.” Because of course Nick would mention the fact that my family had known DJ. “I still don’t get why you liked that guy so much.”

“Nick,” I said pointedly, and his eyes went wide as he realized that bringing up my ex in front of my boyfriend was a dick move.

“Did Spencer tell you I’m the idiot brother? Because I am. Clearly. I’m the baby of the family, so I basically just think about myself.”

“Well, I’m an idiot too, so we’ll get along great,” Corbin told him.

“See! I knew I liked you.” Nick put an arm around my boyfriend. “I wish Misty were here. She’s my wife. You’ll love her too. She’s a nurse and had to work, though. Come on. Let’s go out back and meet everyone so I can brag about how we’re already friends.”

Corbin started walking with Nick, the two of them chatting up a storm like long-lost friends. I fucking loved it. While I’d known it would all be okay, I still let out a relieved breath. I wanted today to be perfect for him.

A rock station played in the background, everyone outside because we always smoked a turkey on Christmas, and as I’d mentioned, the weather was great.

“Meet my new best friend, Corbin!” Nick said the second he went through the sliding door. They were immediately mobbed by the rest of my family, which included my other brother, Ken, his wife, both brothers’ kids, and my parents.

Introductions were made, and of course everyone was jealous that Nick got to meet Corbin first. My family gave him all the attention and started talking his ear off, which Corbin loved. It was perfect for him. I kept to the background and let him soak up the spotlight as he told them about what he did for a living, The Vers podcast, and his group of friends.

“Oh my goodness, you’re gorgeous,” Mom told him. “Isn’t he gorgeous, Layla?” she asked my sister-in-law.

“You really are,” Layla agreed.

“I think so,” Corbin teased, making everyone laugh.

“Um…I’m supposed to be the charming one around here. Stay in your lane, buddy.” Nick winked.

Ken smacked Nick on the back of his head. “Shut up, buttface.”

“That’s what we all call him,” I told Corbin, just as Dad said, “I promise, we’re a nice, normal family who despite the hitting and name-calling isn’t abusive at all.”

“You’re perfect,” Corbin said, and I could tell he meant it.

He was perfect, and I was determined to do everything in my power to make sure he knew it.

We spent the next couple of hours outside, talking and laughing. Mom would pop into the kitchen sometimes to check on the food, and usually one or two of us would go in and help.

When we ate, Corbin didn’t put much on his plate, his portions much smaller than I would have liked. He just had turkey, the sautéed carrots my family loved, and a small salad.

Like Corbin had been, I was the only one in my family who had a larger body, but our experiences were so different in every way. My family had never made me feel bad about it.

We all sat in chairs, plates on our laps. Corbin picked at his food from time to time, but mostly talked and laughed with the others.

“When Spencer was a kid,” Mom said, “he used to always do some kind of holiday dance number for us. I don’t know if he told you, but he took hip-hop and ballet classes.”

“I’ve seen him dance! There was a party at the LGBTQ center. I was a little sad he’s better than me, but mostly just impressed,” Corbin teased, earning a chuckle from the group. He turned to me. “Are you going to perform for us today?”

“Hell no. I haven’t done that since I was a kid.”

“Please…for me, CB?” He fluttered his lashes dramatically. I rolled my eyes.

“Absolutely not.”

“You’re no fun.” Corbin pouted.

“I am the absolute most amount of fun.”

“Is no one planning on asking what CB is? Because I totally am.”

I pointed my fork at Nick. “None of your business.”

“Aw, sex stuff. I get it.”

“Dad! Gross!” my nephew said, which was followed by more laughter. We did that a lot when we were together.

“Nicholas Chase!” Mom scolded. “Watch your mouth in front of the kids.”

My family, ladies and gentlemen.

“I still want Spencer to dance for me.” Corbin crossed his arms and pouted playfully.

“I’ll dance for you later, baby.” I winked.

“Aww!” Layla said. “You guys are so cute. Why don’t you dance for me?” she asked Ken.

“Because I don’t know how? I used to play football in high school. I can do that for you if you want.”

“Straight guys are boring,” my sister-in-law joked.

I turned to Corbin. “I’m sorry we’re like this.”

“I’m not sorry. I love it.”

“What about your family? Do they live close?” Dad asked.

Fuck. I wished I’d thought to warn them not to bring up Corbin’s family. I wasn’t sure how it would make him feel.

“We’re definitely not like this. It’s difficult.”

I could see the wheels spinning in everyone’s head. Mom was the one who spoke first. “Well, you have a family in us, Corbin.”

“Oh, no. They accept my sexuality. I mean, they wish I wasn’t gay and think I’m going to burn in hell, but—Okay, yes, I’m hearing it now. I guess they don’t accept me.” It was the first time I’d heard him say something like that. Corbin always defended them and believed what they gave him was acceptance, but it wasn’t.

I put my hand on Corbin’s nape again, pulled him closer, and kissed him. I left my arm around him, and he scooted closer to me, cuddling into me the way he did.

“Well…” Mom said, “I’m not the type to bad-talk anyone, so I’ll just say you’re perfect the way you are, and no one in this house will ever want to change you.”

“Also, you’re not going to burn in hell,” Ken added.

“Thank you,” Corbin replied, and I kissed him again.

We got off sad topics after that. Corbin didn’t eat much, and I didn’t push it. What I did plan was to do as much research as I could and maybe talk to some therapists I knew from the center—without divulging his personal information, of course—to figure out the best ways to help him and be there for him.

We stayed late, and just as we were about to leave, Mom and I ended up alone in the kitchen. We’d always been close, and I knew she would corner me at some point.

“I love him, Spencer. He’s so sweet and playful, but you can tell there’s so much going on beneath the surface that he doesn’t show easily.”

Jesus. My mom was good. “True. He’s…”

“You love him?”

“I could. I’m not sure if I do, but I could.”

She wrapped me in a tight hug. “I’m so happy for you. You deserve it.”

I just needed to make sure Corbin knew he deserved happiness too.