Dad’s eyes widened. “Who is this therapist you’re seeing, Colton?”
“I found him through the school’s LGBTQ helpline.” Finally, with Tex’s help, we might get somewhere on this front. “It’s been amazing for me. He’s helping me work through the unresolved grief of Mom’s death, my resentment of you, and my acceptance of my sexuality.”
“So, you didn’t accept it at first.” Dad focused on me.
Dad was listening. For once, I felt heard by him. “Yes, after, well, going a little crazy, I hid that part of myself and tried to ignore it.” I inhaled deeply. “But it wasn’t healthy, and when I met Tex, I couldn’t ignore it.”
“When you meet the right person, things just click.” He dipped his head and shook it. “Like when I met your mother. She was an amazing woman.” He wrung his hands and, with a cracking voice, said, “I miss her so much.” His gaze wound tomine. “I don’t want to lose you, Colton. I want to support you, but I don’t know how.”
“There’s this organization called PFLAG. It’s a support group for parents of queer kids. I’ve got information on the local chapter in Rochester. Why don’t you start there?” I hadn’t thought I could use this information, but here I was. My heart beat a little slower. It was possible for me to be my true self with Tex at my side.
“PFLAG, huh?” Dad chewed his lower lip. “Yeah, okay. Text me the information and I’ll check it out.” His lips curled into a soft grin as his gaze swung to Tex. “My boy is dating one of the best offensive linemen in the NCAA. Now that’s something I can brag about when I go.”
“Dad…” I pinched the bridge of my nose and coughed a laugh. Of course, it was all about sports with him. But if it helped, did it matter? I fixated on him. Would he take this further? “Dad, would you join some of my therapy sessions? My therapist thought it would help.”
“How? A Zoom call or something? I have to leave tomorrow. The conference was over today.” He straightened and drank some water.
“Yeah, we can do a Zoom call with you. I’m sure we can figure something out.” He was leaving tomorrow. My chest pricked. We’d come so far tonight. Spending time with him would have been pleasant. Had he eaten dinner? I’d been too nervous to think about dinner. “Hey, have you eaten?”
Tex glanced at me, his brow rising.
“No, I haven’t.” Dad shifted on the chair, extending his legs. “What were you thinking?”
“Maybe order some Chinese food and watch the Thursday night football game?” I raked my teeth across my lower lip. Chinese takeout had been a favorite of Dad’s when he’d been home.
“Watch a game with you and Tex? Hell yes. I’d love to hearTex’s take on Atlanta. They’re playing tonight, right?” He gave Tex a warm grin. “I’ve, uh, got some money on this game.”
“They are. It’ll be close. Probably a nail-biter.” Tex stood from the couch and stretched. “I’d be honored to watch the game with you, Mr. Reed.” He extended his hand toward Dad.
Dad rose and stepped to Tex. “Please, call me Andy.” He shook Tex’s hand with both of his. “I might not understand all of this yet, but I can certainly relate to football and so far, you seem like you really care about my son.”
“I love him, Andy. I’d do anything for him. You should know that.” With a soft grin, Tex peeked at me.
Emotion swept through my heart. I wasn’t sure I’d ever see Tex and my father together like this. “I’ll order the food. There’s a place here I think you’ll like, Dad.” With a long sigh, I stood and stepped toward the kitchen. “I have beer…”
“Oh, yes, please.” Dad rubbed his hands together. “I have to say, you’ve got a nice place here, Colton. It’s homey.”
“Thanks, Dad.” It was homey now that I’d splurged on some plants and decorations. I grabbed three beers from the refrigerator. “Tex, can you put the game on, please?”
“Absolutely.” Tex took the remote from the coffee table and turned on the television.
As I handed Dad a canned beer, he threw his arm around my shoulders and hugged me. “I love you, son. I might not show it well, but I do.”
With my eyes stinging and heart full, I said, “Love you too, Dad.” There was a lot of work ahead, but we had a path forward and I finally had hope.
TWENTY-ONE
TEX (TRAVIS)
The game had been close, like I’d expected, and sharing this time with Colton’s father had shown me so much about him. He wasn’t terrible, just perhaps misguided and managing grief poorly, like Colton. I watched Colton banter with Andy. He had some of his father’s mannerisms too, but I didn’t think Andy realized it.
We’d never discussed the Christmas break, with everything else we’d had to talk about. As the game ended, I whispered to Colton, who was sitting between me and his father on the couch. “Hey, what about Christmas?”
Colton snapped his gaze to mine. “Oh, shit. I should ask about it while he’s here.” He touched his father’s thigh. “Hey, Dad, I was thinking of spending a few days in Austin with Tex’s family for Christmas. Did you make any plans?”
“What? You’re not coming home?” Andy sipped his beer as his brows wrinkled.
“I…I thought maybe I could come home the day after.” With a flinch, Colton tapped the top of his beer can, wedged between his thighs.