Page 101 of So I'll Know
“What do you mean?”
He takes a breath, looking uncertain but determined, and leans into my touch. “Remember when I said I was in foster care? While my aunt was getting custody of me, I spent about a year with a family who weren’t exactly the best people.”
My jaw tightens. “What did they do?”
Jeremy gives me a sad look. “They just didn’t really want me, other than to show that they were ‘good people.’ They left me to my own devices in their basement most of the time. But I watched a lot of old movies on their VHS and DVD players.”
My heart aches for him. “What about school?”
He shrugs. “They never enrolled me. I assume they told social services I was homeschooled or something.”
“I’m sorry, Jer,” I say, pulling him against me and wrappingmy arms around him. “No one should have to be alone like that.” It makes me think of Charlie, alone for the year after my father left.
He melts into me, and I can feel him shaking.
“You okay?” I ask.
He nods. “I’ve just never told anyone but Marion about it.”
My heart beats harder, and I kiss the top of his head. “Thank you for telling me.”
“Marcus?” he asks in a small voice. “Tell me something true.”
I lick my lips because the moment suddenly feels heavy, and before I can take it back, I blurt, “I’m bi.” I hold my breath, waiting for the world to end, which, of course, it doesn’t.
Jeremy jerks out of my lap, staring at me with wide eyes.
His expression twists me up, and I start to babble. “I mean, I know you always joke that I’m gay, and I always deny it like a prick. But I just didn’t know then. And now I do. And I’m bisexual.”
He smiles and cups my face in his hands, his thumbs grazing my stubble. “I’m so proud of you,” he whispers. “Have you told your family?”
“No, but I want to. I just don’t know how. Maybe . . . maybe you can help me with that.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, Charlie is having a going-away party in February. She and the guys are going to Italy for a few weeks. I want you to come. I want to introduce you as my boyfriend. I want everyone to know. Everyone who matters, anyway.”
He laughs, his sweet breath coasting over my lips. “We’ll see,” he says with a wink.
He doesn’t believe I’ll do it, and I don’t blame him. I don’t really believe me, either. But I want it to be true.
With a sigh, I resume the movie. I don’t say anything when I hear Jeremy sniffling during the final scene, and I blink away the tears welling in my own eyes and hold him closer.
When did I get so sentimental?
“‘ . . . when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.’”
As soon as possible.
Something tugs in my chest, and I realize that April can’t get here soon enough.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
JEREMY
JANUARY
It’s almost February, and the pub isdone-done. I’m headed in for the final walk-through. A photographer withTheSeattle Timesis coming by today to take some photos, and I need to make sure everything is perfect.
