Page 58 of The Way Home

He took a deep breath and continued poking his ravioli, trying to tamp down the storm of emotions surging through him.

Chapter 14

“I am curiousabout your family,” Jamie said. “That just feels like something that I should know.”

As your boyfriend.He left that tidbit out. Was he Caleb’s boyfriend? Probably, though it didn’t really…feellike it. It felt more like they were on a second date.

“I don’t mind talking about it,” Caleb replied, though his eyes saddened a bit. “There’s not much to say.”

“I doubt that.”

Caleb took a bite of ravioli and shrugged. “Dad still lives in Youngstown. He’s a veteran. Retired from the military when I was in high school. My sister, Bri, still lives with him. She’s a nail technician.” He scratched the back of his head. “And, uh, my other sister, Tay, lives out in California. She’s studying to be a lawyer.”

“And your mum?”

A heavy silence settled between them, and Caleb seemed to be battling what to say next.

“She passed. A few years ago.”

Jamie’s heart fell. “Oh, Caleb. I’m so sorry.”

A small, tired smile spread on Caleb’s face. “It’s okay. You helped a lot during that time.” His eyes met Jamie’s. “I swear you got me through it.” Jamie’s cheeks flushed.

“Well, you also had your dad and sisters, yeah?”

Caleb clenched his jaw. “I don’t talk to Dad and Bri much at all,to be honest. They’re… not great.” His hands tightened on his fork. “I mean, I’d be there if they needed anything, but… yeah.”

“Can I ask why?”

“My dad was the coach of the football team. You know, a big,manlyguy. Wasn’t thrilled to have a gay son, you know?”

Jamie’s eyebrows pinched together, and a surge of anger flooded his chest. “Did your dad always know you were gay?”

“No, I came out in high school.”

“Oh.” He couldn’t imagine how hard that would be.

“Yep, andverypublicly.” Caleb smirked, eyes distant as though recalling a memory. “I was that kind of teenager. Kissed my boyfriend on homecoming night in front of the whole town.” He chuckled. “Dad looked like he saw a ghost.”

“That’s incredible.”

Caleb’s smile fell. “It wasn’t. I was young and stupid. It was a huge mistake.”

“What? No, that’s so brave.”

“I didn’t think about what that would mean for my boyfriend at the time. We both—” Caleb looked down at his plate. “Things got bad for him, and it was all my fault.”

Jamie reached across the table and took Caleb’s hand in his, gently stroking his knuckles. His heart hurt for young Caleb, just trying to be himself.

“It’s a fucked up world we live in,” Jamie said softly.

“Yeah, well.” Caleb stared down at their hands and blinked. “Anyway, Dad got pretty fucking weird after that. So did my sister, Bri. But the real falling out happened when Tay moved to California and came out as trans.”

Jamie’s heart tugged. “I’m sure your dad had a lot of opinions about that.”

“Yeah, we got into it one day about it. There was a lot of yelling and, well, things got pretty physical. I walked out that day, and we haven’t spoken since.” Caleb pulled his hand away and took a sip of his drink. “Ruined things between him and Tay, too. Sometimes I just can’t keep my mouth shut.”

“You shouldn’t have to! That’s bloodybrave, Caleb. Standing up for your sister and yourself.”