only gonna complicate matters.” He sighed. “Send me a text, okay? Let me know how it goes?”
Joel nodded. “Sure.” Deep down he knew Finn was right. This was something he and Nate needed to sort out together. He leaned forward and kissed Finn on the lips. “Thank you.”
Finn stroked his cheek. “Try not to worry, okay? It’s gonna work out.”
Joel wished he could be that certain.
Finn got to his feet and glanced at his body. “Just thankful I put on a pair of your sweats before I came out of the bathroom. Imagine if he’d caught me in a towel.”
Joel sighed. “I don’t think it would’ve made the situation any worse than it already was.”
“I’ll go get my clothes.” Finn headed up the stairs.
Bramble pushed his nose into Joel’s hand, and Joel stroked his soft ears. “This is a mess, boy,” he whispered. Nate was still talking, but his voice had lost its vehemence and harshness. Moments later, Finn was back. He grabbed his boots from the mat and put them on, peering toward the back door. When he was ready he glanced at Joel.
Call me? he mouthed. Joel nodded. Finn opened the front door and stepped outside.
Now it was just Joel and his son.
He looked at the wall clock. Nate had to have been talking for about ten minutes or so, but whatever Carrie was saying seemed to be working. Nate spoke quietly, calmer than before, but Joel didn’t dare move from his rocking chair.
The ball was in Nate’s court.
Silence fell, and a moment later Nate walked into view. He came over to the rocking chair and held out Joel’s phone. “Here.”
Joel took it and shoved it into his sweats pocket. Nate stood there, his arms limp at his sides. When it became clear Nate wasn’t going to break the silence, Joel sighed. “So now you know.”
Nate swallowed. “But why didn’t I hear this from you? Why did you hide it?” He widened his eyes. “Did you think I’d freak? Jesus, Dad, don’t you know me?”
“I didn’t know the person you’d become,” Joel admitted. “You didn’t talk, didn’t share… I had no idea how you’d take it. Let’s be honest here. Our relationship used to be better, but it’s been in the shitter for a while.” When Nate blinked, Joel chuckled. “Considering what I said to you earlier, I think that’s mild, don’t you?”
Nate bit his lip. “Kinda, yeah.” He breathed a little easier. “Mom said to tell you she’ll be here in the morning with Laura.” He swallowed hard. “She also said I shouldn’t blame you.”
“That’s because your mom is a sweet person and I don’t deserve her.” Joel’s throat tightened. “She and I disagree on the blame part, however.” There was something else he had to get out. “Nate… I never lied to you. I wouldn’t do that.”
Nate expelled a breath. “Mom called it a sin of omission. I guess you can’t call it lying if you don’t actually say anything.” He glanced around. “Did Finn leave?”
Joel nodded. “He figured we needed a little space.”
“I really laid into him, didn’t I?” Nate’s face fell. “I should go.”
Joel was on his feet in a heartbeat. “Why? Your mom will be here tomorrow. You might as well stay tonight.” He took a breath. “I’m not happy about you driving all that way.”
“I’m calmer now.”
“Sure, but…” Joel strove to find the words. “Stay?” When Nate didn’t respond, Joel pushed ahead. “The past six months have been tough on all of us. Maybe we need to spend some time together, just the two of us. You know, eat pizza, watch a movie, chill…” He locked gazes with Nate. “Talk, maybe, without all the strain, tension and repressed anger that’s underlaid every conversation we’ve had since I moved out.” Joel held up his hands. “I know, I know. If I’d just told you the truth, things might have been different. That’s my fault. I told your mom I’d be the one to tell you everything.” Joel swallowed hard. “I got scared, all right? I didn’t want to lose you.”
Nate stared at him for a moment. “I’ll stay.” He expelled a breath. “And I’d like to talk. I want to know more.”
“Anything in particular?”
He nodded. “I wanna hear about you growing up. Shit, I wanna hear everything. I suddenly learned my dad is gay. You gotta know I have questions.”
Joel didn’t doubt that for a second.
Nate tilted his head to one side. “Mom said there was a boyfriend before she came on the