“Prepared as I’ll ever be,” I say. Twenty minutes later, we roll as much as Drew’s dad and mom’ anniversary occasion.

25

Bailey

A banner saying the thirty-fifth anniversary of Roy and Sandra Hicks clues us in on which entrance to make use of as Cooper pulls his automobile round to park. The occasion middle is beautiful, tasteful and delicate. Driving previous, you’d assume it was some upscale dwelling, not party-rental amenities.

I haven’t seen Drew’s dad and mom in ages. I’ve met loads of his prolonged household over time, between courting Alan and being buddies with Drew; I assume that’s the rationale for my invitation as we speak. Any awkwardness I felt over seeing my ex-fiancé has principally fallen away over time, although I believe he’s gone out of his technique to keep away from speaking to me at get-togethers like this one. Right this moment, nevertheless, we couldn’t keep away from one another if we tried.

I sneak one other look at Cooper. He’s holding up effectively up to now, if trying somewhat grey. I’d be much less nervous if we’d managed to get out of the automobile by now, however he’s holding onto the steering wheel just like the automobile may begin driving itself any second.

“Okay there, Coop?”

My query startles him sufficient to jerk his fingers off the wheel, wiping his palms on his gown slacks. He’s as dressed up as I’ve ever seen him, besides that night time on the gala, and damned if adulting doesn’t go well with him simply as a lot as his traditional guitarist-meets-hipster fashion.

“I’m good,” he says, licking his lips nervously.

“Most days I’d be the primary to agree with you on that,” I say, nodding. “However you look somewhat nervous.”

“That is fucking nuts, Ross,” he mutters, scrubbing a hand over his face. “You’ve met these individuals earlier than.”

“I’ve,” I say, reaching over to squeeze his hand. “I promise, they’re not going to burn you on the stake. Not less than, not on sight.”

“Humorous woman,” he says, obtrusive at me.

“I strive.”

“I do know Drew mentioned they’re all chill with him being bi,” he says, “However nonetheless…”

“However it’s nonetheless assembly the dad and mom.”

“And I’m nonetheless not loopy about leaving you out of it,” says Cooper.

“I’m not both, however you already know it’s for the perfect,” I say. I’d made my peace with that someday over the past couple of weeks. I do know Sandra and Roy, to not point out the aunts and uncles and a bunch of the cousins. I do know they love Drew and wish what’s finest for him, even when they’ve conflicting concepts about simply what that may be at occasions. He didn’t like us coming right here like this, Cooper and him as boyfriends and me on my own. Neither did Cooper. However all of us agreed it was for the perfect; it’d hardly be respectful to Sandra and Roy if we got here out at their huge celebration.

All that apart, Cooper’s strolling into all of it somewhat blind. Which solely makes me admire him that rather more. The boy’s received balls of brass. Each my boys do.

“What are you smiling at?” he asks, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

“Simply desirous about what we get to do when the occasion’s over,” I say, aiming to distract him. It virtually works.

“Get drunk as hell?” he asks, making me giggle.

“Possibly that too,” I say. “We haven’t performed that collectively since faculty.”

Cooper’s amusement slides right into a leer.

“Know what else we haven’t performed since faculty?” he asks. I do know precisely what he’s speaking about and my face goes beet crimson.

“Nope,” I say. “Not going to occur.”

“Actually?” The crestfallen look on his face makes me giggle another time, although I’m nonetheless blushing exhausting sufficient to mild an airport runway.

“I imply, we’re not going to speak about it now,” I say.

“In order that’s not a tough no to—”

“Put it aside,” I say, smacking his arm. He chuckles once more, then takes a deep breath. “You prepared for this?”

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