My lips parted. “Things were complicated with me and your mom. It wasn’t that easy.”
“Love is always easy, Da. Once ye’ find the right girl, it’ll figure itself out.”
I watched him walk into the living room, and as I stared after him, I pondered if he was really my son or Alec’s.
“Who is this girl that has you madly in love with one glance?”
Leland fell into the couch, and said, “I’ve no idea, but I still love her.”
God, give me patience.
“Start from the beginning.”
“I saw ‘er on the sidelines durin’ me match today.” Leland sighed. “She’s one of me mate’s cousins, I know that much, but they left before I could ask ‘im what ‘er name was. She’s from Japan, and holy crap, she’s beautiful. She has hair as dark as night, skin like caramel, and she’s itty bitty. I’m gonna marry her, I know it.”
“You’re spending too much time around your uncle Alec.”
“Da,” Leland groaned as he rolled off the couch and onto the floor. “I’m in love, and I don’t even know ‘er name.”
I smiled, shook my head, and said, “Text your friend and ask him her name.”
“I already did that,” he grunted. “Akio says he won’t tell me because I’m not sniffin’ around his cousin. He said she doesn’t speak English very good either. He’s standin’ between me and the girl I’m goin’ to marry, the shitehead.”
I laughed. “Love always finds a way, don’t worry.”
“I guess,” he said just as Alannah hollered, “Dinner’s done.”
“Thank God,” Leland said as he got to his feet. “Bein’ in love makes me hungry.”
I playfully swiped at him as he ducked out of the room. My remaining three sons, Noble who was ten, Soren who was eight, and Heath who was six, all descended the stairs, talking at once. They walked by me without a word, but when they entered the kitchen, each of them hugged and kissed their mom. I glared after the little turds before I followed them and joined them all at the table as my wife, and Kailen, served us dinner. Once everyone was seated and eating away, conversation about the soccer games earlier in the day became the main topic of discussion.
“I have somethin’ I wanna say,” Kailen said during a moment of silence.
Noble looked at Kailen, and said, “So say it.”
“I will, but before I do, I want ye’s to promise me ye’s won’t think differently of me.”
I felt nervous on my son’s behalf but so proud of him for deciding to tell his brothers about his sexuality.
“I’d never think different of ye’,” Soren said. “So shoot.”
The rest of the boys nodded in agreement, so after Kailen looked at me and his mom for support, he took a breath and said, “I’m bisexual, and I have a boyfriend. Ye’ might know ‘im. It’s Rome Forrest.”
Leland, who was next to me, began to choke on his chicken, so I smacked his back out of instinct.
“You’re gay?” Leland eventually asked, his breathing laboured.
Kailen stared at not only his brother but his best friend.
“No,” he said, calmly before he repeated, “I’m bisexual.”
Leland stared at Kailen, and Kailen stared right back at him. I didn’t realise I was holding my breath until my chest began to burn with pain. I prayed my son didn’t say something homophobic because I knew it’d devastate Kailen. They were the closest of my boys, and they were always together.
“I’m not hungry anymore,” Leland suddenly said and got to his feet.
Tears filled Alannah’s eyes instantly.
“Leland!” Kailen shouted, jumped to his feet and stopped Leland from leaving the room. “Don’t be like this, man. Please.”
“Be like what?”
“Don’t be weird about this,” Kailen pleaded, his hands shaking. “You’re me best friend, me brother, and I don’t want ye’ to ... to hate me.”
“I don’t bloody hate ye’,” Leland stated. “I’m pissed at ye’.”
“Why?”
“Ye’ know I hate Rome Forrest. He is an arsehole who never passes the bloody ball durin’ our matches, and he always talks shite, now I’m supposed to be chilled with ye’ just announcin’ at the dinner table that you’re goin’ out with ‘im? No, ye’ can piss off, Kailen.”
Things were silence for a few seconds, then Kailen’s laughter rang loud and clear.
“What the hell are you laughin’ at?” Leland demanded, shoving his brother. “This isn’t funny.”
“You’re mad at me about Rome, not about me bein’ bi?”
“Are ye’ thick?” Leland asked, baffled. “Obviously, it’s over Rome. Why would I be mad at ye’ over ye’ likin’ lad?”
Alannah laughed as the tears left her eyes, I practically deflated against my chair, and Kailen wrapped his arms around his brother and hugged him tightly.
“I’m was shittin’ it to tell ye’. I thought ye’ might—”
“Want nothin’ to do with ye’?” Leland finished, returning his brother’s hug.
Kailen nodded and cleared his throat when he and his brother separated.
“Rome’s chill, Leland.”