Who Knew?

Chapter 20:

POV- Wyatt

Holy shit. I can't believe I'm about to come out to my parents. This is crazy. This is right. Yes, it's right. I want to do this. I want everything out in the open. I don't want to hide anymore. 

My knee bounces up and down rapidly as Ruben drives down the highway. It's like it's got a mind of its own. I can't quiet my thoughts. I don't think I've ever been this nervous in my entire life. 

Ruben reaches over the center console and places a hand on my knee, effectively stopping the bouncing. I grip his hand tightly in my own. He's been sending me these little worried glances during the ride so far, and I smile at him reassuringly.

We're silent for the duration of the drive. Too quickly we're only ten minutes away. Then five. And four, three, two. My house comes into view and my grip on Ruben's comes to the point that his face is in permanent grimace mode. He says nothing though and, seeing the look on his face, I immediately let his hand go. His hand automatically stretches and clenches, trying to regain feeling. I mumble an apology, but he just smiles and squeezes my thigh gently. 

"If you're not ready-"

"I am."

He smiles softly. "Alright. I believe you. And I believe in you."

I take the ultimate deep breath and get out of the car. Ruben gets out as well, massaging his hand when he thinks I can't see. I cringe and take his hind. "I'm fine," he says.

I roll my eyes. "I'm still sorry. I didn't mean to hold on so tight." I bring his hand to my lips and kiss it softley.

He smirks. "All better."

We walk into the house to find my mom at the counter, making dinner. She's got her ear buds in so she didn't hear us come in. I sneak up behind her, surprising her with a kiss on the cheek. She yelps, yanking on the cord of her earbuds, and hits me in the arm with a wooden spoon. All of the sudden, the nerves kind of just trickle away.

"You scared me!" 

"Sorry," I say, chuckling. 

"Mmh-mmh. Just for taking ten years off my life, you don't get any on my famous shepherd's pie."

Oh hell no. "I'm sorry mommy please feed me. Your shepherd's pie is like heaven in my mouth. I'll literally die if I don't get any."

She smiles. "Hi Ruben. You staying for dinner?"

He grins, leaning over the island in the center of the room. "I would love too Mrs. Parker if that's okay with you."

Humming, she smiles at him. "Ever the gentleman. I would be delighted if you stay. And please, Nancy."

Ruben only smiles, knowing full well that she loves his manors. "Well in that case, I've heard great things about this famous shepherd's pie of yours." He sends a wink my way and I can feel the blood rushing to my face. 

Mom beams in delight. "It's almost ready, so why don't you too help set the table and go get your brother. Dad should be home any minute. Jake is up in his room, doing God knows what. Grab him and send him in here, he can help me plate the food." 

Sending a small smile Ruben's way, I grab a stack of plates and head into the dining room. Ruben follows me with an armful of placemats and utensils. I wait for him to lay down the placemats before placing the plates on top. After that, Ruben spends an insane amount of time putting the fucking forks and knives on the table. 

I watch in amused surprise as he squats down to get eye level with the table. He uses the tip of his finger to move the prongs of the fork ever so slightly to the left. Then, moving onto the next setting to do the same thing.