Demon: Book 1

Chapter 25: No Boys

"Dad, I—" I couldn't find the right words. "I just didn't, Titus and I..."

He pulled over and put the car in park. "I asked you, Aden. I asked you point-blank if something was going on between you and that boy, and you lied."

"It's not an easy thing to admit." I wiped my face. "I'm sorry."

My father sighed, shaking his head. "I understand why it would be hard, but I want you to be honest." He faced me. "What kind of relationship do you have with Titus? I want an honest answer."

I let out a shaky breath. "We're going out."

Closing his eyes, my dad banged his head against the seat. He ran his hands down his face before putting the truck in drive and turning around.

"Where are we going?"

"Home," he said firmly. "We need to sit down with your mother and discuss a few things."

"You have work, though."

"I'll call in and get someone to cover for me."

Sucking in my lips, I nodded.

We drove home in silence. I was too nervous and anxious to say anything or even mess with the radio. After pulling into the driveway, we both climbed out of the truck. My dad opened the front door and ushered me inside.

My mother hurried out of the bedroom with Demon wrapped in a towel. "Quint?"

"I know, Karen." He went to the kitchen.

We shuffled along behind him to the table and sat down.

"He was scared," said my mom. "We were going to try to ease you into the idea."

My father stared at me. I couldn't meet his gaze and kept my eyes pointed at my lap.

"How long have you known?"

She placed the dog on the ground. "Last week, I walked in on them kissing."

"Hmm..." His stare intensified. "Has it gone past kissing, Aden?"

My face shone red, and I quickly hid behind my hands.

"Aden?" he said sternly. "Answer me."

The tears were coming. I should have told him the day my mom found out so I wouldn't have to go through this twice. A chair was pushed back, and the one at my side was pulled out.

My father wrapped me in his arms. "It's fine, alright. I'm not mad. Just disappointed. You keep lying to me. I just want you to be honest."

"We did," I whispered. "We didn't have sex, but we've done other things."

"While you were here?"

"Yes." I wiped my face. "I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry. I just wanted to be with him. I really like Titus."

"Did he force you?"

I shook my head, startled by the question. "No. No, never. Titus would never do that to me. I wanted to do more, but he said we should wait. It was me, not him."

He hugged me tighter. "Aden, I don't want you seeing him anymore."

My mouth dropped open. "What? I thought... I thought you were okay with it."

My mother hurried over. "Quint, don't be like this. I've spoken to them, and they're going to take it slow. They know what we expect of them."

He shook his head. "He's too young." Standing, he walked to the living room.

My mom marched after him. "Quint," she snapped. "Aden is eighteen. Legally, he can do what he wants."

"My house, my rules."

I slipped out of my chair and sat on the stairs.

"Titus is a good boy," she stated. "I'll admit, they let their hormones take over, but no harm was done. You can't say he's too young when we've allowed him to date for years."

"Those were girls, Karen." He walked to the fireplace. "This one, though. If he wants something, he'll take it. He's twice the size of Aden. I don't want our son involved with someone like that. Aden is not allowed to see Titus again."

My chest tightened.

"You're being ridiculous. Titus would never do that." She put her hands on her hips. "They've done nothing wrong."

"Yet!" He pounded his fist on the mantle. "Not yet. Titus will only cause problems. Trust me on that, and I refuse to put this family through. Aden is my son, gay or straight, I don't give a damn, but I'm not letting this happen. Not with Titus."

"You're hurting him, you know that. You don't know how close they've grown. You haven't seen them together. Titus treats Aden better than anyone our son has ever gone out with. Better than even his friends."

"In a year"—my father took a deep breath—"Aden will go to college. He'll meet new people and not fall for the first boy to pay him a little attention. So until then, no boys, period. I will not allow my son to play around in the woods with a horny man. The answer is no. Titus is not allowed in this house."

I covered my mouth as the hot tears fell. I fled up the stairs and slammed my bedroom door. Titus would never hurt me. He'd never do anything bad to me. He was kind, he was so kind. I didn't want to break up with him. I couldn't break up with him.

Sitting on the floor, I pulled my knees to my chest. This shouldn't be happening. If my dad was okay with me being gay, then being with Titus should be okay, too. I laid my head back on my bed and took deep breaths.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. My mother stepped inside, followed by my father. She helped me off the floor and onto the bed.

"Aden," said my father.

I didn't look up.

"You need to break up with Titus. After you graduate, if you want to try again with him, that's fine; that's your choice. But for now, I don't want you to see him anymore."

"Why?"

"Being gay in this town is hard," said my dad. "I don't want to see you go through that. You have one more year of high school until you can go somewhere more accepting. Just wait until college, and who knows, maybe you'll find someone better than Titus."

I clenched my jaw. "Maybe I don't want to wait." I hurried out of the room.

"Aden," called my mother.

Going into the bathroom, I slammed the door shut and locked it. My parents could be heard in the hallway, but in whispers. The creaking of the stairs signaled they had gone downstairs. I waited a few minutes before returning to my room.

Flopping onto the bed, I felt so frustrated and hurt. I couldn't do that. I couldn't just break up with Titus. I couldn't do that to someone I could, for once, actually say I was in love with.