Blurred Lines [BxB] COMPLETED

0.25

0.25 - Saturday 11:26 a.m.

Rhys Wyer

"How is Maverick doing?" my dad asks after a bite of his pancake. If we were eating anything other than pancakes for family breakfast I wouldn't be able to stomach it, but when can you not eat pancakes?

"He left the hospital this morning. Probably won't be able to play the rest of the season," I say, swatting at my brother's hand that tries to steal my bacon. "Stop it, Kevin."

"Yeah, Cameron told me that Maverick is just crushed about it," my mom says.

"Poor kid," my dad says. "How will the team do without him?"

"Depends," I say. "They have some decent players to fill him in. You never know, though." My dad nods in agreement, and the table falls silent as everyone continues to eat.

Even though I haven't decided whether I should come out to my family at this moment, my heart still beats hard and painfully in my chest, like my body instinctively knows this pause in conversation is perfect. I scan my family's faces, one by one, trying to gather the courage and just say it.

My skin turns hot, then cold, and I realize I'm sweating and I try to take deep breaths as discreetly as possible. What am I scared of? My parents aren't homophobic. My brother will probably be surprised then move on. I know they won't kick me out and throw bibles at me or something.

I open my mouth. Close it. Almost dizzy, head light. Why can't this be easy? Why do I care about what people think so much?

"So, what's everyone doing today?" my mom asks. The moment's gone. I take a sip from my glass of water. Maybe I should tell one of them at a time. I'll help my mom clean up and tell her. Then I'll get my dad alone...

Or would it be better to get them all done in one blow?

Fuck, why do I even have to come out? Straight people never have to.

I take my phone out of my pocket and hide it in my lap, opening a text message with Mav.

Me: it's so hard to tell them

Mav answers a few seconds later. He must have been on his phone already.

Maverick: you don't have to tell them if you don't want to. I will still love you

I stare at those words, a nervous flutter in my stomach even though he's told me several times. Mav loves me. Mav is in love with me. And you love him too.

"I'm going on a date. Tonight," I blurt out, and I can't remember deciding to speak, just that I did. My parents look surprised, my brother annoyed. I must have interrupted him. Before they can speak, my mouth moves, forming words, "With a boy. I'm gay."

An invisible hand grips my chest, squeezing any oxygen out. My pulse jumps in my throat, every muscle in my body tense and trembling.

I want to know what everyone is thinking, but at the same time I just want to run up to my room and lock the door and never come out again. The sun shines through the window, and it's too bright, too visible.

If it was any other situation, I would have laughed. My mother's lips have formed a perfect 'o'. My father's brows have furrowed, like he's laboring over a difficult math problem. My brother's jaw has gone slack.

"I... I can't say I saw this coming," my mom says, staring vacantly at the table.

"Are... are you sure?" my dad asks. I definitely didn't expect them to doubt me, but maybe I should have. Didn't I doubt Mav at first?