This is a sequel to "My Best Friend's Brother" which is about Joey and Josh dating. I definitely want to keep writing about this ship in the future, even though I only planned for one more story in the saga there will probably be a couple more because Joey and Josh are so sweet together.
When he'd started doing stand-up, Joey would get stage fright. But right now he was much more nervous than he'd ever been while performing.
Fortunately, he had a good support system. Maddie knew everything and supported him, and the family already liked Josh. So telling his parents and other siblings that he and Josh were dating would be fine, right? Right?
Joey imagined talking about this on stage, mumbling to himself as he got ready and waited for Josh to arrive.
"It's kind of messed up that when you're queer you have to tell people when you start dating someone. When I had a girlfriend I didn't have to be like, 'Hey, mom and dad, I'm straight, this is Willow.' I shouldn't have to come out now that I have a boyfriend." He'd workshop that before he performed it but it was a solid start.
He heard the doorbell ring out through the whole house and rushed downstairs before anyone else could open the door, wanting at least one moment alone with his boyfriend before everyone knew.
And there he was, standing in front of him in all his glory. Joey threw his arms around Josh and almost cried.
"I'm so glad you're here," he whispered.
"I'm glad I'm here too," Josh said, feeling the tension in Joey's back and gently beginning to rub circles in it.
"This whole week, since Maddie found out, I've been nauseous with worry," Joey admitted.
Now Josh held Joey at arm's length, looking at him with those loving eyes that immediately soothed Joey's fears.
"Hey, no, it's okay Joey. You know we don't have to tell them today if you don't want to. It's more important to me that you feel okay. There's no deadline for this."
"No, I want to tell them. I've just been so worried that this will change how my parents see me."
"Your parents love you. They'll see that you're finally happy and they'll support you wholeheartedly." Josh paused, "You are happy, right?"
"I am the happiest I've ever been," Joey promised, taking a deep breath and steadying himself.
"Come on, darling. Let's go tell my family."
Rooney family dinners tended to be a little crazy, so Joey had to bide his time and ride out the chaos until a window of opportunity appeared.
"Hey, guys? I have something to tell you." Joey glanced around, Josh was looking at him with total love, and Maddie was smiling supportively.
"What is it, sweetheart?" Karen asked.
Joey stole another glance at Josh and suddenly he felt brave enough to say what was on his heart.
"I'm gay. Josh is my boyfriend."
Everyone other than Maddie was too stunned to speak, with Parker breaking the silence first.
"What? That's not allowed," Parker said.
Joey wasn't expecting that.
"It's who I am. I can't just not be gay because some people don't accept me."
"I don't care if you like dudes or chicks but you can't just date Maddie's ex-boyfriend. That's not allowed, right?"
"I'm okay with it," Maddie said with a shrug.
"Congratulations, both of you," Liv said.
Karen had recovered from her shock and was smiling.
"Thank you for telling us, Joey. Your father and I support you wholeheartedly."
Pete wasn't arguing with that, but now he had something else on his mind.
"Josh."
"Yes sir?" Josh remembered how overprotective Mr. Rooney had been when he was dating Maddie, so he was a little nervous.
"You better treat my son right."
"Of course, sir. I really love Joey, I would never do anything to hurt him."
"Good."
"Plus, Maddie has properly threatened me already," Josh said, taking Joey's hand underneath the table as he talked.
Liv gasped, "You already knew?! And you didn't tell me?!"
"I've known for a few days. Geez, Liv, it wasn't my secret to tell."
Liv huffed, "I suppose that makes sense…"
"I really appreciate all of you supporting me," Joey said, squeezing Josh's hand.
"We'll always support you," Pete said, "just make sure that you two are responsible."
"Of course," Joey said quickly, not wanting to get into intimate details about his relationship with his parents.
"You're always welcome in our home," Karen added, smiling at Josh.
Josh beamed, "Thank you."
He didn't say that not all of his own family was so accepting. He simply enjoyed the warm welcome he got from his beloved's family and the smile on Joey's face as a weight fell off both of their shoulders.