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Nick's parents were still arguing at the table when Charlie came outside to find Nick. "Are you okay?"
Nodding, Nick appeared to think it over. "I actually think I am. I didn't mean for it to happen that way, but, um … it felt good to say it."
Charlie smiled at him, so proud of him for keeping his temper, for saying everything that needed to be said. "Do you want a hug anyway?"
As he had expected, Nick did. They held each other tight. This was what mattered, the two of them. Not Nick's dad or his brother, or Charlie's parents, or Ben, or anyone. Just them. Together.
Sarah came out of the house while they were hugging. She came toward them, forcing a smile. "Well, that went well."
Nick let go of Charlie and turned to his mum. "Sorry."
"No, I'm pleased you said what you said. Especially to your dad. He needed to hear it."
"He's not a very good dad, is he?"
Sarah laughed. "No, he's not."
Nick thought that over. "Wh—why doesn't he care?"
She considered the question for a moment. "I wish I understood, but I don't. I think it's a very sad way to exist." She reached out to hug Nick. When they let go, she said, "What shall we talk about over dessert?"
They all laughed.
But actually, the rest of the night was quite pleasant. David sulked, but you couldn't really tell a difference there—at least, Charlie couldn't. Sarah and Charlie's dad kept the conversation going. Stephane was quiet, occasionally taking looks at Nick and glancing at Charlie now and then. Charlie imagined he was wondering what his son saw in this skinny dark-haired kid. Well, that was okay. He wondered it sometimes, too.
He sat there next to Nick, feeling his boyfriend's warmth as their shoulders brushed, and thought that soon it would be over, and they didn't have to do this again for a good long time.
After dinner, his mum offered to help with the washing up, and she and Sarah talked about domestic issues as they worked side by side. Charlie's dad talked to Nick about rugby—he knew more than Charlie had expected him to.
And Stephane left, quietly. Charlie didn't even notice he was gone until his parents started making noises about needing to leave.
Sarah walked them all to the door. "Sorry about all the drama."
"Oh, we are very used to drama in our house," Charlie's mum assured her.
Since he suspected he was the drama she was referring to, that stung a bit. Still, it was nice of her to try to make Sarah feel better.
"It takes a lot for Nick to stand up to David like that," Sarah said. "He must care for Charlie very deeply."
Charlie's mum turned back to look at him. She rarely seemed that uncertain. He hoped that maybe she was coming to accept that this was more than a crush—that Nick was a very important part of his life, and was likely to stay that way.
Behind him, Tori was asking Nick if he was okay, and he was assuring her that he was.
As Charlie caught up with his mum, she ducked her head a little. "He's a nice boy," she admitted. "When he's not distracting you from your coursework." From her, that was a glowing review. "And maybe we could have him and Sarah round in a few weeks?"
Charlie grinned. "Yeah."
"Okay." She put a hand on his arm, briefly, and went to the door to say goodbye to Sarah.
Nick followed Charlie outside, standing there and smiling at him. "So. Prom tomorrow?"
"Yeah. We're still going together?"
"Yeah."
"Like together together?" Charlie still couldn't quite believe it.
"Yeah. Don't you want to?"
The car started, a signal that Charlie needed to go. He didn't want to. He wanted to stay here with Nick, possibly forever. He leaned up and kissed his boyfriend goodbye, right there in front of their families, and headed for the car.
That night, as Charlie was getting ready for bed, a knock came at his door. "Come in," he called, expecting it to be Tori.
But instead, it was his dad. "I just wanted to check on you. That was a lot, tonight."
"Yeah. Yeah, it was. But I'm fine. Thanks." His father nodded and started to step out of the room, but Charlie called out after him. "Dad?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you. For … for trying."
"Of course. Charlie … you're my son. I'm—" He was struggling a bit. In Charlie's family, they didn't talk about their feelings. They were polite. And his father was always so quiet. He let Charlie's mum lead, do most of the talking. "I'm proud of you. After—after what happened, I was so worried for you. But I knew you had your friends, and … now I know you have Nick. But—you always have me, too, Charlie. I love you."
"Dad," Charlie whispered, surprised by the sentiment and the support. "I—I love you, too."
His dad cleared his throat. "And, well … I'm no rugby star, but I know a few things. If you wanted to throw the ball a bit in the park some afternoon? Maybe you and Nick?"
Charlie grinned. "Yeah. Yeah, I'd like that. Thanks, Dad."
"Good-night, Charlie."
"Good-night, Dad."
His door closed with a soft click. Charlie stared at it for a moment. He'd always taken his parents for granted, when he wasn't feeling sorry for himself because they were so strict and had such high expectations always. But … they were always there. He hadn't hesitated to come out to them, and they had been supportive from the first.
And Tori. No one could ask for a fiercer protector than his sister, or a sibling more firmly in their corner. Yes, Charlie thought, pulling back his covers and climbing into bed. His family might be odd, and a bit on the cold and distant side, but they were a family, first and foremost, and that meant more than he had ever imagined it might.