Promises

CHAPTER 3

SO THAT night, Matt met my family. Lizzy went home from work early, ostensibly to get a head start on dinner, but I think the real reason was so she could fill in Brian and Mom before we arrived. Brian, of course, was courteous. Mom was sizing him up but seemed to approve.

“Are you into mountain biking too?” she asked him at one point.

“I sold my bike before I moved here. I liked riding, but in Oklahoma, there aren’t really any mountains to bike in. Why?”

“Jared’s up there every time he has a day off. He goes alone. I keep telling him he shouldn’t. What if he got hurt?”

“Mom, cool it. Have I ever been hurt?”

“You get hurt every time!”

Oh boy, here we go. I was resisting the urge to roll my eyes at her. “Mom, bumps and bruises don’t count.”

“But you don’t even wear a helmet!”

She was starting to whine now. I hate the guilt trip, but I hate helmets more. “I do if it’s a hard trail. I wish you wouldn’t worry about it so much.”

“But there’s nobody with you, in case you need help.”

“Talk to your other son, Mom,” I said teasingly. “He’s the one who won’t ride with me anymore.”

“I can’t keep up!” Brian said, throwing his hands up like he was surrendering.

“Anyway,” Lizzy cut in, “it’s not the trails I worry about. It’s here in town that scares me. Crazy drivers talking on their cell phones and never watching where they’re going.” She was shaking her finger in my direction. It was not the first time I had heard that speech. “You ride to and from work every day, and you never wear your helmet. It’s not safe. I bet Matt can tell you about all kinds of terrible accidents involving bicyclists who weren’t wearing helmets, right Matt?”

He looked amused. “I know better than to get in the middle of a family argument.”

“Brian,” I entreated, “save me from your wife!”

Brian laughed but took pity on me and changed the subject. “So Matt, are you a football fan?”

“Of course.”

“You’re from Oklahoma? Are you a Cowboys fan?”

He actually grinned a little, and I could tell he was getting ready to let some big cat out of the bag. “I’m a Chiefs fan.”

“Oh no!” The whole table erupted. Lizzy started throwing rolls at him. We are a hardcore Broncos family, and declaring allegiance for our division rival, the Chiefs, was tantamount to heresy in our household.

Brian yelled gleefully, “Jared, you know better than to bring a Chiefs fan into my house! I should throw both of you out on your asses!”

“And you seemed like such a nice boy too,” Mom said mournfully but with a twinkle in her eye.

I was laughing. “Hey, I didn’t know! I assumed anybody smart enough to live in Colorado would know who the better team was!”

“All right,” Matt said. “Everybody calm down. You Broncos fans are so high strung!” That got him another round of razzing, and Lizzy threw another roll at him. He saw it coming, caught it, and turned to throw it at me. “You know, it could be worse. At least I’m not a Raiders fan!” And of course we all had to agree on that.

Right after dinner, Mom went home. I sent Matt out onto the patio while I went to fetch beer from the kitchen. When I walked in, Lizzy was beaming at me.

I tried to ignore that look and asked, “You coming outside with us?”

“Sure,” Brian started to say, “as soon as—”

“No!” Lizzy cut him off, slapping his arm playfully. “No. We’re going to give you boys some time alone.”

“Ah.” Brian looked a little troubled by that. I had a sudden Steve Atwater flashback.

Obviously, knowing I was gay was one thing, but this was the first time he had ever really had to think about me with a potential suitor. I hadn’t ever had a boyfriend serious enough to introduce to my family.

“Lizzy, I don’t think that’s necessary. I’m pretty sure that’s not what he has in mind.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure. You two couldn’t take your eyes off each other all through dinner. I’ll just go upstairs, and Brian will clean up.”

“What am I supposed to tell him?”

“Are you kidding? Tell him the pregnant lady got tired and had to lie down. It’s not even a lie. I’m exhausted. But”—and she pointed a finger right at me—“I expect a full report in the morning.”

Two beers later, I was feeling completely relaxed. We were sprawled in patio chairs, enjoying the unseasonably warm evening.

“So, are you married?” I asked him.

“Nope.”

“Divorced?”

“Nope.”

“Ever come close?”

“No.”

Well, that seemed odd. At our age, I would at least have expected a near miss. Unless….

“Why not?”

He was starting to look uncomfortable now, fidgeting with the label on his beer bottle. “Guess I just haven’t found a girl I felt that way about.”

“What about a guy?” it was out of my mouth before my good sense could stop it. And, of course, I really did want to know.

“What? No!” He looked alarmed and a little big angry. “Of course not. Why would you ask that?”

That tiny flicker of hope that Lizzy had lit within me died. “It was just a question. It’s no big deal. Sorry I brought it up.”

“I’m not gay!”

“Okay.”

“Why?” It sounded like a challenge. “Are you?”

“Yes.” He would have found out soon enough anyway.

He was taken aback. He frowned at me, looked me up and down. “You are? I mean, I was kidding. I didn’t really think that you would say yes.”

I laughed uncomfortably. “Well, I am.” I looked him square in the eyes. “Is that a problem?”

“Well….” To his credit, he actually stopped and thought about it. He was fidgeting with the label on his bottle again. “I don’t know. I never….” The label came off, and he seemed confused about what to do with it now that it was free.

“You know, it’s not contagious.” I was teasing now and hoping he would realize it. But I was also pretty sure he wouldn’t be asking me out for dinner or beers anymore.

“I know. Of course I know.” He sighed, and his shoulders relaxed a little. He shook his head. “I’m being an ass. It’s none of my business who you sleep with.” A pause, and then, “Just, I want you to know”—his eyes were on mine again—“I’m not.”

I smiled. “Hey, I’m not gonna kiss you or anything.” Although the thought of doing exactly that was enough to make my pulse speed up a little. But it was apparently what he needed to hear, because he relaxed the rest of the way with a sigh. “Anyway, no self-respecting Coloradoan would date a Chiefs fan.” That made him laugh, and after that, we were back on safe ground. The conversation seemed to be forgotten.

LIZZY called me first thing in the morning. “Well? What happened?”

“He’s straight.”

“Oh.” She sounded as disappointed as I was. “Are you sure?”

“He was pretty adamant about it.”

“Oh, Jared,” she said sincerely. “I’m so sorry!”

“Lizzy, it’s okay. Really. I barely know the guy. It’s not like I’m in love with him or anything.”

“I know, but you were so happy last night. I just want you to be happy.”

“I know, Lizzy. I’m not gonna say I wasn’t hoping. But he’s straight, and I guess that’s the end of it. I think I’ll live.”