Tate couldn’t help the laugh that boomed out of him at that. “I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that. But you researched this place, didn’t you? What else did you research?”
“Nothing.”
“Liar,” Tate teased. “When we get back home, I want to see you in your pressed polo shirt, proper pants, and glasses with a book in your hand. All nerdtastic.”
“You’re really starting to push it, Tate.”
“Oh yeah? And what are you going to do about it?” he taunted and then lowered his voice. “Don’t tell me you didn’t fantasize about the jock…or the broody music student who played his guitar.”
Logan stopped just as they reached the steps that would take them to the front door of the boathouse and replied, “I had the jock, and he didn’t live up to any fantasies I had in my head. As for the broody music student…”
“Yes?” Tate asked, loving the smile that spread across Logan’s mouth before he answered.
“He far surpassed them all.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
It was Sunday evening when Logan turned his car onto Tate’s childhood street. It’d been around an hour and a half since they’d landed, and it had been bittersweet leaving New York behind. They both knew they had to come back to their real lives, but as he pulled the car to the curb in front of the two-story house, Logan thought, Why do we have to start with the ugliest part first?
Tate reached across the car to touch his thigh, and Logan glanced down and put his hand over the top of it. Bringing his eyes up to the concerned ones looking at him, he found himself smiling over at Tate.
“Shouldn’t I be the one comforting you right about now?” he joked, trying to lighten the mood.
“Why? I’m not the one who’s worried. Everything I want is right here in this car. That’s not about to change.”
Logan leaned his head back on the headrest and closed his eyes. “Sweet talker.”
“It’s the truth.”
“Then remind me again. Why are we here?”
Tate let out a soft sigh. “Because I figure if my father can swallow his pride and apologize… then the least I can do is see where things stand with the rest of them.”
Logan couldn’t fault him for that. He was the one person who’d reached out to him during Tate’s hospital stay. Logan hadn’t seen him since, but he knew he’d visited with Tate, and it made him hopeful that maybe at least one of his parents would come around and accept his decision.
But will he accept us?
“All right, then. Let’s go and see if the Morrisons are home.”
Tate released his hand to open the door, and Logan climbed out also, rubbing his palms over the front of his jeans. He waited by the side of the car as Tate came around and held his hand out to him.
“Come on. I think it’s about time you were introduced to my family the way you should’ve been the first time.”
As Logan stepped onto the sidewalk and slipped his hand into Tate’s, he marveled at the difference between now and the first time they’d stood here.
“And how is that?” he asked, curious of how Tate saw him—saw them.
He started to walk up the drive, making Logan have to follow or let his hand go, and once they’d reached the white steps leading to the wrap-around porch, Tate kissed him. “As my boyfriend and the man I love. The person I now live with.”
“That’s a lot of information right there,” Logan said, trying to hold back the smile he felt threatening to appear.
“It is. But they need to know that’s the way it is. If they want to be in my life,” Tate said as he backed up two of the steps, “in any way—whether it’s on Sundays for dinner or in hospital rooms because I’ve been in an accident—then they need to know that you are going to be there. You’re the only person I want there. Everyone else is just an added bonus. Got it?”
Logan took a step up, stroked Tate’s cheek, and told him, “You make me so fucking happy. I had no idea I never was before.”
Tate smiled broadly before capturing his lips in a kiss. Then he turned to make his way to the front door while Logan lingered just behind him, waiting for whatever the hell was about to take place. But he wouldn’t have to wait long because Tate raised his hand and knocked.
* * *
As Tate stood there with Logan’s hand in his, he wondered what was about to happen. But instead of the apprehension he’d once felt about bringing Logan home to meet his parents, he felt proud.
I have a caring, successful partner. Hell yes, I’m proud, he thought as the door opened and his father stood before them.