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The thought had never even crossed my mind. “Well, obviously, that’s not true. I’m queer as hell, and you’re straight as an arrow.”
Surprise flickered across RJ’s face.Interesting.
I quirked an eyebrow. “Is there something you need to tell me, boo? Because this is a safe place. I would never judge you.”
“What are you going to do about Andy? Are you going to get back together with him?” RJ murmured as a blush crept up his neck and over his cheeks.
He was an exact copy of his father, minus the scowl and tattoos. All broad shoulders and bulky muscles. He had midnight-black hair that curled around his ears and the kindest blue eyes I had ever seen. His parents were great, but Rand was kind of scary.
I raised my chin. Had my gaydar faltered on me? “Don’t try to change the subject.” I speared a piece of chicken with my fork and pointed it at him before I popped it into my mouth.
“We were talking about you first,” RJ shot back.
I raised my chin. “How’s Frankie?” She had been his on-again-off-again girlfriend since he was in middle school. She was pretty awesome, but I hadn’t seen her around much lately.
“We broke up.”
“Right, and then you’ll get back together. It’s sort of your thing, boo.”
RJ shrugged. “I’m not so sure this time. She said she needed space, whatever the hell that means, and that was two weeks ago.” He glanced at me for a second before he dropped his gaze to his empty plate.
“Again, this is not the first time she’s said that to you. This is just foreplay for the two of you,” I reminded him, but when RJ didn’t answer me, I leaned forward. “What aren’t you telling me right now? You know you can trust me.”
RJ’s cheeks flushed pink. “I sort of met someone else.”
“When did this happen?” I exclaimed loud enough for Ezra’s giggling to stop. I waved him off when he put a hand on my arm.
RJ turned a darker shade of red. “I mean, it’s not that new. We’ve been in the same circle for a few years.” His voice was so low I almost couldn’t hear him.
“Who?” I popped a brow. “Who, RJ? Because you and Frankie were supposed to get married and have twenty kids.”
He narrowed his eyes. “So were you and Andy.” He sighed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that. I’m just...I’m having some sort of crisis of sexuality or whatever.”
“It’s not a girl.” I could see it written all over my closest friend’s face. “Rand Shepard Junior, are you telling me you’re into men?”
“I don’t know what I am,” RJ muttered, his eyes darting to Ezra and Seth before he met my eyes like he was warning me to keep my voice down. “How did you know?”
I smiled. “Oh, hon, I knew I was gay by the time I was ten years old. I liked dolls, dresses, and makeup more than I shouldhave. I mean, yeah, I like racing cars and getting my hands dirty but feeling pretty is nicer than being a grease monkey.”
I was dying to ask him who this guy was, but I knew RJ would tell me when the time was right.
“I’m afraid to tell my dad.”
“Your father loves you. Being queer isn’t going to change that.”
RJ shrugged. “What if it does? What if he hates me for being different? What if he kicks me out of the house, won’t share an RV with me? Then what do I do?”
“We’ll sic Ezra on him,” I teased. “Is that what this is really about? You want your father’s approval? RJ...” I stood up and walked over to sit next to him. “He’s not going to stop loving you for whoyoulove.”
He gave me a small smile. “Will you come with me when I tell them for moral support? That way, he has to be nice to me.”
“I would be honored.” I reached down to lace our fingers together.
RJ squeezed my hand. “I think he’s coming to the race.”
“Does that mean I get to meet him?” I winked and wiggled my brows. The way he flushed was incredibly adorable.
RJ’s eyes widened. “Uh, you already have.”
