Page 20 of Dickathlon

Freddie shrugged. “I guess I can give it a try.”

“Wow, I like your optimism already.”

5

Tyler

Luke said he’d stay behind to give me some privacy with my family before coming downstairs. Before I could make it into the kitchen, I heard Travis say, “Maybe he’s just using Ty for his body and Ty’s just, like, letting him?”

“Would you let a dude use your body?” Kyle asked.

I didn’t wait to hear the answer. “Morning, everyone. Who wants to talk about my sexuality today? Also, Merry Christmas!’

I was met with a chorus of Merry Christmases and a few murmurs.

“Is there something you’d like to tell us, Tyler?” my mom asked.

“Way to keep it private, Pierce,” I said, glaring.

“I couldn’t help it. It surprised me, and then Trav overheard me telling Owen, and you know Trav has a big mouth, so what was I supposed to do?”

“It’s fine. I just didn’t think this would be the conversation.”

“So, is Luke your boyfriend, son? If so, I think he's a good choice." My dad walked over to me, putting a hand on my shoulder.

“He’s too much like a brother, Dad.”

I ignored Travis’s comment about how he didn't sleep with his brothers, and continued, “In all seriousness, he just needed a friend. I was that friend. He’s going through something pretty rough right now, and he wants to be held, if that makes sense. I think it centers him, and I know it makes him feel better.” I ignored Pierce and Trav’s snickers. “That’s what friends are for and I didn’t see anything wrong with that.”

I saw Owen and Christa nodding. My mom looked sympathetic.

“There’s nothing wrong with that, Ty. I think it’s sweet,” Rene said.

“But there is something Luke has helped me discover. And not in the pervy way you’re thinking, Pierce, but if you’ve heard of the Kinsey scale…uh, I’m apparently somewhere in the middle.”

Owen smiled, but the rest stared blankly.

“That means I’m bisexual.”

I watched the lightbulbs turn on.

“But you’re not dating Luke?” my mom asked.

“Correct, Mrs. Hale. Your son and I are definitely not dating. I’m sorry if we confused you,” Luke said, as all eyes turned to him as he entered the kitchen. “To be honest, I have some issues-”

“Luke, you don’t need to-”

“It’s fine, Ty. Really.” Luke turned to my oldest brother. “Owen, if I could talk to you privately later, that would be great. Even though Ty’s been a great listener and an even better cuddler, I’m thinking of finding a therapist.”

I pulled him into me by his shoulder so we were hip to hip.

“As sappy as it is, I just wanted someone I trusted to hold me. I wasn’t really sleeping well until I came out here.”

“Aww,” Christa and Rene both said in unison.

“Yeah, Ty’s stories will put anyone to sleep!” Travis teased.

I ignored him and turned Luke towards me for a full hug.