Page 81 of Frat Ghost Wingman

“It’s almost dinner time, boys.” It was my mom. “Turn off the video games and spend some time with your families.”

“Well, we weren’t playing video games, but I certainly had my hands on a joystick,” Teo said to me.

I rolled my eyes and got off of him. “Your mouth gives better blowjobs than it makes jokes. Stick to what you’re good at, cupcake.”

“Yes, sir.” He made a move for the zipper of my jeans, but I pushed his hand away.

“Not now, Teo! It’s time for dinner.”

“Fuck dinner, I want dessert. Now.”

“I’m not sure there will be time for that kind of dessert.” I was able to slip out of his grasp and make it to the door. “Let’s go.”

“Is there something you want to tell us, Zach?”

My heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean?” I glanced over at my mom. She was smiling and it was a little creepy. The Deckers had left an hour or so ago.

“I’ve just never seen you so relaxed and happy.”

“Well, finals are over,” I replied without thinking. “How am I supposed to feel?”

“Zachary Shea. Don’t lie to your mother. You were practically radiant at dinner.”

Radiant? Good lord, I was Wilbur from Charlotte’s Web.

I shrugged it off and pretended to care about what was on television. My dad hadn’t said a word, but I could tell he was paying attention. He hadn’t clicked a new page on his Kindle in the last few minutes and he was a fast reader.

“Alright. I’m just gonna ask because I’m one of those cool moms that communicates with her only son and loves him no matter what.”

Well, fuck.

“Are you and Teo finally together?”

There was no point denying it. “Is it that obvious?”

“Oh, honey.” My mom stood up and sat next to me on the couch, grabbing my left hand and pulling it into hers. She always had warm hands. “It’s true then. You finally have a boyfriend?”

“Finally?!”

My dad finally spoke up. “Not to be blunt, son, but it wasn’t really a secret to us. We were just waiting for you to be ready to tell us.”

“I can see mom couldn’t wait anymore, but–”

The breath was squeezed out of me with her bear-hug. “I have so many questions,” she said, holding me in her arms a bit longer than our normal hugs. “Are you happy? Are you out on campus to your friends?” She paused. “Wait a minute. You didn’t start working out because you thought you had to change your body for Teo, did you?”

“No.”

“I’m not convinced.”

My dad saved me. “How long have you and Teo been together?”

“About a month.” In reality, it had been twenty-three days. “It’s very new.”

“Do Teo’s parents know?” he continued.

“I doubt it,” my mom said before I could answer. “Teo’s mom’s never said a word to me.”

“And other moms have?” I asked, suddenly curious about the conversation topics of suburban mothers.