“It’s, ah, fine,” Drew replied.
His father heard the hesitation in his voice and nodded like he understood. “You’re too qualified for that place. You need more of a challenge. I called Simon, my contact at the large software company that rivals the one I work for, and they’re going to be hiring this spring, soon. I put in a word. Just send over your resumè—”
“Dad.” Drew cut him off. “I live in Maryland now.”
“Of course.” He nodded. “There are plenty of great software jobs there. That’s probably why you’re here. Who hired you?”
Drew took a deep breath, and I reined in my patience. “I’m driving now, for the new racing division.”
“That’s not a full-time job,” his father argued.
“Actually, it is. I’ve just come from a meeting with Ron Gamble. He owns the new division I’m racing for. He’s going to pay me to drive full time. I’m going to be training and touring to different races. I’ve also got some endorsement deals coming in. It’s lucrative, pays well.”
“Computers pay well,” Burke rebuffed.
“You know my passion is cars, Dad.”
“Ever since you were a little boy,” his mom mused.
I kept my eyes trained on his father, measuring his reaction.
His lips thinned. “Cars is a hobby.”
“It doesn’t have to be,” Drew argued. “I told you when I moved up there with Ivy I was going to pursue a career in cars.”
“But you still work in computers.”
Drew sat back, a little stiffer. “You didn’t think I could do it.” He huffed. “You thought it was just a dream.”
“Cars are not a career, Drew,” he replied in a no-nonsense tone. “We discussed this. This is just a phase. Your degree, your skill set at software and technology is your future.”
“That’s not what I want.”
I wondered if anyone else heard the hurt deep in his voice.
“What do you mean it’s not what you want?” his dad said, incredulous. “You’ve been working toward this for half your life.”
“No, Dad!” Drew spit out. “You have. You’ve been shoving your chosen profession down my throat since I was just a kid.”
“Andrew,” Adrienne said, shocked.
“Haven’t you been listening? I know you’ve heard me when I said it before. We had this conversation when I moved to Maryland. You were disappointed then, too, Dad. I can’t keep living the life you want me to live. I’ve tried…” His voice faltered, then came back. “My whole life I’ve been trying to please you and live up to everything you wanted me to be. I can’t anymore. I can’t be who you want.”
God.
How could they not react to the pain in his voice, the absolute anguish? How the fuck could they just sit there and stare at him?
I couldn’t.
It was physically impossible.
“Forrester,” I whispered and reached out a hand. My palm slid over his thigh, a touch meant to comfort. A touch meant to let him know not only did I hear what he said, but I was listening.
Drew made a sound, and his hand fell over mine. He grasped at my fingers like they were a lifeline, like I was the only thing keeping him grounded.
You could have heard a pin drop.
The silence in the room was so loud it muffled my ears. Suddenly, everything seemed to happen in slow motion, like were in a movie and someone hit the wrong button.
Both Burke and Adrienne looked down. Their gazes zeroed in like arrows on a bull’s-eye right to where we touched. Confusion crossed their features, and it slowly gave way to horror.
That single touch told them exactly what Drew had yet to say. It wasn’t that I was trying to hurry it along. I’d only been wanting to give the person I loved some support.
“What the hell is this?” his father said, glancing up from our hands. His voice was dangerous and low.
Drew let go of my hand, and I pulled mine away.
“It’s why I came,” Drew replied. “I do have news.” He cleared his throat. “But I don’t think it’s the kind you were hoping for.”
“Andrew,” his mother said, pressing a hand to her throat.
“I’m in a relationship with Trent. We started out as best friends, but we’ve become more.”
I admired the way he went right to it. He didn’t try to explain in a roundabout way. It was hard, but he did it.
“What!” Burked exclaimed and leapt up off the couch.
Drew nodded. “I know it’s a shock, which is why I came home. I wanted to tell you in person. We’ve been together for a few weeks now… I wanted you to hear it from me before GearShark breaks the story.”
His mother made the sign of the cross over her chest and sighed.
Seriously.
His father, on the other hand, appeared murderous. He was angry, almost beyond angry, like he thought Drew was just saying this to hurt him. “You aren’t gay.”
“No.” Drew agreed. “I’m not. But I’m in love with Trent. He makes me happy, just like racing.”
“Why are you doing this?” Burke erupted and stalked toward the fireplace. “Are you that angry with us for pushing you, for wanting our son to reach his full potential?”
Ah, the guilt trip. I hadn’t seen that coming.