Forever | Protector 3.2 | Wattys2017

Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Jerome

       I was really worried about meeting Dad's new girlfriend. Nolan was right that I shouldn't worry because if my dad was willing to divorce my mom to mend our relationship, there was no reason why he would date someone who acted like my mom.

       I guessed the best way to find out was to talk to my dad about it.

       The family reunion was going to take place in a huge banquet hall, so while my dad, grandpa, and I were getting ready, I decided to talk to him about it. "Hey, Dad?" I asked and he looked over at me. "What does your girlfriend think about....you know, gay people?"

       Dad just stared at me for a bit before chuckling. "Jerome, you have nothing to worry about. I would never date someone who wouldn't accept my son for who he is. But, to assure you even more, she's a big supporter of it."

       "Oh, okay," I said.

       I really was worrying about nothing.

       We left Grandpa's house and headed over to the banquet hall. Immediately after walking in, people I didn't know to well were approaching Dad and Grandpa to talk to them. I was looking around the room, trying to find a familiar face. Like a cousin or a....

       No, just a cousin. I was going to be the youngest one here, so a cousin would be the closest one to my age.

       The man talking to Dad right now then turned to look at me. "Jerome, you've grown so much," the man said.

       Would it be bad that I had no idea who he was?

       "This is my cousin," Dad said to me as if he knew I had no idea. "The last time he saw you was at the family reunion five years ago."

       "Oh," I said.

       Yeah, I didn't remember that.

       "I hope you don't mind me asking, but why is your hair blue?" Dad's cousin asked. "It's a....peculiar color."

       "Oh, long story short, I got into a bet with my sister-in-law and lost, she dyed my hair purple, I liked the way it turned out, so I wanted to true blue," I said.

       "Sister-in-law?" he asked. "So, you're married then?" I nodded. "Is your wife here with you?"

       I knew this was going to happen.

       "Uh, no, my husband isn't here with me," I said. "He's back in Miami because he has a midterm he couldn't get out of."

       "Don't say what you're thinking of," Dad said.

       "I'm not," his cousin said. "I won't say a single thing."

       I could tell by the look on his face that he really didn't agree with it.

       For the first time since I've been here, I was happy I didn't bring Nolan with me. I could handle those judging people, but Nolan couldn't, no matter how well he was at hiding it. It affected him a whole lot.

       Dad's cousin walked away and I sighed out loud. "I'm going to be seeing that look a lot, aren't I?" I asked.

       "Unfortunately, yes," Dad said. "I'm sorry."

       "It's fine, I guess," I said.

       Dad looked over at the door. "Will it make you feel better if you meet my girlfriend?" he asked as he waved someone over. "I know she will support that you have a husband."

       "It might, but I don't know how I'll ever feel better knowing people will be ju--" I stopped mid-sentence when Dad's girlfriend walked over.

       Oh.

       My.

       Goodness.

       "Jerome, you know Chanel, right?" Dad asked.

       "Put a ring on it," I said. "Do it."

       "Well, I'm glad you support it," Dad said.

       "Uh, support  it?" I asked. "I more than support it. I'm serious. Put a ring on it. I want Mae to be my sister."

       "Whoa, slow your roll, Jerome," Chanel said. "We only just started dating."

       "I don't care," I said.

       "Okay, I did not expect you to be this happy about it," Dad said.

       "Seriously?" I asked. "Dad, she took me in after I came out to you and Mom. If you didn't think I'd be happy, something is seriously wrong with you. So, will you put a ring on it in, let's say, a month?"

       "Jerome...." Dad began.

       "What? I want Mae to be my sister," I said. "Step-sister, but still a sister. I'm an only child. I need siblings."

       "Don't you have in-laws?" Chanel asked.

       "That's not the same," I said. "They're my husband's siblings. I want my own."

       "We'll see what happens, but we're taking things slow," Dad said.

       "Does Mae know?" I asked.

       "She knows I'm seeing someone, but not who it is yet," Chanel said. "I'll be telling her after today's part of the reunion."

       "Well, I'm really happy for you guys," I said. "Dad, you better make her happy."

       "Shouldn't you be telling her to make me happy?" Dad asked. "You know, since you are my son."

       "Well, yes, but I already know she will make you happy since she is amazing," I said. "So you better make her happy. And put a ring on it, but we can talk about that later."

       Dad sighed. "I'm never going to hear the end of that, am I?"

       "Definitely not," I said. "It's the Princes. They are so obsessed with weddings, so it's been rubbing off on me. And speaking of, I need to check in on Nolan to make sure he's okay."

       I walked to a non-crowded part of the banquet hall before calling Nolan's cell number. He didn't answer, so I called Alan instead who thankfully answered. "Hello?"

       "Hey," I said. "I just wanted to check in on Nolan. Make sure he's okay."

       "Eh, kind of," Alan said. "He's napping right now, but the midterm is tomorrow so we've been studying all day so he's been stressing out a lot."

       "How much?" I asked. "On a scale of one to ten?"

       "I'd say eight," Alan said. 

       I sighed. "I shouldn't have came here."

       "Even if you didn't, that wouldn't change anything," Alan said. "He's still going to stress out because his anxiety has been getting really bad."

       "But I could have been there for him," I said.

       "And you can by talking to him on the phone," Alan said. "He said he'll call if he needs you. Don't beat yourself up and enjoy your time in Montreal."

       "Alright, I'll try," I said. If only it was that simple....

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Ooh, so next chapter won't be in Nolan or Jerome's POV. :D You'll probably be able to guess who. cx

So Jerome's dad and Mae's mom is dating. cx How about that?

Guyssssss I so badly want Jerome and Nolan to be on a reality TV show competition for vloggers. Who's done for that happening in this book?