When Michael Knapp brings his lover Dan Biggs home to meet his parents, he doesn't expect things to go smoothly. His mother's been trying to marry him off for years, and sometimes he isn't even sure his father knows he exists. He has always felt like the shadow son, competing with his terminally stupid older brother and smart-mouthed little sister for his parents' attention. Coming out to them over dinner seemed like the perfect opportunity to finally get noticed.<br><br>But an unexpected phone call interrupts his announcement -- Aunt Evie, the family matriarch, is dead. With Dan in tow, Michael follows his family to Sugar Creek, where he spent his summers growing up, to prepare for the funeral.<br><br>Amid an overabundance of memories and relatives, Michael's world begins to slip. His dysfunctional family, Evie's death, and an old friend's confession all threaten to smother him. Worse, in his grief and confusion he seems determined to inadvertently push everyone away, including his lover. Can he and Dan move beyond his family and his past to a new life together, before Michael's insecurities tear them apart?

It's All Relative

I push Dan’s arm away and sit up. “Just…” Just stop,I want to say, but I can’t, the words won’t come. So I get out of bed, snag a t-shirt from the floor and tug it down over my thin boxers as far as it’ll go, and start digging through our suitcase, open on the floor where we left it last night. “We have to get dressed,” I say—it’s a lame excuse but it’s the only one that comes to mind. “Can we talk about this later? After we get something to eat maybe?” Or never, that would work for me.I’m well aware of the peevish tone in my voice but I can’t help it. Penny’s not the only one who doesn’t want details. “Just go, Caitlin. Cat. We’ll be out in a few minutes.”


I don’t have to look at my sister to know she’s glaring at me now, but tough shit. “Michael,” she starts.


Holding up one hand to ward off whatever she has to say, I shake my head. “I said go,” I snap at her.


Chapter 66