Chapter 20

Rex went to him and took hold of his hand, pulling him to the sofa. He gently pushed him into a sitting position and then he sat beside him. “Jude, my family is not Martin’s family.”

Jude stared at their joined hands. “I know.”

“I don’t think you do, sweetheart. My family knows I’m gay and accepts it. They aren’t trying to pretend it’s a phase, or telling their friends I’m straight, or any of that. They love me and just want me to be happy.”

“Sure, they say they accept you now, but what if you actually have a boyfriend. It’s easier to accept when there’s no partner involved.”

Rex shook his head. “I’ve brought boyfriends home to meet my family before and they didn’t react any differently.”

Jude glanced at him. “You did?”

“Of course.”

“H-how many have you had?”

He rubbed his thumb along Jude’s wrist. “One issue at a time, Jude.”

That brought a slight curving of Jude’s lips, in an almost smile. “Okay.”