The BL Nook

Chapter 28: Josh’s POV Part III

A month ago

The night Sean planned the perfect date should’ve ended in kisses and cuddles, not blood and busted knuckles.

Instead, I blinked down and realized Tyler was underneath me, looking like a chewed-up burrito. My fist was throbbing, red, and smeared with blood that wasn’t mine. Sean was shouting something loud and panicked, but I couldn’t understand a word. His face, though… that stopped me. I’d never seen him look like that. Scared. Bleeding. I snapped back to reality so hard it almost gave me whiplash.

One second we were in a rom-com, the next we were in Fight Club. And I didn’t even feel bad. Tyler hit Sean first. My poor baby. I blacked out the moment I saw red.

Later, at the hospital, I dragged Sean in with one arm and guilt in the other. I wanted to make peace with his brother. Tyler had been my best friend for years. Dude took care of me when I was a hot mess in college. I owe him everything. I just hoped he wouldn’t stay mad… you know, forever. Maybe just for, like, a month. Tops.

After Sean came out of the room looking like he’d just fought, he kissed me. Right there in the hallway and handed me the courage I didn’t know I needed.

I walked into Tyler’s room, putting on my best grin. “Heeey buddy, how ya feelin’?”

Tyler gave me a death glare so intense I flinched. “Are you serious? What the hell are you doing here?”

“Just wanted to say sorry and to explain things”

“He already told me what I needed to hear. You can go now.”

“What did he say?”

“That you’ve been secretly dating and that you fuck him in the ass repeatedly.”

Okay. That was… a choice of words. I’m pretty sure he’s paraphrasing.

“Anyway… like I said, I came to apologize.”

Tyler barked out a bitter laugh. “For what? Dating my brother behind my back, or for beating the crap out of me?”

“Definitely both.”

He glared at me. “Since when are you into men?”

I shrugged. “I wouldn’t say I’m into men. I’m into Sean. I love him.”

His eyes widened. “Jesus. What did he do to you?”

“Nothing. If anything, I chased him. He was hesitant, I talked him into it. So if you’re mad, be mad at me, not him.”

“Josh, this isn’t you. How can you flip your whole life for someone you barely know?”

His voice cracked a little. There was something… desperate underneath it. Like he was trying to pull me back.

I rubbed my face and sighed. “I don’t know, man. I just know I fell hard. If you want to stay friends, you’ll have to accept me and Sean together.”

Tyler opened his mouth, then shut it. His jaw twitched.

“Can you at least tell me why him and not m-” He stopped himself. “Never mind. Forget it.”

My heart thudded. I didn’t ask what he meant. I didn’t want to know.

Instead, I looked him straight in the eye. “I probably shouldn’t say this, especially while you’re stitched up like Frankenstein, but… I’m gonna marry Sean.”

His head jerked back. “What?!”

“I already have the ring,” I said, grinning like a dumbass.

The way his face morphed from shock to rage in under a second? Priceless. I swear I saw smoke curl out of his ears like in a cartoon. I had to bite my tongue not to laugh.

“Well,” I said, heading for the door, “if you ever change your mind, hit me up. You can still hang out with me anytime. As your brother-in-law, that is.”

Man, that felt good. I didn’t think I’d tell Tyler first, of all people, but it was so satisfying. I’d been holding that proposal secret in for months, almost blurted it out like ten times. The time’s coming. I can feel it.

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A week a go

Sean left for Minnesota this morning. I told him I had too much work to come with him, a little white lie with a purpose. Today’s the day he tells his dad about us. And while he’s doing that, I’m heading to my family’s place to drop the big gay bomb.

I’m not scared. Not exactly. Just… bracing myself.

If they disown me, they’re dead to me. If they accept me, I’ll ugly cry like a soap opera star. Either way, I’m telling them everything.

My family’s huge. Loud. Dramatic. The full telenovela experience. I’ve got two older twin brothers. Ricky and Richie (31), absolute trolls but I love them. My sister Mari (29) is basically my second mom and the only sane one. Then there’s Gabi (17), the baby genius with more sarcasm than facial expressions. And of course, mom and dad. I told everyone we were having a beer and BBQ day. No kids. No spouses. Just us.

I pulled up to the house, already hearing music thumping from inside. I barged in.

“Damn, what’s with the party vibes this early in the day?!”

Mom swooped in, kissing my face and slapping the back of my head in one motion. “Where the hell have you been, Joshie?! You missed Christmas! You don’t care about your mother anymore, pendejito?!”

“Ow! Sorry, Ma- OW.”

That one came from Ricky, punching my arm. “Yeah you little shit. Mom cried, you know. Although she was drunk. It was hilarious.”

“‘Little?’ I’m taller than you, bro. Pure muscle, baby.”

He scoffed and rolled his eyes at me before taking a sip of his beer. I headed into the kitchen, where Mari was busy cooking. She’s a successful chef who owns a high-end restaurant downtown. I’ve been meaning to take Sean there, but knowing him, he’d probably get all awkward about it.

“Mari,” I called out.

She glanced over her shoulder. “Joshie, did you just get here? Perfect. Come help me carry these out to the backyard.”

“I just walked in and you’re already putting me to work? I don’t work for you!”

“Get your ass over here and help your sister,” she snapped with a smirk.

Grumbling, I did what she said, even if I wasn’t thrilled about it. Outside, Dad was fiddling with the grill. We pulled each other into a big bear hug. Gabi, as usual, was lounging around doing absolutely nothing, just listening to music and reading some book. Classic freeloader move.

I snatched the book from her hands. “Hey! Gonna greet your favorite brother or what?”

She barely looked up. “Richie gave me a better gift for Christmas. I switched allegiances.”

“Traitor.” She gave me a hug so weak it felt like a breeze. “What’re you even reading?”

“Epigenetic Mechanisms in Neuroplasticity.”

“…Damn. Are you trying to make the rest of us look dumb?”

“I’m contributing to science. Unlike someone who got an MBA.”

“Wow. Okay. Call me when you bring back dinosaurs or whatever.”

“It’s called de-extinction. And someone’s already working on that.”

I walked off in defeat and grabbed a beer from Richie. At least he didn’t have much to say.

When the food was ready, we sat down like one big chaotic sitcom. Dad looked at me, raising a brow.

“So, Joshie. What’s the occasion?”

I took a deep breath. “Mom, dad. I’m in love.”

Cue the booing. Food was thrown. My family has no chill.

“Oh my God,” Ricky groaned. “You couldn’t be more dramatic?”

“Doesn’t make it any less true,” I said, laughing and lobbing a roll of bread at his head.

Mari grinned. “So who’s the woman that finally tied down the biggest fuckboy in Seattle?”

“That’s the thing…” I took a bite of my food. “It’s not a woman.”

Silence.

Like, dead silence. Everyone’s eyes were on me. I could hear a pin drop. I started to get self-conscious until dad spoke first.

He clapped his hands. “Alright! Everyone pay up!”

I blinked. “Wait, what?”

The silence shattered. Groans and exasperated sighs erupted around the table. My mom and Mari reached into their purses. Richie and Ricky pulled out their wallets. Gabi disappeared for a second and came back holding cash. One by one, everyone handed a twenty to my dad, who was grinning like he’d just won the lottery.

Richie muttered, “God, it’s not fair! I thought I had this in the bag.”

Mom rolled her eyes. “Don’t be a sore loser, Richie.”

“But—! Ugh, come on!”

Suddenly, everyone was talking over each other. Laughing, shouting, completely ignoring me.

“What the hell is going on?!” I finally yelled, totally confused.

Gabi, deadpan, said, “We’ve all had a bet running for years about your pathetic dating life.”

“My life is a betting game to you people?”

Dad, counting his bills, said. “Relax, Joshie. You made me a rich man. Be happy for me!”

“So no one cares about what I just told you?!”

Dad, still beaming: “Honestly, I’m a little shocked. I can’t believe I won! Heh… What are the odds?”

“This is insane. Does anyone have any actual questions about this major life reveal?”

Mari leaned forward casually. “Okay, I’ve got one. Are you the bottom?”

“That’s it. I’m fucking leaving.”

Mom grabbed my wrist, pulling me back into my seat. “We’re just teasing, baby. Tell us about him.”

I exhaled. “His name is Sean. He’s… stunning. Like, model straight out of a fitness mag. His skin’s deliciously flawless, his thighs are-”

“SPARE US the details son,” Dad groaned.

“Fine, fine. But seriously, he’s the kindest, most stubborn pain in my ass. I’ve never loved anyone like this. We’ve been officially together for ten months now and still going strong. So strong, in fact, that I’m going to propose.”

A collective “What?!” echoed across the dining room. Then silence. Rare, almost eerie.

Mom: “My son is getting married?! I never thought I’d live to see the day!”

Dad: “Joshie, listen. We’re okay with you dating a man, but marriage… that’s a big step. Are you sure this is what you want?”

“I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life. I already bought the ring.”

Mari: “Wait, you already have a ring?!”

“Yup. Bought it a week after we started dating.”

Richie: “Holy shit. You’re really in love. Who are you and what have you done with my brother?”

Ricky: “When are you planning to propose?”

“Our one-year anniversary is in two months. That’s when I’ll do it.”

We got together on my birthday. If everything goes according to plan, I’ll be 28 and engaged. Wild.

We finished our food and slipped into lighter conversation, until Gabi suddenly spoke up.

Gabi: “I have something to say… I’m gay too.”

The table went silent again for a beat… before we all booed her and started throwing napkins, bread rolls, whatever was within reach.

“Who cares!” Someone yelled.

Laughter and yelling took over the room again, like only this chaotic family could manage.

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