He’s My Boyfriend
Tuck was stunned by Belinda’s voice on the other side of the door. Even more stunned by her appearance. He’d always imagined she’d be bone thin with stringy hair and bad teeth. On the contrary, she was young and curvy with a wavy, blond hair that reminded Tuck so much of Todd. And she had Todd’s eyes, or rather, Todd had her eyes. Those midnight blue orbs, so dark against her pale skin. How could someone who’d been through everything she’d been through come out on the other side still attractive?
Todd’s face mirrored Tuck’s nervousness. Belinda looked around the apartment, mostly straightened up now, but nowhere near Todd’s standards, and focused her stare on Tuck.
“Are you going to introduce me to your friend, baby?”
Tuck watched as Todd’s Adam’s apple bobbed with a hard swallow. He hadn’t told Belinda about them. Well, fuck. “I’m Tucker, ma’am.”
“Hi, Tucker.” Her eyes brightened as a smile blossomed on her lips. “It’s so nice to meet one of Toddy’s friends.”
One of Toddy’s friends? Seriously? The cold grip of anxiety knotted in Tuck’s stomach, invading his thoughts. Why hadn’t Todd told his mom about them? Was he ashamed? Was he scared? Did he think she wouldn’t approve? Wouldn’t want to be in his life? After all, he hadn’t seen her in years, and she had her share of problems.
“He’s not just a friend, Mom. He’s my boyfriend,” Todd said. He stared at Tucker as if willing him to believe.
Those three words, “He’s my boyfriend,” sent Tuck’s head and heart into a tailspin of swirling emotions. He glanced at Belinda, who seemed to be studying him, and nodded.
“Oh,” she said. She bit her upper lip, something Tuck had seen Todd do countless of times. “You’re gay.”
It was Todd’s turn to look incredulous as he gaped at his mother. “Yes.” He stated the word as if it was the most obvious answer. “Is that a problem for you?”
Todd’s mom pursed her lips before replying, “I don’t have a problem with it. I’m just surprised.”
“Well, then I guess that old adage about how a mother always knows only applies to real mothers.”
Tucker held his breath, taking a step to position himself between Todd and Belinda as he waited for Belinda to lose her shit. He wanted to protect Todd from the abuse he was sure would come. Which is why is surprised him when Belinda simply nodded at her son and said, “I deserve that and worse.”
The thick, choking tension was too much for Tucker. He stepped to Todd and leaned in close. “I’m going to go finish cleaning the bathroom and your bedroom.” Louder he said, “I’ll give you two some privacy.”
“Don’t go, Tucker,” Belinda said. “I’d love to hear about how you and Toddy met.”
Tuck shook his head. “That’s Todd’s story to tell.”