Summers & Starbucks - Chapter 44: Chapter 44

Kaiden
"Your parents aren't home an awful lot, hm? Lucky you," Nathan whispers, back hugging me. I invited him over today and I'm currently making coffee for us.
Shailene and Nora are out on errands so it's just us both in the huge house. I don't know where my parents are, they tend to change plans at the very last minute.
"Yeah they like to have a social life. Too much if you ask me," I sigh.
He presses a kiss to my neck and I tilt my head involuntarily, closing my eyes.
He sucks, bites and blows on the sensitive skin. I turn off the stove, the milk boiling. He continues the assault of his soft lips as I strain the milk into the waiting cups.
"Mm," I groan when his hands slide down my torso towards my crotch.
I turn towards him and grab his neck, pulling him into a fierce kiss. He hoists me effortlessly on the counter, hands going down to my ass, the other palming me through my jeans.
I pull away, gasping for air. He kisses my neck again and I arch my back, gripping his hair. I pull him up, attaching our lips again, the coffee left to grow cold.
My senses are all jumbled up. How does he affect me like this? I pull away and smile, pecking him again.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!"
Sheer terror runs through my skin as I jump from the counter, pushing Nathan away.
My Dad is standing there, livid, face going red in fury.
Oh FUCK no.
There's nothing I can even deny. We're fucking caught red handed.
To my utter surprise, Kane is standing behind him, gaping at me. They had probably gone to get him from the airport.
Kane looks different. So much older and so handsome, a spitting image of my dad. It's been two years I've seen him. I want to hug him but I'm terrified of even moving right now.
"I told you to not associate with him! What is this disgusting behaviour? You... You're with him?! You insolent, piece of shit!" Dad yells, walking towards me but Mum grabs his hand. He turns to her, glaring daggers.
I step in front of Nathan automatically. If he hits anyone, it won't be him.
"Selwyn, stop," Mum warns, a stern look on her face.
"I already told you that I wouldn't have you pampering them beyond a fucking limit! This is the limit, Madison!" He snarls.
Mum looks shocked and lets go of him, eyes welling up.
Dad turns to me.
A shiver crosses my spine, hands getting clammy. I'm so dead. What do I even say to him?
"What the hell is this Kai? Some rebellious phase you're having? Some experimental fad?! And you," He turns his blazing gaze onto Nathan.
No, please, not him.
Nathan's gone white as a sheet.
"You filthy homosexual! You dare take advantage of my wife's hospitality and manipulate my son to suit your crass... personality?!" Dad snaps.
"That's enough."
I blink.
Kane is standing in front of me and Nathan.
I grab Nathan's hand. He looks like he's going to pass out. My heart is struggling to get out of my chest.
"Kane?! You too? I knew I shouldn't have let you out of my sight. Both of my sons have let me down. Why are you defending him? Him and that dirty kid."
He glares at Nathan again.
"Because... that's your son! Your youngest kid, Dad!" Kane sighs.
I love him so much right now. My eyes are stinging with tears but I don't want to break in front of my dad. I can't.
"Kid or not, do you know what will become of our family's reputation if a word of this ever goes out?!" Dad yells.
My hands are trembling right now. My father steps closer to me and although he's never hit me, I feel like today will be the first time he does.
"All of this we worked so hard to build! For you to just throw it all away?! People talk Kane! They talk shit. He will forever be branded as an outcast! For fuck's sake he isn't even decided on a career yet!"
Dad is pacing around.
Kane gives me a look over his shoulder, telling me to stay quiet.
"It's not as abnormal as you think dad. It's legal in our state. You're more worried what your upmarket friends will think of you, than you're worried about Kai right now. That's just sad, isn't it?"
Kane is so calm, his voice an exact opposite of the feeling inside me. I want to throw up and cry but I'm hanging on for Nathan.
"Not worried about Kaiden?! Have you gone senile? That's exactly what I'm worried about. There's so much at stake. Your mother will be laughed at among her colleagues. My Asian friends would make him feel like a failure, a loser. For them, it's taboo even to acknowledge something like that Kane! What if he has to lead a miserable life, being out in the open like that?!"
I understand him a little. He's not right to call anyone gay slurs but... I get it.
"Dad, do you know some of the biggest names in the fashion and lifestyle industry, in the arts industry are homosexual? Granted there's going to be struggles, everyone has to struggle at some point right?"
"No but you don't get it! He's going to be fucking rejected for just being him! Do you know how hard that is? Maybe we could eventually accept it. It will be... it's not easy for me at all. But that's never enough! Do you think I want a life like that for him?! Do you think for even one second I want anyone to make my son feel small and insignificant and worthless for being him?!"
"Dad... The world doesn't matter as much as family does. If you want to make him strong enough to face the world, you should be strong enough to handle this," Kane says. "Because if the world is cruel, he should have a safe space right?"
When did he get so wise?
"Also, when you had kids, you should have known and accepted the fact before having us, that you would have to deal with anything that came with us. For so long, we've been normal kids to you. Good, obedient and physically capable. But at the first sign of trouble, you want to reject Kai?"
"He's a fucking child. He doesn't even know things about himself yet. He doesn't fucking know what he wants to do, but he can take the decision of his sexuality for himself?"
"Yes because that's his own thing to decide. It may or may not change. You can't be there for him his whole life dad! I agree you want to protect him but you can't take his decisions for him! You'll clip his confidence and his wings, no matter how good your intentions are!"
Nathan gasps. My head turns to him immediately. He's gone sweaty, his hand is running through his hair, fists curled tightly.
"Nathan? Look at me!" I whisper.
He slides down, clutching his head. I kneel in front of him, pushing his hair back.
"Sh, it's okay, you're okay! Nothing's happening! You're safe! I promise you!"
I uncurl his hands, rubbing his palms. He blinks, his breaths slowing down. Kane gives him a glass of water. I shoot him a grateful look and he sends me a small smile.
Mum walks to us and makes Nathan sit on a chair. He buries his face in his hands, putting his head down on the marble counter.
He is probably regretting his entire life right now. Why was I so careless?
I turn to my father who is looking warily at Nathan, like he has some contagious disease.
"Dad..." I whisper.
He flinches and it's like a knife being hurled at me. I grit my teeth.
"I understand you," I sigh. "I know what you're thinking. But I want you to stop yelling right now. Nathan is.. he has a bad past with his mother and your shouting is triggering him."
Dad looks shocked, like I would dare ask him to quiet down but he does anyway.
I walk out of the kitchen to the dining. He takes it as a cue to follow me. I face him, a bit scared of not having Mum or Kane to defend me here.
"His... mum abuses him. Not physically but it's not good. He's been through a lot and I just... I just wanted to make him feel safe. I've been friends with him for a while and... I couldn't help falling for him."
"But - ?!" Dad protests but I don't let him.
"It's not his fault I like him. And this isn't a phase. I'm sorry but I will not have you call him names anymore. You can say anything you want about me but not him. He's already been through enough, I don't want to add to his misery."
"Kai, this is serious. Do you not understand how much it would affect you? Affect your reputation?"
Dad looks defeated but I know I'm getting through.
"But I'm happy with him! I know you think I'm confused and impulsive and a spoilt brat but I guess I'd much rather be that, than untrue to who I really am."
"Are you really happy? You were with him that night you were beaten up, weren't you? You landed in the emergency ward for Christ's sake! You don't realise how unsafe... liking him is?"
"That was not our fault dad!" I snap, hurt he would think so. "It was the fault of those shitty people who think two boys kissing is not normal!"
"Kai, my baby, don't you realise that? Those people will always exist! I cannot protect you from all of them. They will be everywhere you go. And is it not easier to just, I don't know, change yourself and live peacefully than live however you want and risk getting hurt?"
"Dad. I understand you want me safe but I have to handle it somewhere down the road. And yes, I'd much rather be myself than live hiding a part of me to please others who I don't owe anything!"
I heave a big breath, pinching the bridge of my nose. This is exhausting.
I knew Thanksgivings were dramatic but I didn't expect to come out to my dad like this.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I have a boyfriend I need to speak to and apologize."
I quickly walk back in the kitchen, scared of seeing my dad's expression. If he chooses to kick me out, I'm gone. I'll manage but there's literally no way I'm letting Nathan suffer alone through the same shit again. No way in hell.
"Hey kiddo, you alright?" Kane asks me immediately.
I fling my arms around him in reply. He hugs me back, now almost a head shorter than me.
"Thank you," I whisper, pulling away and smiling at him. He looks so youthful and handsome up close.
"You're my baby brother, Kaddy, don't mention it. I mean, I totally didn't expect to come home and see you with a dude, much less shamelessly making out in the kitchen!" He chuckles, ruffling my hair.
"Fuck off. At least I'm getting some, I bet your ass is still a sad virgin," I tease.
"Language Kaiden!" Mum warns, walking to us. She hugs us both briefly and I kiss the top of her head.
"Your father will come around, Kai baby. Don't worry. He's just shaken up."
I nod.
"I sure hope he does. I don't like fighting with him."
Both of them leave me and Nathan alone, leaving the kitchen. He is still staring at a random dot on the floor, hands clutching the empty glass of water. I softly place a hand on his head, making him flinch.
He looks up with bloodshot eyes.
"I'm sorry," he whispers.
"You have nothing to be sorry about Nathan!" I sigh and pull him into my arms. "I'm sorry you had to hear all that. I'm so sorry!"
He buries his head in my chest, arms around my waist. I kiss his hair, glad that he's still here.
"I love you so much," I whisper. "I'll always be here for you."
He lets go of me and wipes his eyes, getting up from the chair. I smile at him, holding both his hands in mine.
"I don't deserve you but I'm going to be selfish enough to keep you," He whispers before leaning in to kiss me again.
Nobody is gonna bother us now. I don't want to tell him that my dad is probably gonna throw me out so I kiss him back, his hands pulling me closer.
It's a soft, gentle kiss and I want him to know how much I love him. His hands find my back and I run my fingers through his hair, feeling my whole body relax under his touch.
We break apart, smiling.
"I love you, Kaiden."
"Let's get out of here," I whisper.
He nods and I grab his hand, before we escape through the back door and get to my car. We get inside and he kisses me once again, pulling me by my shirt over the gearbox.
"Nate..." I whisper.
"Hm?"
"Make me yours."