Immoral by Nicole Dykes
After that kind of proposal,who wouldn’t be on a high? After the concert, we came home, fucked, talked for a bit, had champagne, fucked again, and then passed out. And now, we’re in our bed the next morning, and I can’t stop smiling.
An affliction I’m not used to but I like. “So, when do you want to do this?”
“I’m thinking right after you win the World Series for the second time.”
I laugh because the team has improved, but we aren’t going to the World Series this year. Maybe next year though. “Or after the regular season ends.”
He pulls me in for a kiss. “Or right fucking now. I can’t wait.”
I laugh against his lips. “Always 100 percent all-in, aren’t you?”
“When it comes to you, yeah.”
I know. I groan when my phone rings because the only person I want to talk to is right here, but then I groan again when I see it’s a video call from my mom. “Ugh. No.”
“We have to face them sometime. I’m sure the news is out everywhere.”
“I figured it would be Jenny.”
He laughs at that like it’s the funniest thing he’s ever heard. “Are you fucking kidding me? I asked her for your hand in marriage before I got down on one knee. I don’t have a death wish.”
My eyes widen. “You asked Jenny?”
“Of course, I did.”
I can’t hold back the bark of laughter and shake my head. “She has you trained.”
“That makes two of us.” I don’t argue because she’s helped so damn much with the new contract and fielding questions we weren’t ready to answer yet. I’m glad he let her know.
He hits answer on my phone, and I glare at him before my mom’s face pops up on my phone. I see my dad right next to her. “Ryan.” She sounds distraught. Just fucking great.
“Hey, Mom.”
Her eyes dart next to me to where Grady is sitting. We’re both bare chested, and there’s no hiding the fact that we’re in bed together, not that I would.
“Grady.” She sounds breathless. “Is it true?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to ask for Ry’s hand.”
“This isn’t a joke,” my mother cuts him off quickly, starting to cry, and I recoil, already wanting to hang up. I love my parents. I do. I’m grateful for all the things they sacrificed for me, but I don’t want anything tarnishing my happiness with Grady.
“No, it’s not. I love Ryan. Nothing about this is a joke. We’re getting married.”
She gapes at Grady. “But you’re straight.”
Grady laughs easily, taking the phone casually from my shaking hand. “Apparently I’m not.”
How can he say that so easily? It took me so fucking long to tell these people I was gay, and they just swept it away like it wasn’t real. And I let them do that for so long. “Your father—”
Grady cuts her off quickly, “Has no role in my life. He’s been blowing up my phone for weeks, so I’ve changed my number. I want nothing to do with him.”
“But Grady—”
Again, he doesn’t let her speak, but his tone softens, “Look, I know you love your son, but you need to love all of him. Or you’re going to miss out on a whole hell of a lot. Our wedding. Our kids.”
“Kids?” I raise my eyebrow playfully. That’s not something we’ve talked about.
“Opposed?”
“No,” I answer quickly because I think we’d both make amazing fathers, and all of a sudden, I want that with him badly.
“Well, I suppose that’s not as bad as you playing for LA.” Grady and I both turn our attention to my father, and my jaw drops at his first words.
“What?”
He shrugs his shoulder uncomfortably. “I’m proud of you, Ryan. I just want you to be happy. Even if it’s in LA.”
He says LA with disgust, but it’s playful. The whole sentence sounded genuine. “Really?”
He looks directly into the camera. “Yes, really. You’ve always made me proud. Always working to achieve the highest goals, and now you’re in love. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
My mother gasps, “But—”
My dad cuts her off this time, “But nothing. You know you love weddings, and you want grandchildren. No need to ruin that chance.”
My mother wipes at her face, and she breathes deeply. “I do love you, Ryan.”
“I love you too.” It’s true, even if we don’t see eye-to-eye on much and I wish she wasn’t so damn closed-minded.
“And we love Grady.”
“Good,” I say firmly. “That’s nonnegotiable.”
“What about LA? Is that up for negotiation?” my dad jokes, and I shake my head.
“I don’t think so, Dad.”
“Well,” he says, scratching his chin. “I don’t think I can stomach going there to watch a home game, but when you come here, you can bet I’ll be in the crowd.”
“I’ll get you VIP seats.”
They both wave me off, and we talk for a while longer before we say our goodbyes. I put my phone on the table next to me and lean against Grady. “Did that really just happen?”
He chuckles, his shoulder moving with the movement. “I think your dad is more pissed about you playing for LA than you being gay with me.”
“Gay with you?” I look up at him, amused.
“You better not be gay with anyone else.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re fucking ridiculous.”
“I know, but you love me.” I kiss him softly, letting my hand rake down his toned abs. “I do. Want me to show you how much?”
“Yes, please.”
I’m glad my parents seem to be coming around, but even if they weren’t, it wouldn’t matter.
Nothing else matters but this.
