Brad felt Preston stiffen in preparation to say something, and his stomach swooped. He really hoped that Preston wouldn’t get angry.

It had been amazing, and sexy, and necessary, for Preston to get all up in Jared’s face in class that one time. But this was Brad’s mom they were talking about.

She was no delicate flower, that was for certain. But Brad wanted to avoid an all-out yelling match if possible.

But when Preston spoke, his tone was firm but even. Not angry, and certainly not yelling.

“I’m sorry to interrupt. I know this is a family matter.” Preston glanced quickly at Brad, as if worrying that Brad would be upset that he’d spoken. “But if knowing that he’s dating a man instead of a woman is enough to make you doubt your son, Linda, then I don’t think that you know your son at all.

“This is just one part of him. He’s an amazing and fantastic person, and he’s really done a lot for me. I wanted to date him the minute that I met him, and I know now that he wanted the same thing, but he held himself back—for you.

“He’s constantly worried about you. He cares about his relationship with you more than anything, and he wants you to think well of him. He doesn’t want to lose the closeness that you two have developed, and I think that’s really admirable.

“Good parental relationships aren’t easy. My parents weren’t really the best. But Brad has fought to make sure that you know he’s always there for you, even at the expense of his own happiness, and I honestly can’t think of a better expression of love from a son.

“He’s been a huge help to me, and to all of the people who take those classes. I don’t think Katie could function without him; she loves him, and she relies on him. You really should stop by and see them one day.

“These are people that were kind of assholes on the first day. I was a major asshole; I think I was the worst. But all of us are getting better, and it’s because of your son.

“He doesn’t just teach us how to count to ten and breathe slowly and all that crap. I mean…” Preston shot Brad an apologetic look. “It’s not crap, but y’know. And he does teach that stuff to us.

“But he also goes the extra mile. He makes sure that we talk about our issues, and that we’re really addressing why we’re so angry in the first place.

“I don’t know of a lot of other places that do that. And Brad didn’t even like me when he offered to work with me privately. He probably would’ve been glad if I walked out the door and he never had to deal with me again. But he offered, and he meant it, because that’s the kind of selfless person that your son is.”

Preston chuckled. “Honestly, I’d say he’s a little too selfless, if anything. But he’s endlessly patient. And he makes people laugh. He’s loyal and thoughtful and caring.

“But you knew all of that, or I hope that you did. If you didn’t, then you’ve really been missing out. And if you do know all of that … then you know that those things aren’t going to change just because of who he chooses to love.

“I’m honestly so impressed by your son, ma’am. He’s helped me to come to terms with my childhood, and the emotional issues that I’ve ignored for so long. I was really not in a good place, and I couldn’t even see how bad it was until your son helped me with it.

“A lot of people would’ve given up on me. Because I wasn’t grateful, at first, for the help that he was trying to give me.

“Hell, my friends nearly did give up on me. I was issued an ultimatum: to shape up or stay away. And your son has helped me to win back my friendship with them. I can see it in the way that they look at me. They’re more relaxed around me. They’re not on edge because they’re worried that I’m going to throw or hit something.

“And I feel so much lighter. Like there’s this big weight that’s been lifted off of me. A weight I didn’t realize was there until it started to go away. And your son is responsible for that.

“What he’s done for me, he’s done for a bunch of other people too. He’s helped us to really become who we want to be, and express all of who we are, and now’s his turn to get to do that.

“If you truly want your son to be happy, and I think that you do, then you should let him express all of who he is.”

Brad thought he might start crying. He wasn’t a person who was prone to crying or anything, but—the things that Preston was saying were so sweet and thoughtful. And he wasn’t getting angry or raging in order to make his point. He was expressing himself articulately and thoughtfully.

He didn’t know whether he should be proud of Preston as his anger management coach or as his boyfriend, but either way, he wanted to tackle-hug him. He didn’t think he’d ever been so grateful.

Preston kept talking in that firm but calm voice.

“Because whoever your son loves is only one part of the amazing person that he is. I’m lucky that someone like him has chosen me, warts and all. And I’d hate for the man I’m in love with to have to go on without the person he considers to be the most important in his life. Because you really are that important to him.

“I don’t know you very well, Linda, although I’d like to get to know you. So I can’t say that I know for certain what you’re thinking. But if it were me—if I were you, I mean—I’d want the first thing I did, after learning this, to be apologizing for anything I did that made him feel it wasn’t safe to talk to me about this.

“That’s how my friends reacted, honestly, and it was such a relief. I was so worried about telling them about all my fucked-up-ness—if that makes sense. And they just accepted it right away. I wish you’d do the same for your son. Because he deserves it, more than anyone I know.”

Brad’s brain was whirling. Had Preston just said—?

Of course, Brad had come right out and admitted that he was in love with Preston. That he wanted to be in this for the long haul. But he knew that Preston had a lot on his plate, and a lot of growing to do. He would’ve understood if Preston needed some more time to adjust, and deal with his lingering emotional issues, before really taking the plunge in a relationship.

But Preston had said it, just then, he’d said that he was in love with him. It made Brad want to hold onto him tightly and never let him go.

Mom squinted at Preston for a long moment. Then she said, “Well, you’re definitely invested in him.”

“He’s been invested in me from the start,” Preston said. “Even if it was just as someone in class, at first. He’s always believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. He refuses to let anyone give up on themselves, and I think that’s rare.”

Mom leaned back against the sofa. “I’m going to need some time,” she admitted.

Brad felt his heart sink. It was better than nothing, though. “Okay.”

Mom sighed, reaching out and pulling him in for a hug. “You’re my boy,” she told him. “And you always will be. But sometimes I just need a little time to adjust my point of view. I’m not mad, and I don’t think any less of you, I promise. It’s just processing time.”

Brad felt relief flood through him and his eyes got wet as he hugged Mom back. “Thank you,” he whispered.

“What kind of mother would I be if I rejected you?” she asked, pulling away and smiling softly at him. “I admit I was ready to be a little … harsh, about things. It’s my default, and I should probably get better at that. As your father was fond of pointing out.

“But your … boyfriend, here, was kind enough to remind me of those important things about you. Things that I already knew. And it reminded me that you are still my boy, and always will be.

“I’m sorry that you felt you couldn’t tell me. I’m sorry for whatever I’ve done that made you feel that way. Your father often felt like he couldn’t tell me things either, and that’s something I thought I had gotten better at, but I guess not so much.

“And I really am sorry for it, because I want you to always feel loved and valued when you’re with me. Will you give me some time … will you accept that I might need a few days to process?”

Brad nodded. This was going so much better than he had feared that it would. “Of course.”

Mom smiled at him. “I really am proud of you, and all that you do for the community. I don’t know if I say that enough. I get so worried about what you have to deal with, and I should spend more time acknowledging all the good that you’re doing.”

She eyed Preston. “At least now you have a strong man to beat up anyone who gets in your face.”

Brad blushed, but Preston just said gravely—but with a twinkle in his eye, “You can bet on that, ma’am.”

“Oh, stop it with the ma’am; it’s Linda. I expect we’re going to be seeing a lot of each other, and when I hear ma’am, it just makes me think of my mother. We don’t have to be so formal with one another.”

“All right, Linda,” Preston said, still sounding grave. Brad couldn’t tell how much of Preston was genuinely serious right now and how much of him was put on, but either way he appreciated the effort that Preston was putting in to simultaneously lighten the mood and show how serious about this whole thing he was.

Preston was serious about them. About their relationship.

Of course he had been, Brad reminded himself. From the beginning, he had been. Brad had been the one turning him down.

Still. It was nice to see it. Brad didn’t think he’d ever get tired of hearing it and seeing it.

“I could put some coffee on?” Mom suggested hesitantly. “And Preston, you could tell me all about yourself?”

Brad looked at Preston, who looked at him as if asking for permission. Brad nodded. Preston then nodded at Mom. “I’d enjoy that, Linda.”

“Thanks, Mom, that would be great.”

Mom hugged him quickly one more time and then stood up. “Alright then, c’mon. But you two are doing the dishes.”

Brad felt the way that Preston had described feeling—like a weight he didn’t even know was there was being lifted off of his shoulders.

He leaned into Preston as Mom entered the kitchen. “Hey. You meant it, right? When you said you were in love with me?”

Preston froze, his eyes searching Brad’s face. “I did,” he acknowledged. “You were serious, right?”

Brad nodded, a smile breaking across his face. “You bet your ass I was.”

“It’s a good ass too, or so I’ve heard.”

Brad kissed him softly. “Thank you. For everything that you said. Really. Standing up for me like that was amazing. And you did it all without getting angry.”

Preston shuffled his feet, clearly embarrassed. “I only did what you’ve been doing for me this whole time,” he replied. “I’ve been down on myself, and you’ve been standing up for me, to me, defending me from myself.

“I did it to your mom, but all the things I’ve said about you, you’ve said about me first. So really, I should be thanking you. This was my way of thanking you.”

“You’ve made good progress,” Brad said, knowing he was blushing furiously at Preston’s words and trying to ignore it. “In class, and with me. That speech just now showed it. I’m really proud of you.”

“As my coach, or as my boyfriend?” Preston teased.

“As both, you insufferable asshole.”

Preston kissed him playfully, and then Brad dragged him into the kitchen before Mom could wander back in wondering what was going on and find her newly-out son making out with his boyfriend. Brad wasn’t ready to scar her, or get scarred himself, just yet.

But damn, it felt like he was floating on air a little. He’d done it. He’d finally done it. And Mom had been okay with it.

Sure, she’d said she needed time to adjust. He could understand that. But she wasn’t angry, and she wasn’t rejecting him. She still loved him. They could still have their relationship.

What was more, he got to finally lead the kind of life that he wanted to lead.

And he had Preston to thank for it.

Brad planned on thanking him very thoroughly … once they were out of his mom’s house.

In fact, Brad was planning on a whole lot of things. All of which involved Preston, and being in each other’s lives.