Keeping the Beat: An Adrenaline Novel by Morgan O'Hara Read Free Book Online Page A

"What's that mean?"
                  Garret met his younger brother’s eye and sighed. "I didn't know how to tell you guys. I was worried what would happen if I did."
                  "You know we've known you're gay for years right?" Wyatt asked looking agitated. "Did you think we were going to think less of you for it?"
                  "Yes. No. I don't know," Garret looked at the floor almost as if he were willing it to open up and swallow him whole. "I didn't want to change how you guys thought of me." He cast a long look at his mom. "It's not something that ever came up when dad was alive. I didn't know how he would have felt about it." 
                  With a sharp shake of her head Mrs. Cooper entered the conversation. "Your father loved you Garret. Shame on you for even entertaining the thought he would have felt otherwise. We aren't blind. Your father and I knew you were dating Ben Dwyer in high school."
                  "Seriously?" Wyatt’s mouth hung open briefly before he started laughing. He glanced over at his twin with a wry grin. "We thought we were so clever five years ago for figuring it out when he had his boyfriends right under our noses this whole time. I liked Ben, he was a good guy. Whatever happened to him?"
                  "We broke up when he left for college." Garret answered absentmindedly still looking slightly shocked. "Dad knew?"
                  Mrs. Cooper's face softened. “Yes, Garret he did."
                  "He never said anything."
                  "Neither did you. Maybe we made a mistake waiting for you to say something, but we didn't want to push you or make you uncomfortable." Crossing the room Mrs. Cooper took Garret’s face lightly between her hands. “We used to worry you’d miss out on so much because you were afraid to be yourself. I know he’d be proud of the man you are today.”
                  Garret gave his chin a small jerk and cleared his throat with a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Thanks, mom.”
                  Mrs. Cooper released his face, brushing a chaste kiss to his cheek. “So where is the man who’s made my son so happy?”
                  “I ah,” Garret glanced at his brothers nervously. “I asked him to sit this one out. Didn't know how it was going to go.”
                  Raising her hand Mrs. Cooper lightly swatted the back of Garret’s head. “Well get him here, Garret! He’s going to think we’re rude.” Looking genuinely disappointed in him she reached into his coat pocket and grabbed his phone. Garret gulped, his adam's apple bobbing as his mom scrolled through his contacts. Placing the phone to her ear she waited a beat before smiling. “I think it went pretty well, Jared. This is Lorraine Cooper calling to invite you for Sunday dinner.” She paused for a minute to listen to what Jared was saying. “Oh I haven't seen her in awhile, bring her along with you. Tell her I insist.”
                  “Mom, what are you doing?” Wyatt paled as his wide eyes latched onto his mother. I wanted to laugh but knew if Mrs. Cooper was inviting who I thought she was, Wyatt had good reason to look so worried.
                  Mrs. Cooper cut him a look for speaking while she was on the phone before letting out a loud laugh. “Yes those are still my favorites. See you soon, Jared.”
                  “I can’t believe you just did that,” Wyatt’s voice had raised several decibels and a crazed look had entered his blue eyes. “Since this one is here,” he pointed at Reece who hit his arm in response. “Jared is bringing exactly who to Sunday dinner Lorraine Maureen Cooper?”
                  For the first time since the conversation had started Simon seemed interested in what the adult’s were talking about. It made me wonder