Thwarted - 25. Chapter Twenty-Five

Mark nearly collided with Trey as he stepped out of the bathroom. Trey’s hands shot out and grabbed him as he stumbled backwards.

“Hey, everything okay with your dad?” Mark stepped closer and dropped a kiss on Trey’s lips.

“Yeah, he still thinks we’re moving too fast, but I think I managed to put some of his concerns to rest.” Trey smiled.

“I hope you told him that if we did move in together, they are welcome to visit whenever they’d like.” Mark laced his fingers with Trey’s and headed back towards the kitchen. “That’s what I told your mom.”

“Yeah, I did. I also told him that I’d be able to visit more than I do now.”

“Good.” Mark stepped into the kitchen to see bowls of stew already on the table as well as plates of biscuits. Gary and Diane were already seated and were apparently just waiting on them. Gary eyed their clasped hands but didn’t say anything and Diane just smiled as they both took their seats.

“Well, let’s eat.” Gary grabbed a plate of biscuits and set two on a small plate before passing the plate to Trey.

“That was great Diane.” Mark stood and picked up his empty dishes before gathering everyone else’s and carrying them to the sink.

“Thank you Mark, just set them in the sink and I’ll load them in the dishwasher.” Diane pushed her chair back and started to stand but Trey motioned her back down and stood.

“We’ll take care of them, Mom. You cooked, we’ll clean up.”

Mark bit back a chuckle as Trey’s mom looked over at him.

“Obviously you’re already a good influence on him.”

“Very funny.” Trey joined Mark at the sink. “You act like I never help when I’m here.”

Mark started rinsing the plates and bowls. Working together it didn’t take very long before the dishwasher was full and Trey shut the door and started the cycle before turning to face his parents.

“So what do you guy want to do now?”

“Figured you’d want to relax today. We know how long that drive is. I’ve got a few things I have to take care of up at the property so that I can be free the rest of the week.” Gary shrugged. “Well, unless something breaks down. I shouldn’t be too long.” Gary stood and paused by Diane’s chair long enough to drop as kiss on her lips. “I should be back in a couple of hours.”

Trey yawned as his dad left.

“Actually, I think I might need a nap. I had to get up early yesterday and we got an early start this morning.” He grinned at Mark. “We should get rested up because if I know Dad, we’ll probably spend tomorrow at the lake.”

Diane chuckled.

“He hasn’t gone out much lately and I know he was hoping that you’d be up for taking the boat out.” Diane stood. “Why don’t you boys go rest up and I’ll just read for a bit.”

“You sure you don’t mind?”

“Not at all, we have all week to catch up.”

“Thanks, Mom.” Trey led the way back upstairs. He waited until they were behind the closed bedroom door to step closer and wrap his arms around Mark’s waist.

“I thought you were tired”—Mark chuckled—“or was that just an excuse to get me alone.”

“Maybe a bit of both.” Trey laughed. “Honestly, it’s a bit odd. I’ve never brought anyone home to meet my parents.”

“Your parents are great.” Mark kissed Trey gently.

“How were your parents the first time you brought someone home?”

Mark swallowed. Trey had never really asked about his parents and he’d managed to keep them out of conversation up until now. He’d known the subject was bound to come up, especially now that Trey had brought him home.

“I never have; well, not since high school.” Mark closed his eyes, hoping Trey would let it drop.

“Oh.” Trey stepped back and moved over to sit on the bed. “Just never met the right guy?”

“That, and because I barely speak to my parents.” Mark sighed. He walked over and lay on the bed, one arm covering his eyes.

“They took your coming out hard?”

Mark couldn’t see him, but he felt movement on the bed and lifted his arm to see Trey lying next to him, propped on one arm.

“They don’t know.” Mark rolled so he was facing Trey. “It wasn’t much of an issue when I was in the army. I never had a serious enough relationship.”

“What about now?”

It was a valid question; they were talking about starting a life together. If only it was as easy as just calling his parents up and setting up a visit, but it wasn’t.

Mark groaned.

“Once I decided to get out of the military, I decided that I was done hiding. I planned to tell them once my enlistment was up, give them time to get used to the idea so that when I met someone they’d be over the shock.” Mark sighed.

“So why didn’t you?”

“Because I underestimated my dad. He had been upset with me when I chose the army over the marines. He was a marine, his brother was a marine, my grandpa had been a marine, it was expected that I’d join the marines.”

“And you joined the army.”

“Yeah, it didn’t go over well, but time heals all wounds I guess and he got over it”—Mark shrugged—“as much as he was going to anyways. I suspect my mom had a lot to do with it.”

“So what happened?” Trey scooted closer.

“I became a disgrace to his name.” His dad’s words still hurt. He didn’t give Trey a chance to say anything. “He got over me choosing the army, but me not making the military my career was more than he could accept. He hasn’t talked to me since.”