Autumn Ended With A Kiss - 16. Chapter 16

Me, Andy, and his mom and sister followed Kat, Jeff, Jasper, and the kids in my dingy car as they drove in the SUV. I suddenly knew where Andy got his habit of singing along with the radio from. He mom did it almost the entire way there, though not in annoying way. Much like Andy, she did it in a quiet, discreet way.

We arrived in Eugene right on schedule. It was about three hours before dinner time. The first person I saw was my aunt Carol who gave me a big aunt Carol type hug.

“Carol, you remember Andy right?” I asked.

“Oh of course. What a sweet boy. Come here.”

Carol was a hug person. She gave everyone hugs, including my boyfriend. This was awkward for me. I couldn’t even imagine how awkward it was for Andy.

“And, this is his mom, Gina and his little sister Susan.”

It seemed that Gina and Carol got along right away. Carol started to as Susan if she had any special recipes that they could use for today and Gina is a pretty big cook so they started to talk right away.

“Hey Kale, how’ve you been?” asked Andy as we walked into the house.

Kale just looked up at him and then walked away. I tried calling after him to tell him to apologize, but he ignored me.

“I’ll be back.” I said to Andy.

“Dylan, it’s okay.” said Andy, considerately.

“No, it isn’t. I’ll be back.”

I followed Kale passed my aunts Carol and Kat and Gina talking in the kitchen and then my Uncle Jeff talking to my Uncle Smith and my cousin Landon in the living room while watching the football game.

I found Kale in the back yard playing with the new puppy my aunt Carol just got.

“Hey, Kale…what the hell was that?” I asked.

“He cheated on you.”

I sighed. “Who told you that?”

“Jasper. I asked him why you guys didn’t talk anymore and he told me it was because you told Zero that you were gonna be with him because Andy cheated on you, but you just lied to Zero.”

“No, I didn’t lie to Zero. Andy did cheat on me and I didn’t have every intention of being with Zero, but…I just couldn’t do it. I went to Meek to do it and I couldn’t. I love Andy too much.”

“So what’s to stop him from doing it again? I hate him for hurting you!”

“Kale, you don’t know the entire story. Don’t be mad at Andy.”

“Tell me, then. Tell me the whole story.”

“It’s personal, Kale. I’m not gonna go into it.”

“I thought we could talk about anything with each other? I told you personal stuff about me.”

“It’s different. It’s not just my personal business. It’s Andy’s too. We’re a couple.”

“I still don’t like the way he hurt you.” said Kale.

“He didn’t hurt me.”

“Is that why you went running to Zero?”

“I’m telling you that it’s none of your business. Now stop being so rude. This is supposed to be a family holiday.”

“Andy is NOT my family.”

“Well, then I guess I’m not either, because Andy is my family.”

I turned around and walked back into the house. I ran into aunt Carol immediately. She handed me an old dingy football.

“What’s this for?” I asked.

“You throw it.” said Carol.

“Carol, I’m gay. I’m not stupid.”

She smiled. “I know. Listen, it’s Landon’s old football. I thought you kids might like to throw it around.”

“Well, if we do, count me out.”

“Why?”

“Jasper or Kale will barely talk to me let alone throw around a football with me.” I said. Carol looked at me worried. “It’s a long story. Can you please not ask?”

“Okay, well, I’ll go take this to Kale. You guys should work this stuff out. You’re family.”

I handed her the football back. “I’ll definitely try.” I answered.

I walked back to Andy, sat next to him and kissed him on the cheek.

“What was that for?” he asked.

“Just because.” I said. “Because I felt like it.”

“What did Kale say?”

“Nothing. He’s just having a bad day.”

My cousin Landon came over and sat across from us. He couldn’t make it to the wedding so he and Andy had never met.

“Andy, this is my cousin Landon. Landon, this is my boyfriend Andy.”

“Wow, my told me you were, but I didn’t really believe it. This is crazy.”

I felt uncomfortable and shifted in my chair.

“So how long have you two been together?” asked Landon.

“Well…technically two months,” I started, “but emotionally…”

“Since about July.” Andy smiled.

“I see…” Landon’s brow turned in, giving a confused vibe.

“We were friends before getting together.” I continued.

“Oh, okay. I get it. So, don’t gay guys like football?”

I laughed. “Ah, generally, probably no, but…we’re both fans.”

“Then why aren’t you out there playing with Jasper, Jeff and the twins?”

Andy peeked outside. “Oh, I didn’t know they were playing.” He got up to go join them, but I grabbed his hand to stop him. He looked back at me. “What’s wrong.”

“Maybe that’s not the best idea.” I confessed.

“Why not?”

“You’re not really their favorite person right now.” I confessed again.

“Why what happened?”

“Let’s just say they found about your…indiscretion.”

“Oh, yeah and that it caused my indiscretion which in turn broke Zero’s heart.”

“I’m confused.” said Landon.

We both looked Landon’s way.

“Sorry,” he said with a guilty smile.

“So, they’re mad at me for…for cheating on you.” stated Andy.

“Exactly.”

“And they’re mad at me for not breaking up with you for it.” I finished.

Andy sat back down and looked at me all troubled. All I wanted to do was hold him. I could see him turning guilty for turning my relatives against me.

“Hey, baby, this isn’t your fault okay. I’ll work things out with my cousins.” I wrapped my arms around him and he fell into me. I felt my way around his muscles.

“I just don’t want to be the reason why you fight with your family.”

“You are my family. The most important part of it. So calm down.”

“I love you, Dylan…”