Second Chances in New Port Stephen - Chapter 45

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Second Chances in New Port Stephen - Chapter 45

Nick looked at Eli, his eyebrows raised in question. Eli returned the look with a nibble to his
lower lip.
“You’re totally welcome to join us. But only if you want,” he said.
“As long as you’re fine with us barging in on—whoa, okay.” Nick nearly toppled over as Zoe
tugged him toward the Wards. She was so much stronger than she looked. “I guess that settles
it.”
They were greeted by Eli’s parents with all the trappings of an overly prepared older couple. Mr.
Ward offered a bottle of bug spray, which Nick thought was a little much considering the breeze
would keep any mosquitos at bay, but he dutifully spritzed down Zoe’s arms and legs. Mrs. Ward
had brought a cooler filled with bottled water and snacks, so within minutes of enduring the
smell of Off, Zoe was happily munching on baby carrots with ranch dip. She sat
crisscross applesauce on the crabgrass next to Eli’s folks and chattered away about her visit with
the mall Santa between mouthfuls.
Nick stood awkwardly over her, hemmed in by the encroaching crowd. Eli was stuck on his other
side.
“Nice night,” he said. Like they had nothing to discuss but the weather.
“Yeah,” Nick agreed. “It is.”

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They stood for a long minute in the pocket of quiet they’d created amid the buzz of the
festivities. The sun had dipped down behind the mainland, and the sunset colors were slowly
fading into midnight blue. A children’s choir over by the tree finished up a slightly off-key
rendition of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” to a smattering of applause. Soon it would be dark,
and the boat parade could begin. Easy anticipation was in the air. Somewhere over by the
parking lot, a dog started yapping. In the opposite direction, a man laughed so loud it made Nick
jump.
“Hey, I’m sorry about the other night,” Eli said all in a rush, like he wanted to get it out in one
fell swoop.
“Oh?” What Nick really wanted to ask was, Which part? If Eli meant the dancing and flirting,
Nick was going to dive straight into the freezing water.
“What you told me? Before I went to Denny’s with the guys?” He glanced over at his parents,
but they were enthralled by Zoe and not listening in at all. “I probably could have taken that
news better. Been more supportive. I just—I’m sorry.”
Nick sighed. “It’s not your fault.” He looked out over the water. “I probably could have picked a
better time and place to talk about it.”
“No,” Eli said quickly. “That’s not the point. There is no bad time to—” He stopped, screwing his
mouth to one side. “Come out? Is that how you’d describe it?”
“I don’t know. Do people come out as questioning?” Nick asked.
“If you want.” Eli shrugged. “The point is, you told me something big, and I fumbled the ball.
That’s on me, not you.”
“Oh, look at you. A sports metaphor.”
“I can be butch.”