Chapter 267

“Don’t be afraid,” Andrew says, appearing next to me with his chestnut hair buzzed short, a white polo shirt on over a pair of light colored jeans. He smiles at me, and I feel suddenly so much better to have a friend around who I’m not romantically involved with. He leans in close and whispers in my ear. “If I can tell my parents that I’m gay, you can so do this. It’s easy; you got this.”

Andrew moves into the kitchen and reaches for the wine before he realizes that he’s not exactly twenty-one.

“Oh, son, I know you kids all drink,” Dad says with a slight smile. “A glass of chardonnay isn’t going to kill you. Just don’t become an alcoholic like me.”

“Dad!” I choke out as Zack steps forward to stand by my side.

“Your daughter doesn’t drink, not at all,” Zack says, and Charlie’s smile gets just a bit sadder.

“She’s always been one to make prudent choices. Okay, Marnye, tell me what’s going on.”

“I’m … dating five guys,” I say, and what’s left of Dad’