âI think Cashâs still supposed to get me one of your CDs,â Bass mentioned, glancing between the two men. âYou might have to tell me where I can get a copy, he can be a bit forgetful sometimes.â He threw his lover a playfully teasing look, bringing a hand over his back to rub between his shoulder blades, as if apologizing for the joke.
Bass let out another laugh, nodding. âAlright, alright - Iâll see what I can do.â It left him with a smile on the lips, to think that somehow would make them family. To have this silly game in common. He didnât expect the dinner to be that pleasant between the four of them and he was certainly happy about being proved wrong.
Taking another sip of champagne, he asked, âAre you ready to order?â The group took another look at the menu and called the waiter over to place their orders. Bass ordered something simple, steak, steamed vegetables, nothing too heavy, just in case somehow his nerves got the best of him again.Â
He took a moment to appreciate the view of the Carpenters as the three discussed their options over the menu. It felt like watching a slice of his future unfold and he was surprised to learn he was just as excited for it as he was terrified. Bass glanced at his lover and he wondered if Cash would be the one he shared his life with.Â
All that thinking was getting him nervous but the prospects were pretty good. If he didnât somehow fuck things up, of course, which he tended to do. Not this time, Bass told himself and smiled when his gaze met Cashâs motherâs. A sweet, but forward woman. âYou look happy together.â
He glanced at Cash before answering for himself. âI think ⌠we are ⌠Right?â Bass eyed his lover again and smiled. âWe are ⌠very happy together, yes.â
âIâll make sure you get one.â His dad said, kicking back the rest of his drink. Cash laughed, it was just all too funny. And now that Sebastian had gotten the idea and the ok to write something inspired by his dadâs story he already expected to hear it. Oh, he could already see Zachâs face when he read those lyrics. It would be an inside joke that only the four of them would understand. It was time to order and Cash decided on the Blackened Tilapia with Zucchini Noodles. After much consideration his mother got the Salmon Linguini and his dad ordered the New York Steak with Potatoes, which was to be expected. The man loved his meat.Â
âYou look happy together.â The comment took him a little off guard but it was nice to hear that his mom noticed it. And Bassâ answer to that was also nice. âYeah -â He reached for Bassâ hand to hold it. âWeâre very happy.âÂ
âGood, cause to tell you the truth I wasnât that fond of Michael.â His dad confessed, and it was a bit of a surprise to Cash. âHuh? Since when?â His dad sighed, giving his mom a look as if to make sure it was alright to answer. âSince the day he casually mentioned that being a musician was not a real job.â Cash remembers that day. They were having lunch together and discussing their move to New York when Michael made that comment. Cash remembers his fatherâs face, getting red but keeping his cool. âOh, yeah. I know you got angry. I just didnât know you stopped liking him then.âÂ
âWell, I didnât want to upset you since you were moving away together. Plus, your mother made me promise not to bring it up.â His mom smiled at him. âI liked Michael but he was a bit arrogant honey.â This was news. So his parents had issues with Michael and he didnât know about them? âWait - so you just pretended to like him that whole time? Thatâs not very comforting.â It was as if they realized where this was coming from because his mom quickly reached for his hand. âNoooo, we like Sebastian. Itâs not the same. We just didnât want to say anything back then because you seemed so happy. But, you look a lot happier now.â She then turned to Bass. âWe do like you Bass. Weâve liked you since the first time you came to our house. Of course we would have preferred for things to have happened differently between you but - thats all in he past.â His dad nodded, agreeing with that statement. âYeah, you two make a lot more sense. Iâm glad to have another musician in the family. Someone who actually appreciates the craft. Not a real job my ass.âÂ