Chapter 28

"Hunter?" Jacob questioned. They were sitting on the wooden steps of Hunter's home and watching the sunset. "What if my parents don't accept me. What happens after that?"

"Well," He said and leant back onto his elbows. "You'll always have a place to stay here. But don't worry, just stay positive about it. Have they ever spoken about same-sex couples or anything?"

Jacob shook his head and crossed his legs. Now, his mum has tried to get in touch but he has still heard nothing from his brother.

"There was never a reason for them to bring it up," He mumbled and pulled his sleeves over his hands.

Hunter studied him for a moment. Even though he knows him very well, there are still some things that are a mystery to him.

"Why do you never smile, Jacob?"

Jacob looked up, not really expecting that.

"Um, I don't have anything to smile about."

"But it must be hard, keeping your emotions back like that," He showed his own dazzling smile. "Can you make me a promise to smile at least once a day?"

Jacob chewed his bottom lip which Hunter adored.

"What if I have nothing to smile about?" He whispered.

"Am I not a reason to make you smile?"

"No."

"Ouch," Hunter chuckled. Jacob's eyes flashed with amusement but only for a moment. "But seriously though, talk to me when you're feeling down, shout at me if I've annoyed you, cry on me if you're sad. And on those rare occasions, laugh in my face when you're happy or if I've tripped over my own feet or something."

Jacob looked at him with a relaxed expression. He did appreciate that.

"You can be yourself around me," Hunter continued. "Even if you're actually a really annoying little brat, I'll still like you." Jacob shook his head and cracked a little smile. "Ah, there it is," Hunter chuckled and lifted his hand to grip his cheek.

Jacob covered his face and pushed him away.

"I'm not."

"I know you're not," He chuckled. "But you are stubborn."

Jacob knew he was but that's just part of who he is. If he didn't like something or if he didn't want to do something, he will find a way of expressing it.

"Boys?" They then heard Margo's voice and her footsteps approach the door. "Are you ready to go?"

Hunter's parents are taking them to Jacob's house. They wanted to sort this out for Jacob and if things don't go well then Hunter can have his parents to back him up. They all really hoped that things for Jacob will go smoothly.

"I think so," Hunter said and stood up when Jacob did.

"Right," Anthony left the house with his keys in his hand. "Let's get going."

* * * * *

When they pulled up on the drive outside of Jacob's house, Hunter could feel his nervous. His hands were shaking a little bit and he looked quite pale.

"Jacob?" He questioned and waited until he was looking at him. Margo had turned to see if he was okay. "No matter what happens, you have us three to support you and another place to live. Okay?"

Jacob nodded. His gentle grey eyes calmed him a little. He then turned and climbed out of the car. He wished that he didn't run away but it's what he's best at. Even Hunter admits that he runs from his own problems. It was the easiest option but the most cowardly.

Everyone else climbed out of the car and made their way towards the house. Jacob thought about knocking but this was his house too, however, he felt immensely intimidated all of a sudden.

His home was quiet when they entered. He couldn't hear any talking, radios or TVs. It was rare for it to be this silent. Maybe he has just never noticed it before?

Everyone followed Jacob as he walked down the hallway and towards the living room. When he opened the door, his family clearly hadn't heard him come in as they looked up with surprise.

Scott looked so relieved that he was home.

"Jacob," He breathed and quickly walked over to him. "Are you alright?" He rested both hands on his shoulders and squeezed them. "I've been really worried all day."

Jacob's eyes examined him carefully before he nodded.

Scott sighed and expressed a loving smile.

"Why didn't you tell us, son? There's nothing to worry about, nothing at all." Scott then pulled him into a warm hug. Deep down, Jacob knew he would be okay with it.

Next to get up was William. He felt bad that he hadn't tried to get in touch but he knows Jacob well enough to know that he will not answer his calls when he felt like that. And also, he was surprised that he was gay. That was one thing he should have known about him and it hurt that he never told him.

"Jacob," William said after his dad pulled back. "I can't believe you never told me. How long have you known?"

"A really long time," He said quietly. His mum had slowly walked over but she was staring at Hunter with her judgemental eyes. Something told him that she wasn't too happy about this.

"We don't keep secrets Jacob," He smiled. "You could've told me this years ago. Were you worried about what we would think?"

Jacob nodded. He had an urge to take Hunter's hand but he didn't have the courage.

"I didn't know if you'd be okay with it or not."

"I'm sorry you felt like that. You should've been comfortable enough to say it," Scott smiled. His eyes then glanced at Hunter. "And how long has this relationship been going on? I was more surprised about that than you being gay."

"Not too long," Hunter smiled, just as his parents stood forward.

"I'm so glad everything is okay. Hi, I'm Anthony, Hunter's dad and this is his mum and also my wife, Margo."

Scott beamed at them as Jacob stood close enough to Hunter for their arms to touch.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both. I'm Scott, Jacob's father, this is his mother, Grace and his brother, William."

Grace tried to smile but there was something eating away at her.

"I'm sorry but I just can't accept his."

Everyone stopped and stared at her.

"Grace-" Scott frowned but she silenced him.

"It's not the fact that you're gay Jacob, I honestly don't mind that. I just don't think you should be in a relationship right now."

Jacob watched her with furrowed eyebrows.

"Why?" He could feel Hunter's slight pain at being rejected.

"Because you're not stable enough for it," She felt bad saying this but in her eyes, she thought it was the truth. In reality, she had no idea just how good Hunter was for her son. "I bet you haven't even told him about the voice in your head and how you've been battling with extreme anxiety and you're developing depression-"

"I know all about that," Hunter said. He was shocked that Grace was trying to make her own son look bad in front of him. He was now ready to lie right to her face. Well... sort of. "I know about the voice. Jacob has been completely truthful with me from the start. I know that he has anxiety and he has bad days."

"Then why are you with him?"

"Mum," William frowned.

Margo looked at Jacob and his eyes grew a little sad. His own mother didn't think he was good enough for Hunter.

"Because I like him," Hunter crossed his arms. "There's a lot more to him than just his flaws. Is it so hard to believe that someone is willing to look past that?"

"Yes, it is," Grace scowled at Scott when he shook his head in disapproval. "Why would you want to date someone who's that mentally unstable?"

Jacob looked down at his feet. He was so embarrassed.

"He's not though," Hunter coiled a few of his finger's around Jacob's, earning a little smile from Scott. "Have you ever thought that maybe this relationship is good for him? He's finally growing close to someone and you want to take that away from him?"

"You clearly don't know him like we do-"

"You have no idea what you're talking about," Jacob said quietly. "You don't know who I am at all, do you?"

"I know that you're not well. He's taking advantage of you."

"Now hold on a minute," Anthony said rather sternly. "My son would never do that."

"Oh really? So you think it's okay that he's dating someone who's mentally ill? Are you not worried about the emotional baggage that Jacob carries?"

"I can't believe you just said that," Scott was mortified. "He's our son. How could you talk about him like that? Dating Hunter is a good thing, it means he's moving forwards and accepting change. He's learning to trust again, why can't you see that?"

Grace was worried that Hunter would get bored and leave. Then Jacob would be worse than he is now. He was broken and she was so concerned that this relationship would be too much for him.

"I just don't want to see him with a broken heart. Not after what he has been through."

"And no, we're not worried about our son dating yours," Margo said confidently. "Jacob is a lovely boy. He's sweet, caring and kind. He's just what our son needs who's boisterous and commanding. Jacob is the only person who's been able to chill him out."

Jacob felt like he had been kicked to the ground by his own mother.

Hunter lifted a hand and gently rubbed his back.

"She'll get used to it."

"Mum," Jacob said quietly. "Why did you have to be so mean?"

Everyone's hearts split into two painful pieces. Scott turned and looked at his wife. He has never felt more disappointed in her.

"Grace, could you leave the house for a few hours, please? Our son doesn't need this negativity right now."

Now it was her turn to feel embarrassed. But she knows she has done wrong.

Everyone watched her turn to leave. Nobody felt bad, Jacob needed time without her.

When she had left, Scott offered everyone a warm drink. He wanted to get to know Hunter and his family more, now that he knows his son has been hanging around with him because they are in fact, a couple.

He'll find himself chuckling about that for a while. He thought Hunter might be bullying him. He couldn't have been more wrong.