Connected by the Tide (24 page)

“When Andre said he was gay, I was shocked,” Jeremy said. “I thought Ren was going to be the lesbian in the family.”

She rolled her eyes. “You guys are such assholes.”

“Hey,” Jeremy said. “I’m just saying. You were very masculine.” Jeremy looked at Henry. “At her fifth birthday party, someone gave her a doll, so she tried to burn it with the candles from her birthday cake.”

Henry laughed. “Wow. Baby, that’s hilarious.”

“Shut up!” she said to Jeremy. “Stop embarrassing me.”

“I got one,” Andre said. “In high school, she was nominated as a prom queen, but she didn’t even go because she refused to wear a dress.”

Henry raised an eyebrow. “You wear dresses now.”

“Yeah, but not those ridiculous, puffy dresses that make me look like a cooked marshmallow. I like plain, loose dresses. They are comfortable.”

Jeremy leaned forward. “In kindergarten, she had a Power Rangers lunch box.”

She glared at him with hate. “Stop talking!”

Henry rubbed her shoulder. “Baby, that’s cute.”

“Not
when she had it until junior high,” Andre said.

She kicked him under the table.

“Ouch! I was just in the hospital, jerk.”

“Your legs were fine,” she snapped. “Why are you embarrassing me like this? You never said anything to my other boyfriends. Don’t scare Henry away.”

Jeremy smiled. “We’re telling him because we like him, Renee.”

“What?” she asked.

“It’s going to take a lot to scare me off,” Henry whispered in her ear.

“He’s part of the family,” Andre said. “He’s entitled to know the truth of your
long and difficult progression to a woman.”

“Well, you’ve told him enough,” she said.

“Wait, I got one more,” Jeremy said. “In high school, she dressed as Jabba the Hutt for Halloween.”

“And I was Princess Lei
a,” Andre said.

Joe sighed. “I knew I had some weird kids on my hands.”

Ren’s face turned crimson.

Henry ran his fingers through her hair. “I think I love you even more.”

She stared at him. “You don’t think I’m weird?”

“I didn’t say that,” he said with a laugh.

“Henry,” she pressed.

“I think it’s adorable. You obviously blossomed into a woman. It just too
k a little while. And I definitely know you aren’t gay.”

Her cheeks
flushed again.

Joe looked at him. “Henry, what’s your major?”

“Oh-oh,” Jeremy said. “It’s time for the grill.”

Henry smiled. “I can handle it.” He turned to her father. “I’m an English major like your daughter.”

“But he used to study zoos,” Andre said. “Or something like that.”

Henry continued
, “I’m a junior at the university. I plan to be a professional writer or teach at the university level. I met Ren in our advanced composition course. I had the wrong book and she blatantly told me that, making me feel stupid.”

She laughed.

“I asked her out a few weeks later, hypnotized by her beauty, and we’ve been dating for several months.”

He nodded. “Everything looks good so far. Where do you work?”

“I work at the aquarium, and I write for the school newspaper.”

Ren touched his arm. “He’s perfect, Daddy.”

“It seems like it,” Joe said.

“And we like him,” Jeremy said. “We like him a lot.”

“Yeah,” Andre added.

“Well, I guess you’re in, kid,” he said.

“Thanks,” Henry said. “I love Renee very much—even if she’s a little manly.”

“I’m not manly,
” she said.

“You do eat a lot,” he teased.

“You like it when I eat.”

“My wallet doesn’t.”

“Poor guy,” Andre said. “He doesn’t know what he’s gotten into. Dad, you should be happy that you got her off your hands.”

Joe glanced at Henry then looked away. “It looks like the better man won.”

Henry met his gaze then nodded, silently thanking him for the approval. He knew he had it last night when he came to his doorstep and risked his reputation to give Ren what she wanted. That incident could have backfired, and he was glad it didn’t. Her dad wasn’t a jerk like he thought. He was a good person who’d just made a mistake. He just needed someone to pull his head out of his ass.

32

When Henry turned on his phone, he had five voicemails. They were all from one person—his brother. Rather than listening to them all, he just called him back.

“What the fuck?” Bryce snapped.

“What a heartwarming hello,” he said sarcas
tically. “Where the hell are you? I can come get you.”

“No, that’s not why I called.”

“Really?” Henry asked. “You never call me for anything else.” He didn’t mean to be cold. It just came out. He was standing in Ren’s backyard, pacing around the pool. He didn’t want her to hear the conversation.

“I heard there was a huge fight at the aquarium. Someone was sent to the hospital and another person was badly injured. I called the hospital
, but they didn’t say you’d checked in. When I called you and you didn’t answer, I started to panic. I went to your place, but your roommates said they haven’t seen you in days. Now, let me repeat myself. What the fuck?”

“Oh, I didn’t know you heard about that.”

“Are you okay?”

“Bryce, I’m fine.”

“What the hell happened?”

“It’s a long story,” he said with a sigh.

“Who the fuck touched you? I swear to God I’ll kill them.”

“Calm down. I said I was fine.” Henry was caught off guard by the protective side of his brother. He hadn’t seen it before. Most of the time, he didn’t think his brother even liked him.

“Are you going to tell me what happened?”

Henry sighed then told him the whole story.

“Why the fuck didn’t you call me?”

“When would I have done that?” he yelled back. “When I
was holding the guy down? When I was being punched?”

“Whatever,” his brother snapped. “You should have called me back.”

“I’m sorry. I was busy.”

“Doing what?”

“Taking care of my girlfriend. The victim is her brother.”

“You have a girlfriend?” His voice sounded hurt, wounded.

“Yeah.”

“Oh. You didn’t tell me that.”

Henry stared at his feet, listening to the static on the line.

“Is it serious?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh. I’m happy for you.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Thanks. So what’s new with you?”

“Nothing.
Just been freaking out about you.”

“I didn’t know you cared.”

“Of course I care, asshole.”

Henry felt bad for snapping, but he couldn’t hide his anger. “Well, I’ll talk to you next time you need me to pick up
because you’re drunk.”

“Henry, wait.”

“What?”

“You
wanna do something?”

“What?
What do you mean, do something?”

“Get food or something. Are you hungry?”

“I—I don’t know.”

“Bring your girlfriend. I would like to meet her.”

“Uh, I’ll ask.”

“Text me.”

“Okay.”

“
’Bye.” He hung up.

Henry stood there, trying to process what the hell
had just happened. His brother never made an effort to spend time with him. He just used him all the time. He walked back inside. Ren spotted his distress immediately.

“What is it, baby?” she asked as she touched his arm.

“My brother wants to do something.”

“Oh. Is that a good thing?”

“I don’t know.”

“Is he drunk?”

“I don’t think so.”

“It sounds like he wants to spend time with you.”

“He heard about the fight. He was freaking out about it.”

“Maybe that was a
wake-up call for him.”

“Maybe.”

“You should see him.”

“You think?”

“Yeah.”

“He asked me to bring you along.”

“Then we should both go.”

“I’m not going to sugar
coat this. My brother is an ass.”

“Have you met my two brothers?” she asked with a smile. “I want to meet him. I’ve met everyone but him.”

“He isn’t a sweet guy like me.”

She rolled
her eyes. “I’m practically a guy. I can handle it, baby.”

“Okay. I’ll text him.” He opened his phone and sent the message. “Don’t wear a dress.”

She raised an eyebrow. “That’s the first time you’ve ever told me not to.”

“I don’t want you to wear one in front of him.”

“You don’t tell me what to wear,” she snapped.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. Dane used to be like that, telling me what to do all the time. I have a short fuse.”

“Well, I didn’
t mean it like that.”

“I know.”

“Well, we should get going, then. He wants to meet at Paradise Burger.”

“Ooh. I like burgers.
”

“Why is that not surprising?
”

They left the house and arrived at the restaurant. When they walked inside, Bryce was already sitting at a booth. He waved them over. Henry took her hand and guided her to the seat.

Bryce stood up and looked at Henry’s face. “You okay?”

“I’m fine,” he said, brushing it off.

“Who the hell did this to you?” he said with an angry voice.

“I wish I knew. Now
, keep your voice down.”

Bryce sighed. “Whatever.”

Henry brought Ren closer to him. “This is my girlfriend, Renee.”

Bryce extended his hand and shook hers. He stared at her face for a long time. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Likewise.”

Henry waited for Bryce
to tease him, but he never did. He assumed his brother would objectify her, tell Henry she was out of his league, make a comment about her large breasts—something. He didn’t. Instead, he sat down.

Henry let Ren get into the bo
oth before he sat down. He noticed Bryce only had a water sitting in front of him. “So, what’s up?”

He shrugged.
“Nothing. Just work.”

“What do you do?” Ren asked.

“I’m a lifeguard.”

“Cool,” she said.
“The main beach?”

“Yeah.
How do you know my brother?”

“We go
to school together.”

“You’re
a microbiology major, too?”

“No, English
just like Henry.”

Bryce looked at Henry, confusion on his face. “I thought your major was microbiology or something?”

“It was zoology,” Henry corrected. “And I changed it this semester.”

“Oh.” Bryce leaned back and averted his gaze. “I didn’t know you changed it.”

“Yeah. I like English better.”

“Well, I’m happy for you
, then.”

“Thanks.”

“Do you go to school?” Ren asked.

“No.”

She waited for him to elaborate, but he remained silent.

Henry took over.
“He went to the university, but he dropped out last year.”

“Oh,” she said. “I’m sorry.”

Bryce played with the coaster on the table, spinning it between his fingers. He wore a long-sleeved shirt and jeans. Henry thought it was odd, since he was hot all the time. He didn’t ask him about it.

“How long have you been dating?” Bryce asked.

“A few months.”

“Cool,” he said with nod.

“No, she doesn’t have a sister,” Henry said.

“I wasn’t going to ask,” Bryce said as he leaned back.

Henry narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

“Your mom and sister are very nice,” Ren said.

Bryce looked at her. “You met them?”

“Yeah.”

“When?” he asked quickly.

“Last week.”

“Oh,” he said.

“Mom actually made an effort to cook. It wasn’t burned,” Henry said. “And she showered. That was a nice change.”

“She ask about me?”

He stared at his brother. “She always asks about you, man.”

He nodded.

“Let’s go over there after dinner,” Henry offered.

“No,” he said quickly. “I don’t want to see her.”

Henry sighed, hating himself for expecting anything else. “You still have a sister you should keep in touch with.”

“Can we drop it?” Bryce asked, dropping the coaster on the table.

Henry fell silent.

The waitress came over and took their orders. Ren got a burger, a soup, and a milkshake.

When the waitress walked away, Bryce looked at Ren. “You know how to eat.”

Henry smiled at her. “I like that my baby eats.”

“Most of the girls I meet at the beach will only order a salad with a side of water, maybe a lemon if they are real
ly splurging,” Bryce said.

“Then stop dating bimbos,” Ren said.

Bryce smiled. “Maybe I should. You know anyone?”

“I don’t introduce my girlfriends to guys I don’t know.”

“You mean guys you think are losers.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“I’m sure you think that after everything Henry told you.”

“He told me he loves you and misses you.”

He looked at Henry. “Really?”

Henry shrugged. “I might have said that.”

Bryce picked up the coaster again. “I’ve been thinking about what you said.”

“Which is?” Henry asked.

“That you’re scared you’re going to lose me.”

Henry averted his gaze and looked across the restaurant.

“When I thought something had happened to you, I felt the same way. It scared me.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. I’m sorry for dumping everything on you, only calling you when I need something. I—I miss you, man.”

“I miss you
, too.”

They were quiet for a moment, staring at anything but each other.

“Can we hang out more?” Bryce asked.

“Yeah.
How about we go see Mom?”

Bryce dropped the coaster again. “I said no
, like, fifteen times.”

“I’m sorry,” Henry said quickly. “I thought I would ask.”

“Well, you asked twice.”

“Okay. I hope you change your mind.”

“Never.”

Henry sighed
, wishing the conversation had gone differently. When he looked at his brother, he saw the concern in his eyes. There was something more on his mind, but he was holding back. He suspected it was because of Ren.

The food came
, and Ren ate everything more quickly than the two men did. Henry smiled at her, proud of her appetite. He was never into super-skinny girls who looked anorexic. Ren had some belly fat that hung on her hips, but he thought it was hot. He enjoyed her body. He couldn’t get enough of it.

When the bill came, Bryce paid for it.

“What are you doing?” Henry asked.

“You’ll get the next one,” he said as he put his wallet away.

Henry didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t stay mad at his brother when he was trying this hard. He wondered if he had stopped drinking or if he just wasn’t doing it around Ren.

They walked outside then moved to their cars.

Bryce stood in front of his car and looked at Henry. Henry understood the meaning.

“Baby, can you wait in the car for a second?”

“Sure.” She turned to Bryce. “It was nice meeting you. And thank you for dinner.”

“The pleasure was all
mine, Renee.”

She walked away and got inside the car.

Henry put his hands in his pockets and looked at his brother, waiting for him to speak.

“She’s a catch.”

“I know.”

“You need to show me your moves.”

He shrugged. “I was just honest with her. I don’t play games.”

“Well, you deserve her. You deserve the best.”

Henry didn’t know what to say to that.

“I
’ve stopped—tried to stop.”

“I noticed you hadn’t called me in a while.”

“I’m trying to get better.”

“Why are you wearing long sleeves?”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“You know exactly what the fuck that means.”

Bryce met his stare then looked away.