''And.. Go.''

''Pass the corn.''

Jeff face palms his forehead while Devin threw her head back with a groan. It's been three weeks since Matthew Greene and Caleb Otero confirmed with one another that they had feelings for each other. The real hard part, letting other people know.

Thankfully, Matthew had an older sister like Devin who helped him with baby steps.

First, he was going to announce his sexuality at the family dinner tonight.

Apparently, Jacob Greene is making another attempt of making small family gatherings after hearing about Alyssa Greene's near death experience.

Though this was the first dinner Jeff cordially got to meet the whole family, Devin was focused more on Matthew's news.

''Matthew,'' She flares her nostrils. ''seriously, you can do this. Think about it, the only important person you're telling, really is mom. Dad and Violet are just bystanders.''

He shakes his head. ''So why can't I just wait till I'm with mom?''

''Because part of coming out, bystanders are going to know,'' Jeff explains to him. ''Whether you like it or not. You need to learn how to accept that everyone is going to respond differently.''

''Okay,'' Matthew consistently nods his head. ''Okay, I got this.''

''Great,'' Devin clapped her hands together. ''Now, what are you going to say?''

Jeff Atkins and Devin Greene was sitting in Devin's bedroom on her bed while Matthew stood before them as if he was presenting an informal presentation. Both boy were dressed up in a nice shirt and jeans while Devin wore a black turtle neck long sleeve and a tan corduroy skirt.

He takes a deep breath. ''I'm gay.''

His smile had grown with Devin's as he repeats. ''I'm gay.''

''We're ready.''

''Guys!'' Alyssa called from downstairs. ''Let's go.''

× × ×

''Devin, Matthew!'' Violet cheers as soon as she opens the front door to her apartment complex, completely subsiding Alyssa's presence. ''It's so good to see you guys again.''

Matthew stares back at her blankly while Devin peers away, sucking her lips into a straight line.

''Uh,'' She clasped her hands together, her gaze flickering over to Jeff. ''This must the boyfriend your dad mentioned.''

Devin nods her head and hums, ''Mhm.''

Jeff smiles however, remaining positive given he doesn't really know the ordeal between Devin's family. She didn't really like talking about this side of her family much.

''Hi,'' He waves a hand. ''I'm Jeff.''

''Nice to meet you, Jeff,'' She smiles back, appreciative of his kindness. ''I'm Violet, Jacob's wife.''

''Girlfriend,'' Alyssa blurts out. ''I mean-'' She chuckles dryly once the attention was on her. ''You're welcome to correct me but you're just his girlfriend.''

Violet Libon pursed her lips, standing in silence. She knew she risked a lot by being with Jacob Greene, but the least she would've thought was for Alyssa to be mature about the situation.

''Can we go in or are we eating out here like dogs?'' Matthew remarks. Alyssa refused for Matthew and Devin to have lunch so the last real meal they ate was breakfast. That was at nine in the morning and it's now eight at night.

''Oh,'' Her features lit up into another friendly grin. ''Of course, come in.''

She takes a step aside and opens the door wider for her guest to step inside.

Alyssa was the first to walk in, followed by Matthew, then Devin, leaving Jeff to be the last to enter the residence. Violet closes the door behind them. The slam of the door sending a chill through Matthew's spine. It felt like he crossed some barrier he shouldn't have.

It's been so long since he's been here, yet the place still felt foreign to him.

Jacob then appeared from around the corner of the short hallway. He grins, folding his arms across his chest. ''Well, hello.'' He takes a step forward, his gaze intensely trained on Jeffery Atkins. ''You must be Jeff, Devin's boyfriend.''

He extends a hand out to him for him to shake. Jeff shakes his hand, making sure his grip was firm and strong for approval. Devin may not care about her father's impression on Jeff, but Jeff did. It was crucial for the boyfriend to be approved by the father.

He nods his head at him. ''Yes, sir. It's nice to properly meet you.''

''Likewise,'' He agrees, pulling away from his grasp. The corners of Jeff's lips slightly dropped in a pout as he watched their hands depart. Why didn't he comment on the hand shake? Was it not strong enough? Or was it so weak that he saved him the embarrassment?

''Do you know if you're temporary or is this for real?''

''Jacob!'' Alyssa scolds while Devin exclaims, ''Dad!''

''Well we know being a dick isn't temporary,'' Matthew comments standing along the side lines.

''Matt,'' Jeff quietly calls in comparison to Alyssa, who nearly screeched his name. All she wanted for this dinner to go well. If all goes good, the sooner it will end.

Jacob takes a deep breath. ''Why don't we take a seat? Yeah? Dinner's ready.''

He leads the group back from where he came, leading them straight into the open kitchen and dining room.

Alyssa Greene, Matthew Greene and Jacob Greene sat on one side of the table while Violet Libon, Devin Greene and Jeff Atkins sat on the other, in that order.

Devin nods her head at her little brother who sat across from him. He swallows deeply and nods his head back at her. Devin was quickly distracted when she felt a hand intertwine with hers under the table.

She looks at their hands before looking up at him with furrowed brows.

''You okay?''

''I need your dad to like me,'' He whispers.

She giggles softly. ''No, you don't. Look, if it counts, my mom plays the dad role too. So technically, my dad does like you.''

''That doesn't help.''

Jacob takes his seat at the end of the table after placing all bowls of food on the table and glanced at Devin and Jeff conserving with one another. ''What are we talking about?''

''About how much progress Jeff's made since he's been getting tutored,'' Devin automatically throws out there. She didn't find the importance of her father liking Jeff, but if it bothered Jeff this much, he couldn't let him stay uncomfortable.

His brows jumped on his forehead. ''Tutoring?''

Jeff nods his head.

''What-'' Jacob shrugs his shoulders. ''you're not smart enough to get the grades on your own?''

''It shows he's not perfect,'' Devin argues. This is exactly why Devin didn't care much about her father's opinion. He thought of himself well mannered and above all when he's even trashier than the ocean. ''At least he's willing to work on his issues. It shows intuitive.''

''Hmm,'' He hums. Devin crossed one leg over the under and straightens her posture, a smirk conquering her lips at the silence of her father. It was like a competition, of who can get the last word. God, was it satisfying to hear crickets on his end.

''So, Jeff,'' Violet smiles. ''We hear you do baseball? What's that like?''

''Uh,'' He clears his throat. ''I'm always having fun with it. I like knowing that I can improve and make myself a better player out on the field.''

Jacob scoffs. ''You do know people much rather prefer to watch a football game than baseball, right, kid?''

''With all due respect, sir, but that's a matter of opinion.''

The table fell silent.

Matthew bows his head and prayers a cross on himself by tapping his chest, both right and left shoulder, and his forehead. He kissed his hand and shook his head.

Jeffery Atkins had the right intentions of keeping quiet. As argumentative as her father was, countering back was like entering a head to head to the death.

''Have you ever thought about doing something practical in your life, Jeff?''

''Sir, I have scouts pinning tags on me, and I'm only in my Junior year,'' He cocks his head to the side. ''I think I am going for something practical.''

Devin grins next to him. She couldn't believe, this ray of sunshine averring with her father, possibly the biggest asshole on the planet. It was gold.

Jacob raised his hands in feign surrender. ''I'm just looking out for you, kid. Sports aren't for everyone.''

Jeff looks down at his plate and scoffs. ''I appreciate the faux concern, but I do plan on going to college and becoming a middle school teacher as my back up plan.''

Alyssa, Matthew and Devin were impressed. They never seen this side of Jeff before given that he's always considerate and kind to others. He's never held an intimidating stance.

''You want to be an educator but can't even keep your own grades in tact?''

He shrugs his shoulders. ''You know what they say. Those who can't do, teach.''

Matthew choked on his sip of water, some of the residue spilling on his jeans.

''Unfortunately, there's no secret to success.''

''Failing isn't going to be my forever- I'm sorry,'' Jeff shakes his head vigorously. ''Did I do something to you? Why am I being discouraged for doing something practical?''

''I'm gay.''

Devin blinks rapidly. Talk about moving too fast.

Jacob furrows his brows while Alyssa smiles. ''What?''

Matthew turns to his mother and smiles. ''I'm gay.''

Alyssa cups his face with both hands and gasps, ''Oh my god.''

Jeff turns to Jacob with a forced smile. ''Is that practical enough?''

Devin squeezes his arm and leans into his side, hissing, ''Not now.''

''Matthew,'' Jacob softly calls. ''I am so-''

''Disgusted!'' Violet exclaims.

It was the first time since Devin sat down, has she even bothered to look in her direction. A corner of her lip was twitched with a bitter distaste. ''Excuse me?''

She shakes her head at Jacob Greene. ''You can't think this is what he is? It's just a cry of attention from being gone from home for so long.''

''Are you a psychiatrist?'' Alyssa questions. ''May I remind you, the only thing that's disgusting here is you.''

''Also,'' Devin jerks her head back. ''You were once the side piece who gave up her job because you gained a sugar daddy.''

''And I'm not away from home,'' Matthew argues. ''I am home.''

Violet throws her napkin that was resting above her thighs, onto the table and stand while muttering, ''I refuse to sit here and listen to this.'' She looks back at Jacob and shakes her head in a subtle motion, as if she's expecting a rise out of him as well. ''Right, Jacob?''

''Uh,'' He stammers. He alters his gaze over to Matthew whose glossy brown eyes practically plead for him to not cave in. As much of a dick his father was, there was no way he would turn on him.

Devin narrows her eyes at him. She knew as much as the next person that he was going to support Matthew. Maybe Alyssa was right, maybe he held a little bit of compassion left for Devin and Matthew Greene. His lips didn't turn thin and his nostrils didn't flare the way it usually does when he's angered.

''Maybe this dinner was a bad idea.''

Matthew shakes his head and shoots up from his seat. He storms out of the apartment without another word, nor a look back.

''Dev,'' Jacob gently calls after her. His voice cracked at the sight of her pushing herself out of her seat. Jeff follows after her, disappointed by the whole situation.

Alyssa was the last one at the table. She gets up with pursed lips, staring him down as if he was a homeless person taking a dump in public. ''I can't believe I spent endless nights crying over you. Being left was the best thing that's ever happened to me. You're not but a pussy.''

She grabs her glass of water and turn at the heel of her foot, splashing her cup all over Violet. She slams the cup on the table and steps up to her. ''I find out you say one more word about my kids, I will put you in the hospital myself.''

While Alyssa was on her way out of the apartment, Devin was running after Matthew Greene, who was already on his way down the block.

''Matt!''

''Shit, Matt!'' Jeff calls.

''Leave me alone!''

''Matt!'' Devin calls. ''I'm sorry that happened, but-''

''I said-'' He huffs out a puff of air before turning to the two. ''Leave me alone. I'll find my way back home.''

''No, you're not!''

Devin and Jeff turned, revealing Alyssa Greene's physique appearing from in between the two as she was marching her way over. Eventually, she walks around the couple and catches up to Matthew. She points a finger into his chest and looks up to him. ''You listen to me, and you listen to me good. You don't get to walk away from this one.''

His bottom lip quivered. ''But, he-''

''I know,'' She nods. ''I know, I was there. But I'm here.'' Her hands founds his face once more, cupping his soft cheek into her hold. ''And I will never let you go through this alone. Because I love you and I want you to be happy-'' She chuckles through her tears. ''and I can't believe that I have a son as brave as you to admit to who you are. I appreciate you and there will be someone who will appreciate you just as much. Do you hear me?''

He roughly wipes his tears away and nods.

''I can't hear you.''

''Yes,'' He laughs. ''Yes, I hear you.''