The Swede

by Maureen Smith

  “I have. They told me you’re not speaking to Dad. It’s really upsetting him—”

  “That’s what you’re worried about? Dad’s hurt feelings? What about Lennox’s?”

  Luke huffed an impatient breath. “What do you want me to say, Scarlett? Lennox knows how Dad feels about these things. He knew what would happen if he ever found out—”

  “Are you condoning Dad’s behavior?” Scarlett said in a low, seething voice. “He practically disowned Lennox for being gay. And not even for religious reasons. It’s all about his macho pride and rigid expectations. That’s it. Nothing more.”

  Luke frowned at her. “Look, I may not be as close to Lennox as you are. But we’re still brothers and we’ve always trusted each other. I’m hurt that he never confided in me.”

  “He never confided in me either, Luke,” Scarlett said quietly. “And, yeah, it hurt like hell. But he had his reasons, and we both have to respect that.”

  “Well, whatever his reasons were,” Luke grumbled resentfully, “the fact remains that he shut me out. So it’s hard for me to feel obligated to intervene on his behalf. This is between him and Dad. I don’t think I should get in the middle of it.”

  “Yes, God forbid you should take a stand and risk your status as the favored heir,” Scarlett said sarcastically.

  “Why the hell should I?” Luke challenged. “Dad and I have a great relationship. He taught me everything he knows about engineering, and he’s helping me climb the ranks at Boeing. It would be foolish of me to cut him off just because he doesn’t approve of our brother’s alternative lifestyle.”

  Scarlett gave him a disbelieving look. “Do you ever think about anyone but yourself?”

  He scowled at her. “I’m here, aren’t I? Ana and I had plans this eve—”

  “Get over yourself, Luke.” Scarlett walked away and left him standing there.

  Viggo, Reid, Nadia, Nelson, Bianca and Leilani were talking and laughing by the fireplace. As Scarlett joined them, Viggo flashed her a wink and a reassuring smile.

  When Lennox and Cooper walked through the door, all conversations ceased and all eyes turned to Lavell.

  Glancing toward the doorway, he froze at the sight of his son standing there with his boyfriend.

  As his face hardened with outrage, he looked around the room. “What the hell is this?”

  No one spoke as his accusing glare landed on his wife. “Is this some kind of intervention?”

  “No, Lavell—”

  “Did you summon everyone here to gang up on me? Is that what this is? An ambush?”

  “No, darling—”

  “Because I won’t be disrespected in my own goddamn home!” he thundered, making his wife wince with guilt. “How dare you—”

  “Lavell,” a deep voice cut through his tirade.

  He whipped his head around to stare at his twin brother.

  Uncle Lincoln spread his hands in an imploring gesture. “Just hear what the boy has to say. Give him that much.”

  Lavell clenched his jaw hard and swept an angry glance around the silent room. He looked like a cornered bear.

  Although they weren’t touching, Scarlett could feel the tension in Viggo’s body and see it in the rigid set of his jaw. Then his hand went around her waist, pulling her to his side. And she realized that he was protecting her.

  When her father stalked to the corner of the room and sat down, there was a collective sigh of relief.

  Everyone took seats around the room while Lennox walked to the center, facing them as he began speaking.

  “Thank you all for meeting me here tonight, especially on such short notice.” He sounded slightly nervous. “I gathered all of you here because you matter to me, and I’ve been lying to you for a long time. So I want to set the record straight once and for all.”

  He paused to glance around at the family pictures adorning the wall and fireplace mantel. “I have so many fond memories of growing up in this house. I couldn’t have asked for a better childhood or a more loving family. The Warners have always stuck together through thick and thin, through triumph and adversity. We’ve always had one another’s backs no matter what. I’m hoping that won’t ever change.”

  Scarlett’s throat tightened as a single hot tear trickled out of the corner of her eye. She swiped it away and gave her brother an encouraging smile.

  He returned her smile before looking around at the faces staring back at him. “I’ve often thought of what this day would be like. The day I came out to my family. I’ve imagined so many different scenarios, and I hoped to someday find the courage to stand before you all and tell you the truth. But the thought of it sent me into a blind panic,” he admitted, meeting his father’s eyes. “I was so afraid of disappointing you. So afraid of incurring your wrath. So afraid of suffering your rejection. So afraid of losing your love.” His voice hitched with emotion before he continued huskily, “Fear has kept me silent for so long. Fear and shame. And it’s been a living hell.”

  His father stared back at him, his face cold and expressionless.

  Lennox swallowed hard and forged ahead. “When Cooper moved in with me last year, I didn’t want any of you to find out and start putting two and two together. The only one who knew was Scarlett. I couldn’t really keep it from her because she was always dropping by,” he added with wry humor. “She claimed she just wanted to hang out and spend time with me. But I think she really just needed a break from Mom.”

  Warm laughter swept around the room as his mother sputtered, feigning affront. Scarlett blew her a kiss and winked, drawing more laughs.

  Lennox waited for the room to grow quiet before he continued. “So Scarlett knew that Cooper and I were living together. But I asked her not to tell anyone because I didn’t want you guys getting the ‘wrong idea.’ She didn’t ask questions. She’s never asked questions.” His eyes met hers. “Because she’s always just…known.”

  Scarlett gave him a soft smile.

  He smiled back at her before shifting his gaze to their tight-jawed father. “I didn’t want you to find out the way you did. When you guys walked in on me and Cooper that day, it forced my hand. And maybe that was a blessing in disguise.”

  He paused and nodded to Cooper.

  Everyone watched as Cooper got up and went to stand beside Lennox. He looked a little nervous, but there was pride shining in his eyes as he returned Lennox’s tender gaze.

  “I love you, Cooper,” Lennox said, loud and clear enough for everyone to hear. “I’m truly sorry that my lies and denials have hurt you, but I promise that those days are behind us.”

  Cooper just nodded and smiled, blinking away tears.

  Lennox turned back to the group with a steely stare. “I’m done lying and hiding. This is who I am. What you do with that information is entirely up to you. I’m a gay man.” He paused, letting that declaration resonate around the room before he continued, “If you decide my sexual orientation is too much for you to accept, that’s your decision. My life will go on—” He met his father’s eyes “—with or without you.”

  Lavell’s face was a stony mask that revealed absolutely nothing.

  Lennox faltered briefly, then turned to Cooper at his side. “We’re best friends and lovers, and soon we’re going to be business partners. Maybe one day when we’re both ready, we’ll become life partners as well.”

  Cooper gave him a rapturous smile. “Nothing would make me happier.”

  Lennox beamed and stood even taller.

  Abruptly his father got up and walked out of the room.

  Lennox watched him go, his face crumpling with despair.

  Scarlett blinked back tears of pain and frustration.

  In the wake of their father’s departure, a heavy silence fell over the room. Everyone’s disappointment was palpable.

  Sherise gave Lennox a heartbroken look and stood up. “I’ll go talk to—”

  Suddenly Lavell came marching back into the room, his jaw set with determination as he ch
arged toward his son.

  A look of wary surprise crossed Lennox’s face. “Dad—”

  Lavell hauled him into his arms, wrapping him in a fiercely powerful hug. As Lennox broke down in tears and hugged his father back, Scarlett let out a choked sob.

  When Viggo put his arm around her, she turned and buried her face in his chest, weeping tears of relief and joy.

  Chapter 31

  Scarlett

  What Doesn’t Kill You

  * * *

  “Are you sitting down?” Cara demanded excitedly when Scarlett answered her phone three days later.

  She’d gone to work that morning, but her boss sent her home after four hours because the shop was dead and he didn’t like paying employees to just stand around. Her bandmates had been out clubbing last night and were sleeping off a hangover, so rehearsing wasn’t an option.

  She’d just gotten home when Viggo returned from practice and a team workout. After they ate lunch, he’d peeled off her prim work uniform and made slow love to her, touching and savoring every part of her. Afterward they’d taken a leisurely shower, nuzzling and laughing between kisses. And now they were just lazing around the living room, drinking hard cider and trying to decide what to watch on Netflix. He still refused to watch Vikings with her. Silly man.

  “Yes, I’m sitting down,” Scarlett told Cara when Viggo got up to take a leak. “What’s up?”

  “I have some amazing news.” Cara paused. “God, I love saying that.”

  “And I love hearing it,” Scarlett said with a grin. “What’s your news?”

  “Okay. So I’ve mentioned before that I have a friend who works at Essence magazine—”

  “Debra, right?”

  “Right. So a few months ago over lunch, she told me that they’re doing an issue featuring hot young female stars in the music industry. They’re calling it the ‘Black Girls Who Rock’ issue. Get it? It’s a play on the Black Girls Rock! movement—”

  Scarlett grinned. “I got it.”

  “Of course.” Cara laughed. “Anyway, Debra told the editor about you, and she was super impressed. So now they want to feature you on the cover with Janelle Monáe, Solange, Sevyn Streeter, Justine Skye and Sza!”

  “Holy shit!” Scarlett exclaimed, bolting upright in the chair. “I love those chicks!”

  “I know! That’s what I told Debra!”

  Scarlett was almost hyperventilating with excitement. “I am totally gonna be fangirling at that photo shoot!”

  “I know you will,” Cara teased. “And you’ll be pleased to know that Janelle has heard your music and happens to be a fan.”

  “No way! Seriously?”

  “That’s what Debra told me.”

  Scarlett squeed in Cara’s ear, making her laugh.

  “I’m sending you the bill for my busted eardrum.”

  Scarlett laughed as Viggo came out of the bathroom tying the drawstring of his lounge pants and shaking his head at her.

  “Out here squealing like a damn girl.”

  She poked her tongue out at him as he headed into the kitchen, broad shoulders swaying.

  Cara announced, “And now for the really big news—”

  Scarlett laughed. “Bigger than appearing in Essence with Janelle Monáe?”

  “I think so.” Cara was giddy. “I just got a call from an editor at GQ. They have a photo shoot scheduled with Viggo in a few weeks. Now that your romance with him has become such a hot topic, they want to do a separate spread featuring the two of you.”

  Scarlett was stunned. “Are you serious?”

  “Totally!” Cara crowed.

  “Wow.” Scarlett looked up as Viggo came back into the living room. He stopped before her and held up a bag of Swedish Fish, his lips quirked on one side.

  She grinned, snatching the bag from him and ripping it open.

  Chuckling, he sat on the floor between her legs, spreading her knees wide with his mammoth shoulders. She crammed some Swedish Fish into her mouth and fed him a few pieces, then plunged her fingers into his thick hair.

  “This GQ spread is a great way to capitalize on your relationship with one of the hottest NHL players,” Cara was excitedly chattering away. “Like I told you before, the publicity can only help the band’s sales and popularity.”

  “Uh-huh,” Scarlett mumbled around the mouthful of candy. Wedging her phone between her shoulder and ear, she began cornrowing Viggo’s hair, the strands sliding between her fingers like heavy silk.

  Cara was practically doing cartwheels through the phone. “Isn’t this fucking awesome?”

  “Um, yeah, I guess.”

  “What do you mean you ‘guess’?” Cara was scandalized by her lack of enthusiasm. “This is GQ we’re talking about!”

  “I know. And I mean, yeah, it’s definitely great exposure. But Iggy Azalea and Nick Young had a GQ spread and look how their relationship turned out. I don’t know. Maybe the magazine thing sorta jinxed them.”

  Cara snort-laughed. “Nick Young cheated on Iggy and bragged about it to a teammate. Are you worried about Viggo cheating on you?”

  “Um…”

  Viggo tipped his head back to stare up at her.

  “I’m just saying,” she hedged into the phone. “Anything could happen.”

  Viggo’s brows furrowed.

  Feeling guilty, Scarlett bent and kissed him upside down on his soft lips, enjoying the sugary sweetness of the Swedish Fish.

  “As your manager,” Cara said in her no-nonsense voice, “I strongly advise you to seize this golden opportunity to raise your profile and the band’s.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” There was no point arguing. “Does the band have any upcoming publicity ops?”

  “Of course,” Cara assured her. “Now that your tour schedule has been finalized, I’ve got a bunch of interviews lined up, and The FADER wants to do another profile when your new album drops.”

  “Cool,” Scarlett enthused. Her bandmates deserved just as much shine as she did.

  “I’ll be in touch soon with more details about the photo shoots.”

  “Sounds good. Thanks again, Cara. You rock.” Scarlett hung up and dropped the phone beside her on the sofa.

  Viggo squeezed her thigh. “Congratulations. The Essence spread sounds pretty exciting.”

  “Doesn’t it? I’m so stoked!”

  “Clearly.” He chuckled.

  She hesitated, biting her lip. “Did you already know about the GQ thing?”

  “They asked me about it, and I told them to call your manager.”

  Scarlett nodded, braiding another row of his hair. She could feel the sudden tension in his shoulders. Nervously she waited for him to address the elephant in the room.

  “Still waiting for the other shoe to drop, huh?”

  She pretended not to understand. “What do you mean?”

  “You know what I mean.” His voice was low. “You’re still holding back a part of yourself, Scarlett. You don’t think we’re gonna make it.”

  She swallowed hard. “That’s not it.”

  “Then why don’t you wanna do the GQ spread?”

  “I don’t know.” She sighed. “Honestly, the whole thing just feels sorta gimmicky and opportunistic.”

  Viggo gave a slow nod. “My publicist doesn’t want me to do it.”

  Scarlett’s fingers stilled. “Why?”

  “She doesn’t want to risk alienating my female fans.”

  “Ah.” Scarlett’s gaze drifted to the windows. “And what do you think?”

  “I think I’m a hockey player, not some fucking Hollywood heartthrob. All I care about is winning games, not popularity contests.”

  Scarlett stared out at the sprawling city and mountains. “I don’t ever want you to think I’m using our relationship—”

  “I don’t,” he cut her off. “Believe me, sweetheart, if I ever thought you were using me in any way, we wouldn’t be together. That’s one of the reasons I don’t date bunnies.”

  Scarlett sm
iled.

  “Anyway,” he growled, “you’re a gorgeous rock goddess who can have any guy you want. You don’t need a come up. You are the come up.”

  Smile softening, Scarlett kissed the top of his head and mouthed, I love you.

  “Just promise me one thing,” he muttered.

  “What, baby?”

  “Promise me we’ll never call ourselves one of those douchey couple nicknames. Like Scargo or Viggett—”

  Scarlett laughed. “How about Scarleggo? Or Viggolett?”

  He groaned. “Fuck, those are terrible.”

  They started coming up with more ridiculous name combos. When she finished cornrowing his hair, she flopped back against the chair and grabbed the bag of Swedish Fish. “Stand up and turn around so I can see you.”

  Viggo reached up and patted his hair. “You’re done?”

  “Yep.” She grinned. “Let me see how you look.”

  When he stood and turned to face her, she squealed and clapped her hands together. “Oh my God! Now you really look like a Viking!”

  “A Viking?” He gave her a look of skeptical amusement. “With cornrows?”

  “Yes! They wear their hair braided on the show!” She stared up at him, admiring the way the cornrows accentuated his piercing eyes and chiseled face. “Dude, you look so freaking hot. Seriously. You’ve never worn braids before?”

  “Nah.” He chuckled. “I need a mirror.”

  “Wait!” She grabbed her phone. “Let’s take a selfie.”

  “Not so fast,” he joked. “I gotta see how my hair looks first. Can’t have me out here looking like some douche.”

  She laughed. “You don’t look like a douche!”

  “I’ll be the judge of that.”

  As she watched him saunter off toward the bathroom, she made an appreciative purring sound in her throat. “Dat ass, though.”

  He grinned over his shoulder. “Stop objectifying me.”

  She laughed and popped a handful of Swedish Fish into her mouth. As she was happily chewing, her phone rang. She scooped it off the sofa, thinking Cara had forgotten to tell her something.