blossom ↣ joshler ✓

43. Loose

Tyler was sitting on the couch and reading a book while his mother sat beside him folding laundry. He was starting to run out of books that he owned so he hoped Joshua took him to the library again.

He hasn't seen him much the past week due to baseball but he did remember falling asleep in his car last Saturday. He didn't remember anything else but he figured Joshua had carried him to bed which caused him to text him and apologize profusely once he realized this the morning after.

The doorbell rang and Tyler made no move to get it which made a sigh leave Kelly's mouth. "Thanks for offering to get the door."

"You're welcome," he replied distractedly as he flipped the page.

Kelly scoffed and opened the door, a smile instantly overcoming her face. "Hey, John."

Tyler looked up and saw Pastor John kiss her quickly. "Hi, honey," he walked into the house. "You left your wallet at my house last ni— oh, hi Tyler."

Tyler held back a laugh. Joshua was right. "Hello, Pastor John," he smiled.

"How are you doing? How was piano lessons?"

"They were ordinary," he shrugged. "I'm alright myself I assume."

"That's good to hear," he smiled. "How was Josh's game last weekend?"

Tyler couldn't help the his growing smile. "His team lost but he tried the best he could. It was an entertaining activity."

"Tyler sit up your posture is terrible," Kelly told him.

Tyler sighed and sat up more than he was already sitting. "My apologizes, Mother," he spoke, his mood completely flipping.

Pastor John seemed to notice his sudden change in emotion because he spoke up. "I was actually on my way to the church to set things up for tomorrow morning. Do you want to go with me, Tyler? If it's okay with your mom of course."

Kelly's face brightened. "Church! Yes! He can go," she smiled. "Tyler, honey, get your shoes on."

Tyler didn't argue as he set his book down and went over to the shoe rack. Anything to escape his mother.

"We'll probably stop and get dinner before I bring him home. That's okay, right?"

"Yes, of course."

Once Tyler had his shoes on he slipped his jacket on and looked at Pastor John expectantly. "Let's go, bud," he opened the door and turned to Kelly, kissing her again. "Bye," he smiled.

"Bye, John."

He shut the door and once the two started walking out to his car he wanted to gag. "I did not enjoy seeing my pastor kiss my mother," he grimaced as Pastor John unlocked the car and they got in.

Pastor John let out a small laugh. "Sorry."

"Can I ask you a question, Pastor John?"

"Sure."

"What do you see in my mother?"

It almost seemed as if he was expecting this question because he paused for a brief moment before answering. "I know deep down she's a good woman. When I'm with her she can be very funny and kind and she's amazing. I know you don't think this but she does love you and she's trying her best but she just isn't going about it in a healthy way. But her being homophobic no excuse. I'm not validating that at all. I'm sure if she knew you were gay she would have a different outlook on it."

Tyler let out a sigh. "I would not like to see if you are correct or not. I'm perfectly fine with lying to her and not letting her find out until I am stable and independent."

Pastor John let out a laugh. "And that's okay. You don't have to tell her until you're ready but just don't expect the worst. That's all I'm saying."

Tyler let out a hum in response, looking out the window. His eyebrows furrowed when he realized Pastor John wasn't driving towards the church. "Pastor John?"

"Yeah, bud?"

"We aren't making our way towards the church."

"Oh I know. You're not the only one lying to your mom," he replied making Tyler laugh. "We're going to go do something fun because I think you deserve it."

"You don't have to—"

"No but I want to, Tyler," Pastor John said seriously. "I think you're a really good kid and as much as I like your mother she is too overprotective. She needs to let you let loose."

Tyler snorted. "I don't even know how to let loose."

Pastor John smiled. "That's okay. How about we go see a totally R rated movie and then go out for pizza? This place by the movies has really good vegan cheese and gluten free crust."

Tyler smiled back. "I like that plan."

---

Tyler let out a laugh as Pastor John attempted to cut the pizza they had ordered, resulting in a big string of (real) cheese stretching across the rest of the pizza and the slice he was cutting for Tyler.

Upon entering the pizza place Tyler had admitted that he really didn't eat vegan or gluten free when he didn't have to and Pastor John nodded understandingly before ordering them a medium half cheese half pepperoni.

"Thanks for taking me to do things today, Pastor John," Tyler spoke as the mentioned set Tyler's first (and probably only since it was huge) slice on one of the plates he was given.

"Of course, bud," Pastor John smiled. "It's good to see you smile. It's good to see you acting like a teenager."

"Pastor John?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think I'm a terrible person?"

Pastor John gave him an alarmed and worriedly look. "Not at all. Why do you ask?"

Tyler sighed. "I don't know. I'm not feeling the best about myself right now. I feel like an execrable boyfriend. Joshua is always doing the absolute most for me and I couldn't even tell him I loved him when he said it to me the other day."

"Do you? Love him?"

Tyler nodded. "I think so but I'm not sure."

Pastor John shrugged. "That's okay then. If you aren't ready to at least say it then show it. Saying 'I love you' and actually meaning it for the first time, especially in your first relationship, can be very scary. I don't think you're a bad person or a bad boyfriend. You don't have to buy Josh things or try new things that make you uncomfortable just to please him. He likes you for you and that's hard to find. You're both very good for each other, I think. Don't let him go, Tyler," he spoke seriously.

Tyler smiled. "I won't."

"Good."

"Pastor John?"

"Hm?"

"Thanks again."

"Of course, bud."