They watched the dogs play as the sun set over the buildings. Pollen spread through his nostrils. Bernard inhaled the scent of fresh-cut grass.
Kelly placed a hand on Bernard’s.
“I’m going to tell you what I see as an outsider,” Kelly said. “Be patient with him. If he has feelings for you beyond lust, let them blossom naturally.”
“Thanks, Kelly.”
They parted ways, and Bernard walked Ginger home.
He sat on the couch watching reruns ofI Love Lucy.Kelly’s words echoed in his mind. Rory flirted with Bernard in his own special way. His reaction when he thought something was going on between him and Kelly. His response when he told him he wondered if there was someone out there for him. Kelly, Sarah, and John noticed. He understood his own feelings, but what were Rory’s? Rory could be the one, but how long would he have to wait? Months? Years? If he dated someone else, that might push Rory away. He didn’t want anyone else. He wanted Rory. Now that he saw what others did, he yearned for him. He had to decide what he needed.
Chapter Eighteen
Rory
Monday, July 6
RORY WOKE UPwith a hard-on. He’d dreamed of Bernard. They held each other on the couch. Bernard kissed him. His soft lips moved down his neck. His touch eased the pain in his heart. Bernard whispered he loved him. His warm embrace gave Rory hope for the future.
Rory and Bernard had spent the last three months hanging out almost every Saturday, and his urges grew stronger.
Bernard almost kissed him. He wanted to feel those lips against his.
I should have gone in for the kiss. He wanted to kiss me, and I wanted to kiss him.
“I need to figure out what I want.”
Rory showered. Bernard mentioned Castro Street in San Francisco, a place for people to explore their sexuality. He’d try to figure things out there.
*
RORY PARKED ANDwalked the streets of Castro. It was a hot morning. The sun beamed on him. Rainbow flags flew throughout the street. He noticed other flags that he did not recognize. One even had a paw on it. People walked up and down the street, dressed in clothes that would not go over well in his church. His eyes wandered around until someone stopped him outside their shop.
“You look lost,” a large man wearing leather said. He was in his fifties, with graying hair, a long thick beard, and toned abs.
“I’ve never been here before,” Rory admitted.
“What are you looking for?” he asked.
Rory didn’t know. He’d been walking down the street in an aimless fashion. “I…I’m not sure,” he said.
“Well, come in, look around, and see if something strikes your fancy.”
Rory entered the shop. The store stocked DVDs and VHS, all with half-naked men on the covers. There were dildos, oils, lubrication, and some leather clothes that matched those of the man outside the store.
“What is this?” He placed his hand on a leather hammock.
“That, my friend, is a sex swing,” the man said.
“A what?”
“Watch.” The man got into the swing. His legs hooked onto the ropes and he lay there, spread eagle. “So, the bottom lies here,” he said. Then he pointed in front of him. “And then the top stands right there. Go ahead, I won’t bite.”
Rory shuffled forward to stand between the man’s legs. He shifted his eyes around. Sweat beaded on his body.
“Oh, wow, umm…” Rory said.
“I see this is not what you’re looking for.” The man got out of the swing. “So, do you have a boyfriend?”
