“Yes.” They fell silent for a few moments, until Jeremy got up the courage to ask. “The fact I was involved with two people at the same time isn’t too far out of field for you? There’s no rule against it, is there?”
“It didn’t occur to me I needed a rule regarding threesomes,” Harrison teased. “It’s not something I’ve ever been interesting in trying, but I don’t have a problem with it.” He shrugged one shoulder. “I think it’s good you’re so open—to people and experiences. And even if I did have a rule against it, my rules don’t apply to you.”
Jeremy gave a relieved chuckle. “I’m glad to hear you say that, because I swear like a trooper and that’s not about change.”
“Good.” Harrison smiled as he reached out to reclaim Jeremy’s hand. “I like the way you talk. You always seem so free. Like you’re comfortable in your own skin. I’ve never managed that.” Breaking eye contact, he looked down at their entwined fingers. “So, you can say fuck,” he let the word roll leisurely over his tongue, “as often as you like. I don’t mind.”
Jeremy bit into his bottom lip, struggling to stay in his seat. “That was hot.”
Harrison winked. “I have to ask, though. Brady and Trina—were you in love with them?” His gaze was steady, though he made a vain attempt to sound casual as he asked the question. “With either of them?”
With a rueful smile, Jeremy tilted his head to one side. “Would you be jealous?”
“Of people I’ve never met?” Harrison scoffed, before his face deadpanned. “Yes.”
Jeremy laughed again. “Trina pretty much became my best friend overnight when we met and that’s what she’ll always be to me—an amazing friend. We love each other to bits.” He couldn’t even say Trina’s name without feeling happy. Brady, on the other hand… “I could have fallen in love with Brady,” he admitted. “There were real feelings involved. But I left before it could become an issue.”
“Brady was the one who cooked lasagne for you, wasn’t he?” There was a tinge of green to the words. But it wasn’t the kind of green that seethed, like Aaron had been prone to. Instead it saidIf you’re hungry, I want you to be the one to cook for you.
“Yes.”
Harrison nodded. “Did he love you?”
“In a way. But Brady’s heart beats only for Trina. I wouldn’t ever change that, even if I could.” He sat back, taking a deep breath. “My time with them was the best thing in the world for me, but leaving when I did was also for the best.” He spread his arms to signal the end of his tale. “Thatwas my first act of self-care.”
Harrison fell back against his chair with a sigh, as if he’d been released from a trance. “Good for you.”
“I thought so, too.” He gave a laugh, releasing the emotional tension the conversation had brought up.
“So, are you actually bisexual?”
“No.” Jeremy shook his head. “I’ve had sex with a few women in my time. Honestly, I would’ve had to be dead not to want to have sex with Trina. But, I’ve never wanted to have a real relationship with a woman.Myheart,” he added, emphasising the words with a hand over his chest, “beats solely for men.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“What about you?” Jeremy asked before emptying his water glass. “Have you ever had sex with a woman?”
Harrison shook his head. “Never. I made out with some girls when I was a teenager. I already knew I was attracted to boys but, I wanted to test myself I suppose, to see if I felt anything with a girl.”
“And did you?”
“Not so much. I gave up after a while. Got comfortable with the truth. Told my aunty and uncle. That was it. My not-so-great love affair with the feminine half of the species came to an end.” His lips tilted in a self-deprecating way. “I’m pretty sure they don’t miss me.”
“How did your aunty and uncle take it?”
“They were shocked at first. With everything else that was going on, I don’t think they had a clue. But they were glad I’d told them and then, before I knew it, the whole thing was a non-issue.” A moment later he added, “Except the part where my aunty has started trying to set me up with guys.”
“That’s awesome,” Jeremy said. “The first part, I mean. Not the part about your aunty setting you up. I don’t like that part.”
“Don’t worry.” Harrison seemed pleased with Jeremy’s displeasure. “I haven’t taken her up on any of her offers. Now, what about you? How did your family react when you came out?”
“I never had to come out,” Jeremy said, shaking his head. “You might not realise this about me, but I’m a pretty obvious person for the most part.”
Harrison’s jaw dropped. “No, really? I’m shocked.”
“I know, right?” Jeremy waggled his eyebrows, laughing. “Anyway, I think my parents figured it out before I did. My mum was the one who explained it to Anna, so she never understood why anyone would have a problem with it.”
“Wow. Your parents are great.”
“Yeah, they are.” Jeremy lifted his cup in a toasting gesture. “Here’s to fabulous parents. And thank God we had them.”
Harrison went still for a moment before lifting his glass to join in Jeremy’s toast. But he didn’t drink.
