“I needed to come here. Today, with you. To prove that I could. That I’ve moved forward. And I know I’ll never forget him, but I’ve grown and lived a thousand lives since I was seventeen. I could never hide who I am, but having you by my side makes me stronger than I believed I was.”
Rico cupped his face and brushed their lips together. “It’s not cowardly to be scared and sad. You’re the bravest man I’ve ever met—running into fires, risking your life without a question. It’s not only a turn-on—I’m so damn proud of you. You’re the most amazing man I know, and I’m proud to stand by you and with you to face anything that comes our way.”
One chapter closes and another is written. And while Adam knew a part of Wayne would always be with him, he could finally allow himself the freedom to love someone again. He gazed into Rico’s inscrutable expression, but now Adam could see beyond the hardened exterior into those brown eyes glowing with a mellow rich light.
“You fascinated me from the moment I saw you, and it hurts me to know you’ve been hiding.”
The light in Rico’s eyes faded, and his shoulders drooped. “What can I do? My father—”
“Has no right to keep you from living your life because of his own prejudices.”
“All his life he’s worked toward his dream.”
“Good for him. What’s your dream? That’s what you have to ask yourself. That’s what’s important.”
“You.” Coming from Rico’s lips, the word sounded impassive, but the telltale glitter in his eyes belied that fact.
Before Adam could answer, sunlight spilled into the barn, and they both turned around in surprise to see who it was. At the sight of the man, his stomach tightened.
“What do you want, Garrett?”
The man couldn’t keep his eyes from the ceiling. “I can’t believe you have the nerve to come here again.”
“I told you once before—this is my home, and you’re on my land.”
“You’d keep me from coming here? Where my son…” He faltered, and much as Adam sympathized with any parent losing a child, he placed the blame squarely where it belonged.
“If you had cared about him, he’d still be alive. I know what you did to him and where you planned to send him. He felt he had no choice. You’re his father. You’re supposed to love and care for him no matter what.”
A grayish pallor settled over his face. “I didn’t think he’d kill himself.”
“You never thought about him at all. He wasn’t rough and tough enough for you. You thought you’d make a ‘man’ out of him.” Tears fell from his eyes, and he barely noticed Rico’s arm around him. “But you know what, Garrett? Wayne was more of a man than you’ll ever be. He knew how to love, not hate. We’re leaving, and you need to do the same. I have to lock up.”
But Garrett didn’t seem to hear him and remained rooted to the floor, once again staring at the ceiling. And despite the years of pain and heartbreak, Adam’s heart twisted in a painful knot for the man.
“Garrett,” he said a bit more gently. “It’s time to go.”
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. Shoulders slumped, he walked out ahead of them, and Adam didn’t know if he spoke to him or the ghost of his son. That was a tragedy Garrett Jenkins would carry in his soul the rest of his life.
Without saying good-bye, he and Rico turned and walked back to the house. Before they reached the porch, Rico took him by the shoulder, and they stopped. The expression on his face—fierce yet strangely calm at the same time—made Adam nervous.
“What?”
“I’m going to tell my father.”
Adam’s heart pounded at the declaration. “You are? What happened?”
“Because Wayne shouldn’t have killed himself. No one should ever feel so hopeless because of love. So I need to find my courage and tell my father who I am. For Wayne and everyone else out there like him.”
Again, his eyes welled up with tears. “I love you. And I’ll be proud to stand by your side like you did for me today.”
Rico held on to him. “Thanks. I have a feeling I’m going to need all the help I can get.”
“The only thing I have worth giving you is my heart. I hope that’s enough.”
“It’s everything. More than I ever imagined or hoped for.”
“Let’s go home.”
