“I know you briefed over it and I don’t want you to go through it again, but I can see with your face and the way Xander was acting with you at the table says that your injuries are a bit more than what any of us can see. I only ask because FFR- Found Family Ranch- has a thing where we can help cover medical expenses. So, whatever happens and however you’rehurt, I don’t want you to worry about money. We’re going to cover everything for you.”
“I’m not part of the housing, though.” Wright looked out at what he could see over the brick wall. There was a large tree that blocked most of the field behind the house. To the left, he could see the corner of the guest house. He heard birds chirping somewhere in the branches.
“You’re here. You’re part of our family. We’re going to help you, okay? The perk of owning the business is I can make that decision.”
“I’ve waited a long time to hear someone say that,” Wright said. He could feel tears stinging his eyes. He wiped gently at his swollen eye, wincing when he touched it. It was sore and he couldn’t open that eye, but he’d already taken the pain pills for this morning. He’d have to wait and see what the doctor said. He decided to let them fall as they pleased, preferring tears over the pain. “My dad liked to remind me that he was the only family I had. When he got really drunk, he liked to pull out this old rope from his grandfather. He was some sort of farmer or something. He would go on and on about how the men in his family were tough and worked hard. How I was a disappointment to him and a shameful spot in our family tree.”
“I’m so sorry,” William said. He put his legs back down and reached over to lay a hand on Wright’s knee. “I hate that you went through all of that, but we are going to help you, okay? Now, was there anything that you needed from your house? I saw you kind of in deep thought for a moment when Patrick asked.”
“It’s nothing,” Wright said. “It’s just a stuffed animal that my mom gave me when I was little. I should just let that whole part of my life go.”
“We can get your things if you want,” William said. “We have several friends in the law enforcement that will go with you. Just let me know, okay?”
“Thank you,” Wright said lowly. “I don’t know how my dad mistook this place for a conversion camp, but I’m glad he did.”
“Is that where he thought he was dropping you off?” William’s hand squeezed his knee before letting go. His hand was nowhere as large as Xander’s, the weight of it felt off. “Our website is pretty basic to keep privacy but it’s clear what we stand for.”
“I don’t know.” Wright shrugged. He shifted his weight; sitting in a metal chair was starting to irritate his back. “He didn’t say how he found it but I assume he just Googled gay camp or something on my phone and went with the first place. Or the closest so he could keep an eye on me. I don’t know if he’ll come back here to check up or if he’ll just leave me here and forget. Is it bad that I’m hoping for the latter?”
“Not at all,” William said with a smile. “I think you would relate talking to Brett. He’s basically the manager of this place. He’ll be back next week. Him and his husband were here yesterday, but they just adopted a little boy last week so he’s at home acclimating to being a dad now.”
“Is everyone here gay?”
William laughed at the question. He hadn’t meant to say it out loud, but he couldn’t take it back. He started to apologize, but William spoke first. “Patrick’s daughter is bisexual if that makes a difference. She’s very open about it and has had both boyfriends and girlfriends. She’s about to graduate high school. Super cool kid. They’ll be home from school in a few hours so you’ll meet them eventually.”
“Knock, knock.” Xander’s face appeared through the door and Wright smiled the moment he saw him. He smiled back and stepped toward him, holding out his hand. “Are you about readyto go? We’ll be taking Patrick’s truck since it’s a bit smoother drive than mine.”
Wright took his hand and nodded. He turned back to William. “It was nice talking to you. Thank you, for everything.”
“Not a problem,” William said. He stood up with them and Wright offered him an awkward side hug. He was ready to get this makeshift wrap off him. “And we’ll run to the house while you’re out to get those clothes. Do you have a preference on what you like to wear? Long sleeves, shorts, anything?”
“I’m not picky,” Wright said. “I didn’t really get a say in what was bought for me once I started growing. It was mostly thrifting store items.”
“I’ll bring you a smorgasbord of clothes then and you can pick what you like.” William looked at Xander and then back to Wright and winked. “I’m sure Xander wouldn’t mind taking you to the store to get you your own boxers and such today.”
“You’re a menace,” Xander muttered. “Let’s get going, okay?”
“I feel like there’s a story behind that,” Wright said with a smile. William laughed as they stepped back into the house.
“There is so a story behind that, but you’ll have to get him drunk before he tells you anything.”
Wright didn’t mean to, wasn’t even aware that he’d stiffened up and stopped walking until Xander’s front was pressed against his back. The sudden contact had Wright flinching and his mind kicked into the flight side of his fight-or-flight. He stepped too quickly in reaction and tripped over his own feet. Hands reached out for him and he heard someone scream.
It was only after the noise faded and he felt his throat scratchy that he realized he’d been the one to scream. When he opened his eyes again, he was somehow on the couch. Xander was standing by the French doors and William knelt in front of him. Not touching, just watching. Worried.
“Hey, you’re okay. You’re safe here. Just breathe.” Wright tried to focus on William’s words. He closed his good eye and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, William looked to the side. At Xander. He had his hands in his pockets and looked lost.
“I’m sorry,” Wright said. He took another deep breath and sat up straighter, his shoulder tinging at the stretch. His ribs were aching too at the sudden movement. He wasn’t sure if he’d fallen to the couch or what, but his body hurt. Xander was by his side in an instant. “I’m sorry,” Wright whispered again, this time to just Xander. “I don’t know-”
“Don’t worry about it,” Xander said.
“I’m going to go let Patrick know you need a minute,” William said, laying his hand on Xander’s knee to push himself back to a standing position. His eyes moved to Wright. “I’m sorry if it was what I said. I was just giving Xan here a hard time, but I realize that it probably brought up some memories for you.”
William walked out of the room, leaving them alone. Xander’s fingers were brushing against the back of his neck, a movement he’d done several times since they met. It grounded Wright. He was grateful for it. “Can you tell me what happened?”
“I don’t know,” Wright said. He looked down at his hand. His other was still tucked under the shirt. He fiddled with the hem of it while he collected his thoughts. “What William said made me picture my dad, when he would drink and the things he’d say after a few beers.” It made sense, seeing that he had just finished telling William about it. It was an innocent joke, nothing that he should apologize for. At any other moment or circumstance, Wright probably would have carried the joke further. “Then you were right there and I got scared.”
Xander didn’t say anything and Wright didn’t look at him. He didn’t want to see judgment or pity in his eyes. After a moment,Wright felt warm lips press against the side of his head. He didn’t move, didn’t want to pull away. He wanted to stay in that moment. Even with the pain in his eye and his ribs, all he could focus on was that slight pressure against his skin.
