I try to be.
Arthur kept repeating those words to himself. He knew that sentiment well. God, he’d been experiencing the very same thing for over thirty years, hadn’t he? He had beentryingto be happy.
But now . . .
Arthur thought back on the time he’d spent with Jesse flying through the streets of Chicago in his little Albany cutter.
And the time the two of them had eaten lunch together in the carriage.
He thought about the fun he’d had with Emma and Jesse in the print shop.
And the pride he had felt while visiting the Woman’s Building with Emma.
He thought about when he’d brought everyone to the fair, and how wonderful it had been to spend so much time with people who truly knew him and who liked him for the flawed and silly man that he was.
Last, but not least, he thought about all the times he had spent with Jesse visiting the fairgrounds and how wondrous each and every one of those trips had been.
None of those times had Arthur needed totryto be happy.
He’d simplybeenhappy.
He’d been happy in a way that he hadn’t been throughout most of his life.
Abruptly, Arthur stopped walking and spun on his heel to leave. He only made it two steps before Percy noticed.
“Did you forget something?” Percy asked, looking back over his shoulder.
Arthur turned to face him, barely holding back a chuckle from Percy’s choice of words.
“Almost,” he replied.
Percy tilted his head in confusion, but Arthur began walking away.
“Alright, well, I’ll meet up with you later, then,” Percy said.
Arthur raised his hand to wave and continued on toward the closest exit.
Finally, Arthur was finishedtryingto be happy. Now, he was ready to simplybe.
***
Behind Mrs. Walsh’s clothing shop, Arthur knocked on the door of Jesse’s place in Bridgeport. Moments later, Jesse answered, his brows knitted together in confusion.
“Don’t tell me the event was that short,” he said.
“It wasn’t,” Arthur replied. “I changed my mind about going.”
Jesse shook his head. “Why?”
Arthur shrugged. “Because I’m tired of being beholden to my parents. I’m tired of sacrificing my happiness and the happiness of those I love in hopes that certain people will eventually be proud of me. God, Jesse, I can’t do it anymore.”
Jesse’s eyes widened. “Oh. What, uhm, what does that mean, then? For you?”
“I’m not sure, exactly,” Arthur said. “Right now, it means that I would like to spend the night with you—the sweet, wonderful man whom I love—rather than spend it trying to impress my parents and the rest of the families from Prairie Avenue. If you’ll let me.”
Jesse’s lips curled into an uncertain smile. “Silly man, of course I’ll let you.”
Jesse took Arthur’s hand and pulled him inside. Once they reached Jesse’s home on the second floor, Jesse pulled him in for a kiss. Arthur immediately hooked his hand behind Jesse’s head to deepen it. When their tongues brushed together, Arthur let out a throaty moan, and his cock began to stiffen,needshooting through his veins. Continuing to kiss, the men made their way to the bedroom, removing clothing as they went. Arthur let his jacket and waistcoat fall to the floor in the living room. Jesse tossed his waistcoat on top of them. Once they were inside the bedroom, Jesse slammed the door shut, and they broke apart with a chuckle.
