I ran my palm over my face and sighed. Wyatt didn’t even know I was gay. As far as he was concerned, I was a happy, straight man who had gotten a divorce because I wasn’t in love with Liv. Construction sites weren’t known for their inclusiveness, even in a city like New Gothenburg. But Wyatt had been a good friend since the beginning of our careers.
“Come with me,” I said gruffly, gesturing to the trailer. Turning toward Jim farther over, I yelled loud enough for him to hear, “Jim! Wyatt and I need to have a meeting in the office. Can you take over for ten?”
Jim nodded and tipped his yellow hard hat at me. “Sure, Boss. I got it handled.”
I gave him a strained smile in thanks and led Wyatt into the cramped trailer—small for men who had the width and height we did. We took a seat at the table we usually used for meetings with important guests, and when I was settled, Wyatt gave me an expectant look.
“Well? You know my relationship problems. At least tell me what’s wrong with you.”
I snorted. If only it was that easy. The last thing I wanted was for my men to stop taking my orders seriously because they didn’t like my sexuality, especially Wyatt, who’d been at my side for so long. I couldn’t imagine a project without him.
“Is it Liv? Or the kids?” he asked.
I ran a hand through my hair and sighed, gazing over his shoulder at the once fresh flowers sitting on the small kitchenette counter. They’d been alive a few days ago, bright and vibrant. Now the blooms were wilted, petals scattered around their glass vase, which I’d forgotten to fill with water. Liv had given them to me to lend the office a homey vibe, but I could never keep those kinds of things alive. It was the same as my relationships. The few men I’d dated whowereinterested in primal play hadn’t lasted long. There was always something missing and I’d grown bored.
“No. They’re fine,” I said, remembering the question he’d asked. “Although, Addy’s temporarily kicked out of summer camp.”
Wyatt let out a wolfish laugh and threw his head back, his hand patting his stomach until he had tears in his eyes. He wiped at them, still chuckling. “God, I love that kid. What did she do?”
I shook my head and pinched the bridge of my nose. “She kicked a boy in his nuts after he said the F-word that’s insulting to gay men.” I peeked at him carefully. If there was any time I could judge Wyatt’s reaction about homosexuality, it was now.
He grunted. “Sounds like the little prick deserved it. Good for her.” He rapped his knuckles on the table, like he sometimes did randomly. “Is that what’s upsetting you? Her getting into it with other kids?”
“No, believe it or not.” I chuckled and leaned back into the leather chair. Concern struck me in the chest as I thought about telling him the truth and carded through all the scenarios in my head of how things would pan out once he knew. But I’d promised I’d be true to myself, if not for me, for my children. They deserved to be who they wanted, without worrying about what other people thought. “I’m gay.”
Wyatt blinked at me for a long, drawn-out moment, before his expression changed into a frown. “But you were married to Olivia.”
“Yes, but that was what made me realize I couldn’t hide who I was.” I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table between us. “I told Liv the truth, that I was attracted to men, and she told me she was glad to hear that because she realized she only saw me as a friend. That’s why we divorced amicably.” I shrugged, fear stopping me from looking at him. I focused on my hands instead. “Liv’s my best friend and nothing’s going to change that. She’s had my back from the start.”
The silence was deafening, and I finally raised my chin, expecting a fight to defend my sexuality against one of my best friends, except I found Wyatt smiling. A big, toothy grin that had me frowning because I’d never seen anything like that on his face.
“What?” I asked, stunned.
He fell into another bout of laughter, this time leaning forward with his head in his hands. I stayed there, paralyzed, until he finally quieted down.
“I’m glad my sexuality is funny to you,” I growled out in irritation.
“No, no.” He shook his head and held up his hands to me in a peace offering. “I’m just shocked, and happy for you. I don’t care who you fuck behind closed doors.” He reached over and slapped my shoulder with his massive paw. “Have I ever given you the impression I’m a narrow-minded asshole?”
“No.”
“Then why do you think I care you’re gay?” He crossed his arms, and his blue plaid shirt stretched over his muscles. “So, what’s the issue? Being into dudes clearly isn’t what’s giving you trouble.”
I groaned at his grin and sighed. “There’s this guy—”
“Ah. Relationships. A real thorn in the ass.” He waved his hand. “Continue.”
I mock glared at him. “There’s this guy, Mark, who I like. We’ve been having sex and he’s into it. I’m into it. It’s fucking amazing, but he keeps running.”
“As in doesn’t-want-to-be-in-a-relationship running, or…?”
I winced. Telling Wyatt I was gay was one thing; the next level of uncomfortable was about to come. “I’m into this… game. I’m not going to tell you what it is.” Glaring when he opened his mouth to ask, I continued. “He has a safeword and he doesn’t use it. It’s obvious he likes what we’re doing. But last night he disappeared before I woke up. Said he was going to stay the night but didn’t.”
“Hm.” Wyatt smirked. “Sounds like he wants you to chase him.”
If only he knew. “But how much chasing does he want before he says enough?”
He laughed. “Well, whatever this game is, he hasn’t said the safeword, right? Doesn’t that count for something? If he didn’t want it, he would have tapped out.”
