KnotMyProblem: Yeah, I did. I was a part of it.
KnotMyProblem: listen
KnotMyProblem: I’m an outsider to the situation. You’re being blinded by your emotions and excusing things that shouldn’t be excused. TD, I’mworriedabout you. If he’s comfortable enough to invade your privacy like that, then what else is he going to do to you? This is a guy who made you wait almost five years for him to get his shit together before he came back into your life… a guy who had you convinced that if you told him about Bo, the world would end
That wasn’t the truth. Aaron had never made him feel afraid about revealing Bo’s existence—Gage had kept it a secret because he believed in Aaron, and he believed in their future together. His sacrifice meant that Aaron had achieved his dreams and completed his studies, cementing the future of his career. Financial independence outside of their families was important for both of them—the last few torturous years of Gage’s life had proven it. It was important they have the finances to make a family work on their own.
KnotMyProblem didn’t have a clue about what was best for him, or Aaron, or their family. He didn’t have a clue about what Gage had been through, or the circumstances behind his complex relationship with Aaron.
KnotMyProblem: He’s brainwashed you. He preyed on you when you were a young teenager, twisted your developing mind, knocked you up, then made sure that you’d stay loyal to him no matter what kind of shit he decided to pull. And look at what’s happening now. He’s wronged you, and you’re blaming ME for his behavior. I’m scared for you, TD. That’s not fucking right.
Gage’s shoulders trembled.
TeenDad2: I am just…
TeenDad2: I’m so angry at you right now.
TeenDad2: How dare you say that??? You’ve never even met me! You’ve never met him! Just
TeenDad2: it’s not your business. Drop it, okay? Let me go on with my life. I’ll worry about whether I’m being brainwashed or not. It’s not your place.
KnotMyProblem: I’m legitimately worried about your physical and mental wellbeing
Gage set his phone down and tugged at his hair, frustrated beyond belief. Irritation prickled his skin. If Knot had been in the room, he would have started to shake him. Why couldn’t he get it through his head that everything was fine? The situation was the problem, not Aaron’s behavior as a whole. If Knot was so concerned, why wouldn’t he have asked Gwynn to check up on him? Instead, he’d taken matters into his own hands and passed judgment without thorough investigation. Gage knew that was the case. If Knot would stop to listen to what he had to say, he’d understand. But it was a waste of time trying to convince him that Aaron wasn’t dangerous—time Gage didn’t have. Right now, Gage’s priority was tracking down Aaron so he could explain what had happened. Without communication, nothing would ever be fixed. Gage couldn’t let that happen.
TeenDad2: Okay. Fine. Be worried. Listen, I need to go find Aaron and explain what’s going on. I’m not going to argue with you anymore. You can think what you want to think, and that’s okay. Meanwhile, I’m going to go make things right and keep on living my life. Thank you for being concerned, I guess, but it’s not necessary. I hope that in a few days, when both of us are in a better place emotionally and mentally, we can work this out and still be friends.
KnotMyProblem: fuck, TD, so now we’re not friends anymore? Are you going to let him do this to the SDSG? We’re losing you just like we lost Gwynn.
That was an issue Gage would work out another day. KnotMyProblem was trying to get him to keep engaging with the conversation, but Gage wouldn’t entertain him. He had more important things to do.
TeenDad2: Goodnight, Knot.
His phone buzzed several times—messages from KnotMyProblem, without a doubt—but Gage didn’t bother to check them. He exited the chat program, killed his notifications, and did the only thing he could think to do.
He called Aaron.
Nothing was going to be solved if he shrank into himself and hid from the world. For the first time since he’d moved out of his parents’ house, Gage had the agency to fix his problems. He had no rent to pay, no utilities to worry about, no groceries to afford, and no crushing medical expenses looming in his future. The last year and a half had taught him the frustration of being muzzled by poverty and prevented from taking action because he couldn’t afford to do what he needed in order to make things right.
That wasn’t the case anymore. The situation didn’t need his money, only his time, and he had that in abundance. Nothing was holding him back.
Gage’s hand trembled as he held his phone to his ear. The conversation he was about to have would be difficult, but it was necessary. Aaron needed to know the truth.
This time, Gage didn’t think he’d be so easily forgiven.
Gage held the phone to his ear, waiting for the call to connect, but it never did—it cut straight to voicemail. Aaron had turned off his phone. He wasn’t interested in listening to what Gage had to say.
There was a chance, no matter how small, that Aaron would never speak to him again. Gage lowered the phone from his ear and hung up before the voicemail message ended.
He had a choice to make.
He could spend his night chasing after the man who owned his heart—the man he’d wronged, and who might want no part of his future anymore—or he could focus on making sure he and Bo never suffered this pain again. Nothing muzzled him anymore. Aaron had earned his PhD and found a fantastic job. The dream he’d spun when their love was young had been accomplished.
Gage had nothing left to hide, but so much more to lose.
He couldn’t go after Aaron. There was no point. Right now, Bo needed him to focus on the bigger picture.
A concealed truth had ruined his relationship with the love of his life and deprived his son of his father—Gage refused to let it destroy what few bonds he and Bo had left.
