“Just be nice tome,” Joshua said with a soft smile. “Trent can take care of himself.”
After dinner,Joshua handed out daily schedules for Camp Pride and brought everyone up to speed on their progress. He also handed out several legal papers that the counselors had to sign. “Get those back to me as soon as you can. At this point, the schedules look fairly tight, and we’re on track for everything else. David, what’s the story on the UVA grant? Is there any progress? Time’s getting short. Camp starts in less than a month.”
“I’m presenting it to the Board of Visitors this week. I’ve been privately polling the members, and it’s almost guaranteed to pass, Josh. You should have your grant money fairly soon, possibly next week. And I’m urging them to up the ante and give you the whole ten grand.”
“My god, David, that would be wonderful!”
“Well, it’s not a done deal, but it’s looking good. I’ll let you know as soon as I have a definite answer.”
“Great work, Professor,” Colin crowed.
As the doorclosed behind their guests, Colin let out a long breath. The evening had been productive, but his unease about Trent’s revelations still filled his mind. He led Joshua to the couch, where they sat, relaxing and discussing the evening. “Did Trent tell you about Jeff’s health issues?” Colin asked.
“Jeff told me.”
“That fucking job is going to kill him.”
“He told me he’s not going to take any more overtime. That should make Trent happy.”
“That’s not the only thing bothering Trent.”
Joshua turned toward him, curiosity evident in his gaze.
“Trent wants to get married.”
“And Jeff doesn’t?”
“Josh, I hope to hell I’m wrong, but I don’t think Jeff willeverwant to get married.”
“Adam? Is itstillAdam?”
“My darling boy, in my opinion, it willalwaysbe Adam.”
“Hm.”
“Jeff thinks he’s let Adam go. But …”
“You don’t think he has?”
“I’m not sure hecan,” Colin stated, his voice a monotone.
Colin took Joshua’s hand and kissed it. For a long time, they sat in silence, each lost in their thoughts. “I think …” Colin said at last, “…that Adam was Jeff’s…” He shot a glance at Joshua. “…Colin.”
Joshua winced. The words sank in with the weight of a stone. His husband didn’t need to elaborate—Joshua knew exactly what he meant.
“If anything happened to me …” Colin trailed off, his eyes locked on Joshua’s. “Could you letmego? Enough that you could marry someoneelse?”
“God, honey, I don’t know. I doubt it.”
“I think, in his mind, Jeff wants to marry Trent. I know he adores him. But I think a piece of his heart is still married to Adam.”
“Theyweren’tmarried, were they?”
“Jeff and Adam? No. It wasn’t legal back then. But they were married in every way that counts.”
“My god. Poor Trent.”
“I know this: Trent won’t sit on the back burner forever. He’s a proud man. Jeff will have to make a choice sooner or later: marry Trent or let him go.”
