Ben shook his head. “Danny’s good at what he does—don’t get me wrong—but he’s such a flamer.” He scowled. “I’m just not that big on guys who make it real obvious they’re gay.”
Having seen Ben at the Jungle when he was pretty much full-on, Tommy found this more than a little ironic, but he bit his lip and kept quiet.
Ben studied him for a moment. “So, you gonna tell me what happened? ’Cause you didn’t say a right lot last night.”
Tommy sighed. “That’s prob’ly ’cause there ain’t that much to tell.” It still hurt to think about the whole hateful episode. Now and again during the journey back to Atlanta, he’d had to pull over when the tears came. He’d sat by the side of the road, shaking, wiping his eyes, and feeling like a total loser.
Guess it was still sinkin’ in.I mean, it’s not every day your family kicks the shit out of you, psychologically speakin’.
“Well, you might wanna start with how you managed to get that black eye, for one.”
Ben stretched out his hand and touched it tentatively with his fingertips. Tommy winced, and Ben withdrew instantly.Tommy drank a few mouthfuls of coffee, inhaled deeply, and then told Ben everything. His roommate’s eyes grew wide with incredulity, and he shook his head, his fingers curling in the sheets. When Tommy was finished, Ben stared at him openmouthed.
“Well, shit.”
“That about sums it up, all right,” Tommy said morosely. He shook his head. “What I can’t get over is them tellin’ me they love me and then comin’ out with all that….” He huffed. “What ever happened to ‘God is love’?”
“I guess God is love unless you’re gay,” Ben said quietly. “Shit, Tommy, that sounds like it was awful. So what you gonna do now?”
“Well, I s’pose I need to think about my studies. I mean, I was studyin’ organic agriculture so’s I could take over the runnin’ of the farm, for when Daddy wanted to call it a day, but now?” He stared into his half-empty mug. “I need to think about whatIwant to do. Payin’ for my schoolin’ won’t be a problem, not with my college fund and the scholarships. But maybe it’s time to think carefully ’bout what I want my major to be.”
Ben regarded him steadily. “Sounds like you’ve got some decisions to make. Don’t rush that. We’ve got just over a week before the new semester begins. I’m sure Mom and Dad won’t mind you staying here ’til then.” He grinned. “But that’s something to be discussed after this damn party, okay?”
Tommy smiled. “Sure thing.” Just then his stomach growled.
Ben snickered. “Looks like the first order of business is to feed you. When did you eat last?”
Tommy shrugged. He recalled snacking on a couple of bars of chocolate during the journey back to Atlanta, but food had been the last thing on his mind. He was still too churned up to eat when he’d arrived.
“Go grab a shower,” Ben suggested, “and then we’ll get some breakfast into you. We can decide what we’re doing after that.”
Tommy nodded in agreement. Ben got up from the sofa bed, and Tommy caught hold of his arm.
“Thank you,” he said simply.
Ben’s cheeks grew rosy. “What are friends for?” He patted Tommy’s hand and walked into his bedroom. Tommy threw off the sheets and got out of bed. He then straightened them, tucking them in before he folded the bed back into its usual state. A shower would feel really good right then. And maybe things would look a little better with some food inside him.
’Cause Lord knew, they couldn’t look much worse.
“Mercy, what happened to you, Tommy?” Caroline’s eyes grew wide when she caught sight of his face.
“I had a fight with a door in the middle of the night,” Tommy explained weakly. He’d managed to avoid being seen by the family all day, keeping out of sight in the basement, but when Ben’s parents had asked where his guest was hiding, it had been time to show his face.
She arched her finely sculpted eyebrows and pursed her lips, but that was all. Tommy had the distinct feeling she wasn’t buying it, however. Ben’s momma was a smart one.
“Now you boys need to keep out of the way while everyone gets set up for this evening. Danny will be here any minute to do my hair and makeup, and then it won’t be long before the first guests start arriving.”
Every available surface in the kitchen was taken up with platters of party food, along with boxes of wineglasses and cases of wine.
“We still okay to stay downstairs?” Ben asked, helping himself to a large shrimp from a nearby platter on the counter and earning himself a smack on the hand for his efforts. “Ow!”
“Then keep your paws off,” Caroline said with a firm stare. “And what makes you think I don’t expect you to attend, Benson Cardiff Wellington?”
“Mom,” Ben groused.
“It’s your name, so quit complaining. And yes, youwillbe attending the party. Tommy, you can join us if you want.”
“If you don’t mind, ma’am, I’d rather not.” Tommy gestured to his eye. “Not really feelin’ presentable right now.”
