Jefferson laughs. “Really? What gave us away?”
“Apparently the way we looked at each other. And get this, Henry’s bisexual and is in a relationship with a man and a woman.”
Jefferson’s eyes go wide as he leans forward, picking up his beer, lifting it to his lips and swallowing. My eyes go right to his Adam’s apple, watching it move up, then down with the movement.
“And Alice is seeing a man who’s almost my age. Has been for a year and he’s planning to propose. He just wants my blessing.” I pause, waiting for the even bigger news. “And she’s pregnant. I’m going to be a grandpa. Can you believe it?”
Jefferson smiles brightly, before playfully slapping my knee. “Congratulations, Grandpa. Or are you going to have a cool name?”
“Fuck if I know.” Honestly, the news is still so fresh, but I don’t see myself being called grandpa. I’m far too young and handsome.
“Okay, so the kids know and are okay. You haven’t mentioned your parents.”
My face goes slack. The happiness from sharing the news obliterated with just the mention of them.
“You don’t need to tell me. I can already imagine exactly how your homophobic parents reacted.” He breaks in speaking, eyeing me to make sure I’m okay with what he said. “I know they’re your parents, but they are. I know they can’t stand me. You think I never heard their snide comments when they thought I wasn’t within earshot? Or the way they refused to sit by me when we were in the same room?”
God, I hate that he’s heard what they’ve said about him. I should’ve spoken up when they talked negatively about him, his sexuality. But I didn’t, and for that I’ll forever hate myself. Because in essence, in all those moments, they were not only degrading him, but myself as well.
“I’m sorry.” I don’t realize I’ve said the words out loud until he replies.
“For what?”
“Not being the man, the boyfriend, you needed. Allowing my parents to spew their hate. For hiding who I am and making you feel like you had to do the same.” I take a breath. “When I told them tonight, they told me they would never have a gay for a son. They wanted to find help to cure me and when I told them there was nothing to cure, they informed me I was no longer their son and left.”
“I’m the one who’s sorry. You deserve to have better parents than that. Ones that accept you for who you are. I’m so happy that you finally saw the greatness in yourself that I and everyone else do.”
The tear falls before I can try and force it back. Jefferson reaches out, brushing it away with the pad of his thumb. My hand moves on instinct, grasping his wrist, holding his hand in place.
I’ve missed his touch.
“Do I have a chance of getting back what we had?”
He doesn’t answer me. And my heart explodes into pieces.
Chapter 28
Jefferson
Iwanttosayno.That the effort was put in a little too late. That if he really loved me, he wouldn’t have cared about his family or appearances. But I can’t bring myself to do it. Not when I know the homelife he came from. During our split, I had time to think and really decide if I wouldn't have acted the same way if I were in his position.
There was no answer. I didn't know. I couldn't know without being in the same headspace. No one could unless they were.
Malcolm, with his steel grayish blue eyes that have a delectable blue shimmer, gazes at me. Waiting for the answer I’ve yet to give. The pain, sorrow and hope shining brightly in them.
I don’t know what snaps inside of me, but I’m moving without thinking, my lips crashing down on his, causing him to fall back on the couch, and his beer dropping to the floor is the least of my thoughts.
“The beer,” he mumbles almost incoherently.
“Forget about it,” I growl. “I’ll clean it later. Right now, all I want is for you to be quiet and kiss me.”
My words are all he needs to let go, to become free, opening his mouth to me so my tongue can slip in, caressing his as our kiss deepens. He moans into my mouth and my cock jerks, coming alive hearing the familiar sounds of my lover. My hand moves to his hip, gripping it tightly as I press my body into his.
God, I’ve missed this. Missed him. Breaking up with Malcolm was the hardest thing I ever did. But giving us a second chance? Will it be even more difficult? Fuck, I'm so confused.
Our lips break apart, the weight of the silence between us thick, tense. Our heaving breaths in sync with each other. Malcolm lifts his hand, his fingers toying lazily with my hair. My body shivers enjoying his delicate touch; it’s familiar. His eyes look at me with such longing and pure love.
God, I want this man so badly.
