Sawyerstared at him intently for a moment, and Beau knew he had something else toadd, so he waited.
“Heneeds to talk to someone. A professional who can help him deal with whathappened to Gavin.”
Beau’seyebrow shot up toward his hairline. He wasn’t sure why Sawyer was telling himthis.
“He’sscared, Beau. And it kills me that I don’t know how to help him. But I told himas much. It may never heal him fully, but he needs to talk to someone.”
Beaunodded his head in agreement. It was logical, something Beau had thought a timeor two. Convincing Ethan to seek professional help probably wasn’t going to beeasy, but he knew if Sawyer had managed to conquer the subject with Ethan, heshould too.
“Thankyou,” Beau found himself saying.
“Forwhat?”
Forsaving his life. For being the reason Ethan was there today.Beaudidn’t speak the words out loud, he simply said, “Just… thank you.” Beau didn’telaborate more before he turned and headed back down the steps.
Withinminutes, he was parked in Ethan’s driveway and not long after, he was takingthe front two steps in one single stride. He didn’t knock on the door beforeletting himself in.
Hefound Ethan standing on the back porch, staring out at the pool and he didn’tpause until he was standing there with him. No words were spoken as he moved upbehind him and wrapped him in the circle of his arms.
Beaurested his forehead against the back of Ethan’s head, holding him while Ethanshook in his arms. He wasn’t crying, but Beau knew the emotion he had bottledup all these years was trying to escape. He was a pressure cooker, ready toblow its lid from everything that continued to build.
Ethan’shands came up and latched tightly onto Beau’s arms where they rested againstEthan’s chest. For long minutes they just stood there, the chilly windsskirting around them, the night sky darkening even more as time moved forward.Beau was fine with this for now. He knew Ethan was processing everything thatwas happening, and he didn’t want to rush him. Despite Ethan’s ability to keepthings locked inside, Beau knew Ethan had begun to open up. It was slow going,but the forward momentum was there. Beau would just have to ride it out.
“Whatdo you think people will say when they find out about us?” Ethan asked,surprising Beau with both the question and the conviction in his voice.
Thetopic was one that Beau, quite frankly, never expected to address directly withEthan. At least not with Ethan being the one to bring it up. A shimmer of hopelit up inside of his chest. Did that mean Ethan was willing to give them achance? A real shot at a relationship?
“Theywill think what they want, E. But I don’t care whattheythink,” Beauanswered honestly. “I only care whatyouthink.”
“Thisis going to be hard on my family,” Ethan mumbled.
“Why?It’s not like they don’t know.” Beau asked, trying to hide his defensiveresponse. He knew Ethan’s family personally. They would rally together andsupport Ethan no matter what.
“Theyshouldn’t have to deal with the bullshit,” Ethan said softly, surprising Beauwhen he didn’t even move.
“Yourfamily is going to support any decision you make,” Beau said matter-of-factly,his hopes soaring despite the bleakness of Ethan’s statement. “Don’tunderestimate them, E. You come from a strong, resilient family who cares foreach other.”I’m actually quite jealous of you, Beau thought to himself.He didn’t say the words out loud because there was only so much he could dealwith in one night.
“Whatdoyourparents think?” Ethan asked, pulling away and turning to look athim.
Well,fuck. It didn’t look like Beau was going to get away from the subject muchlonger.
“Theydon’t know.”
“Youhaven’t told them?”
Surprisingly,Ethan didn’t sound judgmental, just curious.
Beaudecided to tell him the truth. “I haven’t told my parents a lot of things.”Glancing out at the darkened tree line behind Ethan’s head, Beau continued,“Ever since I failed my father, we haven’t had much of a relationship.”
“Failedhim how?”
“Football.When I shattered my arm, I knew it would never be the same. I knew from the dayI emerged from surgery that I wasn’t going to be able to throw the same way. Iwas right.”
“Thatwasn’t your fault.”
“Butit was,” Beau said defensively. “I’m the one who got in the truck. I’m the onewho knew how dangerous it was to be out on the roads after the ice storm. Ibrought it on myself. And I ruined my football career with one dumbassdecision.”
Therefore,Beau had officially ruined his relationship with his father.
